Academic Awards
International Studies majors and minors are consistently recognized for academic excellence, community service, and leadership while at Boston College. We are proud to acknowlege their recognition in these and other categories.
Hailey Burgess
Matthew Eckstein
Naseem Moussavian
2017 graduates
[list to come]
2016 graduates
[list to come]
Previous PBK scholars list to come
[list to come]
Boston College awards Latin honors upon graduation to students based on cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA). Starting with the class of 2021, the cumulative average for degrees with honors will be as follows:
- summa cum laude (with the highest honors): 3.9 – 4.0 GPA
- magna cum laude (with high honors): 3.8 – 3.899 GPA
- cum laude (with honors): 3.667–3.799 GPA
(Prior to the class of 2021, summa cum laude was awarded to the top 4.5 percent of the graduating class; magna cum laude to the next 9.5 percent; and cum laude to the next 15 percent).
Please contact Student Services with questions concerning graduation honors.
All IS majors who complete a thesis will graduate with IS Program honors and earn a "BA in International Studies with Honors." This is distinct from Boston College academic honors such as Latin honors (see tab above).
Matteo Ricci, SJ
Students who submit a completed and approved thesis by April 15 are considered for the Matteo Ricci, SJ International Studies Thesis Prize, given to an exceptional IS thesis each year. The award is named in honor of 16th century Italian Jesuit Matteo Ricci, known for his nearly 30-year work in China as a scholar, scientist, and missionary.
Recent winners include:
2022: Saraphina Birtolo
“To Ignite the Firewall or Activate the Conveyor Belt: Exploring the Role of Nonviolent Islamist Organizations In Individual Radicalization” (Advisor: Prof. Peter Krause)
2021: Mariana Ferreira
"Why Do States Accept Refugees? A Case Study Analysis of the Latin American Policy Response to the Venezuelan Exodus" (Advisor: Prof. Jennie Purnell)
2020: Zoë Fanning
"Civilian Healthcare under Fire: International Healthcare Intervention in Post-Cold War Armed Conflicts" (Advisor: Prof. Jennifer Erickson)
Students with a cumulative GPA of 3.700 or higher are eligible to apply for the MCAS-wide Scholar of the College designation, which allows students to claim 9 or 12 credits for their thesis project, in exchange for increased expectations for depth and quality of work. Scholars of the College theses are eligible for the McCarthy Prizes (see below).
If you are interested in pursuing a Scholar of the College thesis, speak with your faculty advisor, thesis advisor, and the IS Program thesis coordinator (Prof. Nakazato) in the Spring or Summer before senior year.
Applications for a 12-credit SOC thesis are due to the MCAS Dean's Office the the first week of the fall semester; applications for the 9-credit SOC thesis are due in mid-December.
Recent IS majors who completed a Scholar of the College theses:
Wenwei (Mary) Su '22
Zoë Fanning '20
Julia Bloechl '20
[2015-2019 Scholars of the College to be noted asap]
Narintohn Luangrath '14
Caroline Ceriello '13
Kevin Savage '13
Chris Fitzpatrick '13
Kevin Moran '11
Sean Comber '10
Scholars of the College who submit a completed and approved thesis by April 15 may be considered for a McCarthy Prize, given to the best Morrissey College thesis project in each of the Natural Sciences, the Social Sciences, and the Humanities. McCarthy Prizes are awarded at the Scholars Banquet and recognized at the university's Commencement Awards Ceremony.