English Honors

Honors Program Director: Dr. Rebecca Roeder

Honors Program Assistant Director: Dr. Maya Socolovsky

Honors Program Assistant: Kestrel McCarthy

Overview

The English Honors Program provides a supportive, intellectually rigorous environment for motivated students who want to go beyond coursework and pursue independent research. Working closely with faculty, students complete advanced seminar work and design an original Honors thesis on a topic of their choosing. Along the way, they participate in a community of scholars through seminars, talks, and program events.

English Honors prepares students for graduate study, creative and professional work, and other paths that require strong analytical, research, and communication skills.

What You Gain from English Honors

The program combines faculty mentorship, independent research, and professional development opportunities that extend beyond the traditional English major.

Conduct Independent Research

  • Design and complete a faculty-mentored Honors thesis 
  • Develop expertise in a specific area of English Studies 
  • Produce a substantial writing sample for graduate school or job applications 

Work Closely with Faculty

  • Collaborate one-on-one with a faculty advisor over an extended period 
  • Receive individualized feedback on research and writing 
  • Build relationships that support strong letters of recommendation 

Share Your Work

  • Present your research at a conference or colloquium, or submit your work to a journal 
  • Participate in events such as the EGSA Symposium or other academic venues 
  • Develop skills in public speaking and/or research communication 

Graduate with Distinction

  • Earn Honors designation on your transcript 
  • Be recognized at the English Department Awards Ceremony 
  • Receive and wear an English Honors medallion at graduation 

Join a Community of Scholars

  • Take part in Honors seminars with other highly motivated students 
  • Attend departmental talks and events that introduce you to the field’s professional culture 
  • Participate in optional program gatherings and Honors events 

Prepare for What Comes Next

  • Build a strong foundation for graduate study in English or related fields 
  • Develop transferable skills in analysis, writing, and argumentation 
  • Strengthen applications for careers in education, publishing, law, nonprofit work, and more 

What our students say

English Honors students pursue independent research, present their work, and work closely with faculty mentors. Here’s how they describe the experience:

Brendan Pearce | Graduated Spring 2026

Brendan is currently pursuing his Master’s in English here at UNC Charlotte. He is grateful for his time in the English Honors Program, describing his thesis as a bedrock for his academic and extracurricular pursuits. In particular, it has encouraged him to engage more readily with his professors. He highly recommends English Honors to anyone striving for graduate school.

Gabriella (Gabby) Pinto | Graduated Spring 2026

Since graduating from the English Honors Program, Gabby has moved to Wilmington to pursue a career as a technical writer for ServiceNow, a digital workflow company. In this role, she draws on the writing skills she learned in the Honors Program daily, ensuring that documentation for user products is clear and meets company standards. In her words, “I genuinely can’t imagine doing this job without that foundation.”

Program Structure

English Honors is typically completed over two semesters and has two required courses. In their first semester of the program, students begin with ENGL 4751 or ENGL 4752:

ENGL 4751: English Honors Thesis Seminar (3)

In-depth study of a selected topic in English Studies, along with research methods guidance. Topics and content vary according to the interests and expertise of the faculty. Students produce a thesis proposal and capstone thesis project.

ENGL 4752: English Honors Thesis (3): Independent Study

In-depth study of a selected topic in English Studies, working one-on-one with a thesis advisor. Students produce a thesis proposal and capstone thesis project.

In their second semester of the program, students take ENGL 4750:

ENGL 4750: English Honors Seminar (3) (compulsory)

In-depth study of a selected topic in English Studies. Topics and course content vary according to the interests and expertise of the faculty.

Sharing Your Work

Students complete the program by sharing their work through one of the following:

  • Presentation at the English Honors Colloquium 
  • Presentation at a conference 
  • Submission to a journal or other publication venue 

Events and Community

English Honors students are encouraged to engage with the intellectual life of the department:

  • Attend guest lectures, readings, and research talks 
  • Participate in Honors events and gatherings 
  • Present work in departmental or university venues 

These experiences help students develop a deeper understanding of the discipline and connect with faculty and peers.

Recognition and Awards

English Honors students are recognized for their achievements at the English Department Awards Ceremony, where they receive an Honors medallion. This distinction reflects their commitment to advanced research and academic excellence.

Eligibility and Admission

Entry into the English Honors program requires a GPA of 3.5 in ENGL courses and 3.0 overall. To graduate with Honors in English, undergraduate students are required to maintain a 4.0 GPA in Honors courses. 

Students interested in English Honors should:

  • Have a strong academic record in English coursework 
  • Demonstrate interest in research, writing, or advanced study 
  • Be prepared to undertake sustained independent work 

Contact and Next Steps

If you are interested in English Honors, we encourage you to reach out early to learn more about the program and how it can fit into your academic plans.

English Honors Director
Dr. Rebecca Roeder
rroeder@charlotte.edu

Honors students on the Fall 2025 Writing Retreat with Dr. Roeder and Dr. Rowney