There are a number of annual awards and opportunities for political science majors. Interested students should contact Professor Matt Streb, Director Undergraduate Studies, Zulauf 412, 815-753-7046.
Note: There are no application or submission procedures for these awards.
This honor is presented annually to the graduating senior majoring in political science who has achieved both a strong record of scholarship (e.g. high grade point average) and made outstanding contributions to the university community. The recipient is awarded a certificate of achievement and a check for $150 at the department's commencement ceremony.
Graduating political science majors completing the Department's honors program, which includes a high cumulative grade point average, special coursework in the junior year, and a quality honors thesis in the senior year, are recognized at the department's commencement ceremony. Each recipient is given a special gold cord that identifies a student as someone graduating with department honors.
The Wilkinson Award was established to honor the memory of Professor Joe Wilkinson, who joined NIU's Political Science Department in 1968 after a distinguished career in the U.S. Department of State. Following Professor Wilkinson's death in 1971 at the age of 39, his family and friends established this memorial award to honor the graduating senior majoring in political science with the highest cumulative grade point average. The recipient is awarded a certificate of achievement and a check for $150 at the department's commencement ceremony. In addition, the student's name is engraved on a permanent plaque that hangs in the Department's main office.
The purpose of the Pi Sigma Alpha Honor Society is to promote the study of political science in the United States through the encouragement and recognition of excellence in scholarship. The Pi Sigma Alpha Honor Society was founded at the University of Texas in 1920 and has grown to over 440 chapters in universities and colleges across the United States. The new members of NIU's own chapter, called Epsilon Zeta chapter, are selected on the following criteria. They must be political science majors who achieved a grade of "B" or "A" in all of their 12 or more political science courses and their overall academic record places them in the upper one-third of their collegiate class. At the Department's commencement ceremony, each new member receives a certificate of membership in Pi Sigma Alpha from the national office and their names are enrolled on Pi Sigma Alpha's membership rolls. Membership in academic honor society is a worthy accomplishment. Upon request, the national office will write letters to prospective employers or graduate schools verifying membership.
Graduating political science majors with cumulative grade point averages of 3.0 to 3.49 are recognized as "Political Science Scholars" at the department's commencement ceremony. Each recipient is awarded a special certificate of achievement.
Graduating political science majors with cumulative grade point averages of 3.5 and above on a scale of zero to 4.0 are recognized as "Political Science Students of Distinction" at the department's commencement ceremony. Each recipient is awarded a special certificate of achievement.
The Student Conference on United States (SCUSA) is a four-day undergraduate student conference that is held at the United States Military Academy (USMA) at West Point, New York each November. It is the largest and most prestigious undergraduate conference of its kind in the United States. During the conference, visiting student delegates from top universities across the United States and overseas sit on 16 functional and geographic roundtables, where they discuss with leading scholars and practitioners what U.S. foreign policy should be in these issue areas and regions.
The USMA provides student delegates with free meals and lodging. Students live with the cadets during their stay. The Department provides travel support to the student delegate. The highlight of SCUSA is a formal banquet with a prestigious keynote speaker. Past keynote speakers have been former secretaries of state, ambassadors, national security officials, and international dignitaries, such as the United Nations secretary general. The overall purpose of SCUSA is to promote academic discussion of United States foreign policy, increase student appreciation for the complex nature of the policy-making process, and foster understanding among the nation and world's future military and civilian leaders.
The Department of Political Science is allowed to send one delegate each year to represent NIU at this conference. There is no formal selection process. One outstanding student is invited to participate. Past student delegates have been political science majors with an emphasis in international politics, senior class standing, a high cumulative grade point average, a strong interest in a career or graduate study in international relations, and excellent achievement in courses related to the conference, such as POLS 382 and POLS 388.
Full tuition scholarship for an academic year, which may be renewed for additional year with the approval of the Inez H. Nelson Scholarship Committee. Its purpose is to assist worthy undergraduates who wish to study international relations and to encourage research on the role of smaller countries within the international community.
Applicants for the Inez H. Nelson Family Scholarship must:
Hold junior or senior status during the year in which the scholarship is used, and must be enrolled as a full-time undergraduate, degree-seeking student at Northern Illinois University during the fall and spring semesters of that year.
Shall submit a one to two page statement of interest that discusses the applicant’s past interest in international relations; enumerates past course work in international relations; and discusses future plans relevant to international relations. Applicants should include their mailing address, telephone number, e-mail address, grade point average, and their student identification number in their statement of interest.
Shall submit a one page proposal for a work of original research related to one of the following topics:
(The proposed work must be completed during the recipient’s term as an Inez H. Nelson Scholar and should be submitted for consideration for publication. Independent study credit may be issued for the project through the Department of Political Science, or any another participating department.)
Preference may be given to applicants who demonstrate financial need as determined by federal financial standards. While applicant need not be of Swedish descent, preference may be given to students of Swedish descent. Scholarships shall be awarded to U.S. citizens without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, age, sex, or national origin.
Application materials should be submitted to: Chair, Inez H. Nelson Scholarship Committee, c/o the Department of Political Science, 415 Zulauf Hall, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL 60115-2887.
Normally the deadline for applications is in March. For the specific deadline in any given year, please contact the undergraduate studies secretary in 415 Zulauf Hall or the director of undergraduate studies.
The McKeough Award honors Kevin McKeough, a professor specializing in American politics, who retired from the Political Science Department in 1999 after 30 years of service. The award acknowledges the importance of political participation in our society, and it encourages excellence in that participation. The award brings with it a certificate, recognition at the department's annual commencement ceremony, and a monetary stipend of $100. In addition, the recipient’s name will be inscribed on a plaque in the department's main office.
The McKeough Award is given each year to the political science major or minor who has made an outstanding contribution to the political process while at NIU through work in political campaigns, interest group activity, election to public office, or work in government agencies. Juniors and seniors are eligible.
Applicants must submit a cover letter of no less than 250 words describing their political participation and its impact, a copy of their transcript, and a letter from a person knowledgeable about their political participation. The letter must clearly describe the applicant’s accomplishments and contributions to the political process. Please note that participation in student government does not count toward the award. Candidates must have earned at least a 2.5 GPA in political science courses.
Although political participation through a departmental internship is strongly encouraged, it is not a prerequisite for this award. Academic credit may be earned for internship activities if arrangements are made before the internship begins.
Applicants should send the cover letter, transcript, and letter of recommendation to the Director of Undergraduate Studies, Department of Political Science, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL 60115.
Normally the deadline for applications is in March. For the specific deadline in any given year, please contact the undergraduate studies secretary in 415 Zulauf Hall or the director of undergraduate studies.
The Political Science Student Advisory Committee (POLS-SAC) is a group of student leaders that acts as a liaison between the department’s faculty and undergraduate students. The committee serves as a mechanism for program evaluation and improvement. It solicits and provides student input on proposed policy changes within the department’s undergraduate program, and may initiate proposed changes for consideration by the appropriate faculty committees. POLS-SAC may independently or in conjunction with other department groups organize and administer special events and activities related to the study and practice of political science. In the past, POLS-SAC played an important role in the hiring of a new faculty member.
Its membership includes at least one political science major from each of the department’s four undergraduate emphases (international politics, politics, public administration & service, and public law), one representative from each student organization that has been affiliated with the department for two consecutive years and has 20 or more members, and two at-large members. Each POLS-SAC member will serve for one academic year and may serve no more than three terms. POLS-SAC meets at least twice a semester, but can be convened more frequently if necessary.
Phi Sigma Zeta Political Science Fraternity, the Political Science/Pre-Law/Public Administration Dormitory Floor, Model Illinois Government, and Model United Nations will designate an existing officer or another member in good standing to serve as their POLS-SAC representatives. To represent one of the undergraduate emphases or serve as an at-large member, a student must be a political science major with at least a sophomore status. Interested students must complete and submit a self-nomination form by the appropriate deadline. The deadline is normally in October. Forms are circulated in political science classes or can be obtained from the undergraduate studies secretary. Based on a review of completed forms, the chair of the political science department will appoint one representative from each emphasis for which there is an applicant and two at-large representatives.
The Department of Political Science recognizes, on an annual basis, outstanding undergraduate papers written in conjunction with 300-400 level political science courses or directed studies, such as independent studies or honors theses. Winners are expected to attend the Department’s spring graduation ceremony where they will receive a certificate and a check for $50.00.
There is no requirement as to the length of papers submitted for the award. Often the Department awards prizes for both an outstanding short paper and an outstanding long paper. The number and types of awards is dependent upon the papers submitted for consideration in any given year. Authors do not have to be political science majors or have a particular class standing.
Only papers written in the previous calendar can be considered for the award. However, papers completed in the current spring semester are eligible for the following year’s competition even if the student has graduated.
Papers, which can be submitted by students or faculty, must be supplied in triplicate to the undergraduate studies secretary by February 28. All copies should have two cover pages – one with the student’s name and one without the student’s name. Direct any further questions to the director of undergraduate studies.
Phi Beta Delta is the Honor Society for International Scholars. Requirements for undergraduates include: junior or senior standing at time of election; at least 30 hours earned at NIU; a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or better; and successful international experience, such as study or research abroad.