Omicron Delta Epsilon: Economics Honor Society
Graduating with Honors in Economics
Professional Practice/Internships
Undergraduate Teaching Assistants
The Department of Economics offers a number of scholarship opportunities and awards to outstanding undergraduate students. These scholarships and awards are made possible through generous contributions by alumni and friends. Follow the links provided below for detailed information and application forms.
F. Russell Glasener-Economics Advisory Board Scholarship (pdf)
All undergraduate economics majors with between 75 and 90 hours of academic credit at the time of application are eligible to apply. Preference will be given to applicants with a strong academic record. In addition, established financial need will be viewed favorably.
(Application Deadline: March 30, 2008)
Scott M. Elliott Undergraduate Scholarship (pdf)
Established in 2007 to provide support to a student in economics who has exhibited academic excellence. Economics majors with between 75 and 90 hours of academic credit at the time of application are eligible to apply. Preference will be given to applicants that have established an outstanding academic record.
(Application Deadline: March 30, 2008)
Undergraduate Research Award for Best Capstone Paper (pdf)
This award program was established to promote and recognize the scholarly contributions of undergraduate students and their faculty advisors to the field of economics. All undergraduate capstone projects completed during the Fall/Spring academic year are eligible for consideration.
Faculty submissions on behalf of students will be evaluated based on (1) nature, relevance and importance of the questions addressed in the project; (2) appropriateness of methods used; and (3) overall organization, readability and clarity of the paper.
(Application Deadline: March 30, 2008)
About Omicron Delta Epsilon Honor Society
Omicron Delta Epsilon (ODE) is one of the world’s largest academic honor societies. The objectives of Omicron Delta Epsilon are recognition of scholastic attainment and the honoring of outstanding achievements in economics; the establishment of closer ties between students and faculty in economics within colleges and universities, and among colleges and universities; the publication of its official journal, The American Economist, and sponsoring of panels at professional meetings as well as the Irving Fisher and Frank W. Taussig competitions.
Currently, Omicron Delta Epsilon has 578 chapters located in the United States, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, Mexico, Puerto Rico, South Africa, Egypt, France, and United Arab Emirates. With such a broad, international base, chapter activities vary widely, ranging from invited speakers, group discussions, dinners, meetings, etc., to special projects such as review sessions and tutoring for students in economics.
Omicron Delta Epsilon plays a prominent role in the annual Honors Day celebrations at many colleges and universities. For more information on ODE, go to www.Omicrondeltaepsilon.org.
Applying for Omicron Delta Epsilon Membership
To become a member of Omicron Delta Epsilon, you must apply for membership through the chapter at your school, and you must fulfill the eligibility requirements set out below. The minimum requirements for admission for undergraduates are:
1) completion of 12 semester hours of economics courses; and
2) attainment of at least a “B” average in economics courses
and an overall “B” average in all classes.
3) Students do not have to be economics majors, but must have a genuine
interest in economics in addition to meeting the above requirements.
Graduate students in Economics are judged solely on their graduate work. They must have completed one semester of full time work, with attainment of a “B” or better average.
The Economics department is currently in the process reactivating its chapter of ODE. Additional information will be forthcoming at a later date.
Candidates for honors in Economics must fulfill the general requirements for participation in the University Honors Program and must be Economics majors with a grade point average of 3.30 overall and 3.75 or higher in Economics courses. Students will be expected to complete 6 hours of course work designated as honors course work within the Department of Economics. These could include ECO 105 honors and in-course honors at the 200- or 300-level. The in-course honors requires individual negotiation with a faculty member teaching the course.
In addition, the achievement of honors requires the writing of a substantial original paper. The student will enroll in Independent Honors Study, ECO 299, for 3 hours credit and will receive help from an assigned faculty member. At the end of the semester the student will make an oral presentation of the paper to a meeting of Department faculty and students. One copy of the original paper will be kept in the Department office and be available for inspection. Honors credit will show on the official transcript and will be stated on the diploma.
Students majoring or minoring in Economics also have the option of earning academic credit for an approved internship experience. The minimum requirements for enrolling in ECO 398 Professional Practice: Internship in Economic Research include status as an Economics major or minor, a cumulative GPA of 2.2, and 50 hours of academic credit completed at the time of application. Academic credit is earned at the rate of one credit hour for each 50 hours worked. To receive permission to enroll in ECO 398, a student must first submit a completed application form to the Economics office and receive the approval of the Department’s Professional Practice Coordinator. Successful applicants will be completing an internship or professional practice experience that requires the use of decision-making and critical-thinking skills.
The Economics department offers approximately four undergraduate teaching assistantships (UTAs) each academic year. Successful applicants are selected on a competitive basis. UTAs are assigned to a faculty member in the Department. The position involves 10 hours of work per week and pays $6.50 per hour. In addition, UTAs can register for 3 hours of credit for ECO 291. To be eligible, you must have at least a 2.75 GPA and have taken at least 2 ECO classes.
Applications are accepted in March of each year. A completed application
form must be submitted to the Economics department office in 106 Williams
Hall. Applicants will be informed of the results of the application process
by April 28.