Honors and Awards

Departmental Honors in the Major

Students pursuing departmental honors must complete 6 hours of ECON 495 culminating with an original work of research and an oral presentation.  Requirements for departmental honors are in addition to the coursework required for the major.  Students must complete ECON 495 with a grade of B or higher to receive departmental honors.  Economics majors who have completed 90 credits with an overall GPA of 3.50 and a GPA of 3.50 within the major are eligible to apply.  Not all applicants who meet the minimum requirements are guaranteed acceptance. 

Interested students should apply at least one month before the start of a new semester, preferably by August 1st for a fall semester start. The application is available in the link below:

 Honors Thesis Application 


Howard R. Bloch Memorial Scholarship & Thomas Sowell Scholarship

The Howard R. Bloch Memorial Scholarship(s) & Thomas Sowell Scholarships will be awarded to full-time undergraduate students majoring in Economics. In the recent past we have been able to give several awards between $1000 and $3000. Applicants will be selected on the basis of academic merit and financial need, and the process is open to international and domestic students. Applications can be obtained at the Office of Student Financial Aid - (Student Union 1, 4400 University Dr #1100, Fairfax, VA 22030)

Applications are due in May, and decisions will be made over the summer. Check with the Financial Aid office for more information on scholarships.


Awards for Academic Achievement

Each fall and spring, the department selects one student with the strongest academic record in the graduating class to receive the Howard R. Bloch Memorial Award.

Further, students graduating in the top 1% of the graduating class in terms of academic performance receive the Outstanding Academic Achievement Award.

The Economics Department also recognizes students graduating in the top 15% of the graduating class with the Excellence in Academic Achievement Award. 


Omicron Delta Epsilon --  International Honor Society in Economics

Graduating seniors who demonstrate academic excellence are invited to join Omicron Delta Epsilon, an international honor society in the field of economics. Please see the Omicron Delta Epsilon website for more information on the international organization and email the department at econbsba@gmu.edu for more information about our local chapter at Mason.


2024 NOBEL LAUREATE ESSAY AWARDS

2024 Essay Contest Submission Requirements and Deadline Date (click on the links below for the essay contest prompt links to read specific requirements for each essay contest):

In your email to Mary Getsey Bernier, attach your essay to your email and follow the submission requirements:

Essay files must be submitted in the following format:

•        First Name_Last Name_Name of Essay_G#

•        Include the name of the essay contest in the subject of your email

Submit essays by email (attach your essay as a PDF file) to mbernier@gmu.edu no later than Monday, March 18th, 2024, before 11:59 PM, EST.

Note: No late submissions will be accepted.

Essay winners will be contacted by the Department of Economics by email.


James Buchanan Award

This contest is open to all undergraduate economics majors and minors. Prior award winners are ineligible for this contest. The award's 1st prize is $500 and 2nd prize is $250. To enter the contest, the student must write an essay discussing how public choice theory applies to an everyday problem. 

James Buchanan Essay Contest 2024 Prompt

FA Hayek Award in Austrian Economics

This contest is open to all undergraduate economics majors or minors. Prior award winners are ineligible for this contest. The award's 1st prize is $500 and 2nd prize is $250. To enter the contest, the student must write an essay on the topic chosen for that year. 

FA Hayek Essay Contest 2024 Prompt

Vernon Smith Award

This contest is open to all undergraduates who are currently enrolled in any 100-level Economics class during the current spring semester. Prior award winners are ineligible for this contest.  The award's 1st prize is $500 and 2nd prize is $250.  To enter the contest, the student must write an essay discussing how economics and individual liberty promote individual and societal well-being. 

Vernon Smith Essay Contest 2024 Prompt