Walter Hall Scholars

Provide research and publication opportunities for our majors who are seriously contemplating a career as a Sociologist. For information about past Walter Hall Scholars click here.

In a typical year, the department plans to designate one Walter Hall Scholar. In some years, the department may designate two Walter Hall Scholars if the application pool is particularly strong, or none if no application merits the award.

Application

• Student consults with proposed mentor
• Student and mentor reach mutual consensus regarding research project
• Student submits application to be a Walter Hall Scholar
• Application due April 1, including research proposal (3-5 pages)

Decision

Faculty choose Walter Hall Scholar(s) based on quality of applications and available funds.

Courses

Priority will be given to students who have completed the following courses by the end of their junior year:

• Social Statistics
• Craft of Sociology or Research Methods

Research Stipend

Student receives $2,000 stipend, in return student agrees to:

• Reside in Houston
• Commit at least 20 hours a week to the research project
• Limit other employment to < 20 hours a week
• Goal: Complete rough draft of journal article before Fall classes start

Tasks include:

• Register for Independent Study (IS)
• Use IS to allow time for completion/polishing of paper
• Send paper off for review before end of semester
• Include paper in application package to graduate schools
• Present paper at Sociology Department brown bag

If warranted, and funds available, student presents paper at regional meeting.

Continue effort to publish paper (revise and resubmit or send to a new journal)