Scholarship Opportunities
The division invites all undergraduate majors, minors and graduate students to consider these awards. The awards vary in purposes, eligibility requirements, selection criteria and award items so please read the detailed descriptions below to determine if a particular award is right for you. Remember, these awards are competitive so, if required, submit materials that are complete and reflect your best work. Students are welcome to inquire about these awards at the division office (657-278-3521). Please email your filled out form to pajdiv@fullerton.edu
POLITICAL SCIENCE
PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AWARDS
OUTSTANDING UNDERGRADUATE PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION MAJOR
Graduating undergraduate students in public administration. This award is given to the student whose overall academic performance, including but not limited to courses in the major, distinguishes him or her as academically outstanding. The Division may elect not to issue this award. Selection process: No action by student. The student is nominated and selected by the Public Administration faculty. Award: Certificate of recognition
IVAN RICHARDSON PRIZE
Graduating undergraduate students in public administration or political science. The Richardson Prize is awarded to the public administration or political science undergraduate major who demonstrates exceptional public service, university service, or both, beyond normal degree requirements, while pursuing an undergraduate degree. The student is nominated and selected by the Public Administration and Political Science faculty. Award: $ varies and certificate of recognition.
CRAIG PEREZ PRIZE
Graduating students in political science. The Perez Prize is awarded for the most outstanding paper written by an upper division Political Science major in an upper division Political Science course during the two preceding semesters prior to the giving of the award. Essays are nominated by Political Science faculty and the winning essay is selected by an ad hoc committee of Political Science faculty. The Division may elect not to issue this award. Award: Certificate of recognition.
KARL H. KAHRS AWARD
Upper level (junior or senior) undergraduate and graduate student in political science or public administration with a minimum 3.0 GPA who will be studying abroad in an EU country the following academic year. Karl H. Kahrs, Professor of Political Science Emeritus specializing in Germany and the EU, served in the department of political science for over 30 years. This award is given to a political science or public administration student(s) who study abroad in the EU. Selection process: Eligible students must submit an essay detailing how a study abroad will help their PS/PA education, a letter of recommendation from a professor in the division of Politics, Administration and Justice, and a copy of a current transcript. Award: Up to $450 and a certificate of recognition.
OUTSTANDING M.A. IN POLITICAL SCIENCE STUDENT
Graduating M.A. students in political science. This award is given to a student whose overall academic performance, including grades and performance on the written and oral exams, distinguishes him or her as academically outstanding. The student is nominated and selected upon the advice of Political Science faculty serving on student graduate committees and the program adviser. The Division may elect not to issue this award. Award: Certificate of recognition.
OUTSTANDING UNDERGRADUATE POLITICAL SCIENCE MAJOR
Graduating undergraduate students in political science Description: This award is given to the student whose overall academic performance, including but not limited to courses in the major, distinguishes him or her as academically outstanding. The Division may elect not to issue this award. The student designated is nominated and selected by Political Science faculty with the approval of the Executive Committee of the Division of Politics, Administration and Justice. Award: Certificate of recognition.
JULIAN F.S. FOSTER AWARD
Graduating undergraduate students in the area of political philosophy. This award is presented to student who has done the most outstanding work in the area of political philosophy. The student is nominated and selected by faculty teaching in political philosophy. Award: Certificate of recognition.
PANETTA INSTITUTE FELLOWSHIP
Graduating undergraduate students in political science. Even though the recipient of the Panetta award is not determined by the division, the award is given to a graduating political science major and announced at commencement. The Institute describes its purpose as follows: The Panetta Institute, established in December 1998, serves as a non-partisan center for the study of public policy aimed at helping our communities and our country meet the challenges of the 21st Century. In addition, we seek to attract thoughtful men and women, equip them with the practical skills of governance, and inspire them to a high standard of conduct in public service. The university selects the recipient of this award. Award: Certificate of recognition.
SIDNEY BALDWIN AWARD
Graduating MPA students. The Baldwin Award is given annually to the outstanding MPA student in the graduating class. The awardee is selected by the Department of Public Administration coordinator and Committee after considering students' academic record, including grades, performance on the comprehensive exams, and contribution to the MPA program. Award: Certificate of recognition
IRVING STONE AWARD
The Stone award is given for the most outstanding paper written during the previous year by a graduate student in an MPA course. Application process: Students and faculty may submit papers. The awardee is determined by the Department Public Administration Committee after reading essays submitted for consideration. The Division may elect not to issue this award. Award: Certificate of recognition.
MODEL UNITED NATIONS OUTSTANDING DELEGATE
Graduating undergraduate student who participated in PS 461. Description: The recipient based on the following additional criteria: (a) quality of position paper, (b) skill in advocating the assigned country's position in the New York MUN Conference and other MUN conferences if applicable, (c) constructive participation in committees at the MUN Conferences, and (d) proper use of the Rules of Process. The award is determined by faculty teaching Political Science 361 (Model United Nations) and Political Science 461 (The United Nations and Other International Organizations). The students in Political Science 461 will vote for their nominee for Outstanding Delegate. The student vote is non-binding but shall constitute a recommendation to be considered in designating the awardee. The awardee shall be approved by the Division Executive Committee. Award: Certificate of recognition.
HARVEY GRODY PUBLIC LAW AWARD
Graduating undergraduate political science and public administration majors who emphasized public law in his/her studies. The recipient of the award is designated by the public law faculty Award: Certificate of recognition.
MCCARTHY-POTTER PARADIGM SCHOLARSHIP
Funded by a Political Science alumna, Margaret McCarthy, and her husband, this award provides 5 thousand dollars to support one CSUF student to participate in the Sacramento Semester Program conducted every Spring semester at Sacramento State. The recipient of the award is selected among the applicants to the Sacramento Semester program and is based on the student's academic record, financial need, and the likelihood that the internship will provide the student with a substantial opportunity to further a career in politics and public service. Award: Up to $5,000 and a certificate of recognition.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE AWARDS
THE ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AWARD
This award is given to the student whose overall academic performance, including but not limited to courses in the major, distinguishes him or her as academically outstanding. The Division may elect not to issue this award. The student with the highest GPA within the criminal justice major as well as overall GPA at Cal State Fullerton is the final award recipient. Award: Up to $100, a certificate of recognition and placement of the student's name on a perpetual plaque.
THE DAN BYRNE AWARD
This award was created to honor the memory of Dan Byrnes, former Chief of Public Safety at Cal State Fullerton and is given to the graduating senior who shows the most promise of contributing to the field of law enforcement by pursuing a career as a sworn law enforcement officer/agent. Application process: Student applicants must prepare an essay of application. The final award recipient is chosen by the Byrnes Family. Award: Up to $1,000, a certificate of recognition and placement of the student's name on a perpetual plaque.
OUTSTANDING STUDENT LEADERSHIP & ACTIVITIES AWARD
This award is given to a student in Criminal Justice who excels in applied Criminal Justice, including success in community work, internships or service to the CSUF Criminal Justice Department. Application process: Student applicants must prepare an essay of no more than 500 words describing their service activities. The award recipient is selected by a panel of Criminal Justice faculty. Award: Up to $100 and a certificate of recognition.
THE WILLIAM HOBBS AWARD
Named after a Criminal Justice professor, this award is given to a student who has a primary interest in the study of law. The primary criterion in selecting the award recipient is "a totality of the circumstances approach." That is, criminal justice faculty with a special interest in law will select the student whom they feel has demonstrated the highest level of excellence with regard to law related coursework and activities while at CSUF. Award: Up to $100 and a certificate of recognition.
THE W. GARRET CAPUNE (FOUNDING CHAIR) AWARD
Named after a Criminal Justice professor, the recipient of this award is selected for both for a distinguished academic record and for an involved service record that includes community work, internships or service to the CSUF Criminal Justice Department. The student is nominated and selected by the Criminal Justice faculty. Award: A certificate of recognition.
ROSE SULLIVAN AND REBECCA MORALES MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP in CRIMINAL JUSTICE
Amount: Two awards of $500. Established by: The department scholarship was established by Dr. Ed Sullivan in order to assist adult re-entry students majoring in Criminal Justice. Open to: Typical characteristics of an adult reentry student can be one or all of the following; they are a parent, twenty five years of age or older, a veteran, have delayed enrollment or taken a break from higher education, and employed full or part time. Criteria: Successful candidates are currently enrolled in classes, are in good academic standing, and will return for at least one additional semester.
