To graduate with Honors in Psychology, students must complete an Honors Thesis. An Honors Thesis is a research project that undergraduate students conduct largely on their own. Typically,students work with a professor to develop a research proposal, conduct a study, and write a research paper outlining the results. This work is then assessed by the supervising professor or an Honors Thesis committee consisting of at least two members. The committee members are Psychology faculty who are working in your area of interest or who are otherwise willing to serve on your committee. Application to undertake an Honor’s Thesis must be made to- and granted by- the Psychology Department before you begin. Many students take Independent Study credits the semester before they take Honor’s Thesis Credits to develop their research proposal.
Honors Thesis credits count as general upper division electives. They don’t count as the Psychology electives since they are 1) graded only on a Pass/Fail basis, 2) they don’t cover one specific area of Psychology. The only way to graduate with Honors in Psychology is by doing an Honors Thesis. Your thesis advisor will supply documentation for this to appear on your transcripts/diploma.
Several undergraduate students have completed Honors Thesis to earn the recognition of graduating with honors in Psychology. Examples of their work are available below.
Alcohol Use and Living Environment: The Relations among College Hispanic Women
Erika Aguilar, June 2007
Committee Members : Dr. Lindsay Ham (Faculty Advisor), Dr. Dionne Stephens
Honors Thesis Paper
Oral Presentation
Perceived discrimination and mental health outcomes
Kimberly Gray , June 2008
Committee Members : Dr. Leslie Frazier (Faculty Advisor), Dr. Stephen Charman, Dr. Dionne Stephens
Oral Presentation
