The Psychology Honors program enables Psychology majors to complete a supervised research project during the student’s senior year (or Junior year if graduating early). The Honors program is a great opportunity to have an honors level research experience before graduation. Honors classes will be recorded on students’ final transcripts indicating selection into this elite program.
Selected students work directly with a faculty sponsor on a research project as an independent study and complete whatever final assessment is determined suitable by the faculty sponsor (e.g., written thesis, conference presentation). Throughout the year, Honors students will also take a 3-quarter Honors Seminar where they will get more in-depth research training and knowledge, complete hands-on workshops with fellow Honors students designed to develop critical thinking and research skills, and present their findings in poster form at Psych Night (the Psychology Department’s annual research expo) in late May/early June.
Eligibility Requirements
- Minimum overall GPA 3.3
- Minimum Psychology GPA 3.5
- Supervision commitment from faculty sponsor (and faculty signature on application form)
- Completion of PSY 240, 241, 242 with no less than one A and two Bs
- Understanding of research area and feasibility of proposed research (as evidenced in application)
Procedure for Enrollment
- Students submit a formal application to the Honors coordinator, Dr. Christine Reyna.
- Students accepted into the program register for 3 quarters in a zero-credit independent study course: PSY 391 Department Honors Thesis with their faculty sponsor as the instructor (by instructor permission).
- Students will also register for 3 quarters totaling 4 required credits (0-4 credits per quarter) of PSY 396 Honors in Psychology with the Honors coordinator as the instructor (by instructor permission).
Selected students will receive confirmation and instructions on how to register for these classes.