The purpose of the Psychology Honors Program is to provide a challenging course of study for Psychology Majors with a distinguished academic record, a desire and commitment to devote a substantial amount of time in their senior year to doing an individually conceptualized and independent research project, and an interest in pursuing post-baccalaureate study in Psychology or related fields. Note the early deadline for admission into the Honors Program. Students apply to the Honors Program by November 1st of their junior year, and they are officially informed by the Department in mid-November as to whether or not they have been admitted. Some students who plan to participate in the Honors Program also plan to spend part or all of their junior year abroad.
Students can, with the approval of their primary advisor, take advantage of both opportunities.
I and II, students are expected to prepare a thesis proposal during the second semester of their junior year. This is often done in the context of an Independent Study course or through periodic, informal meetings with the Primary Advisor. In most cases, the thesis involves original, empirical or archival research, though theoretical studies may be permitted in exceptional instances. In the case of laboratory studies, the proposed design may be part of an ongoing project in the Primary Advisor's program of research. A copy of the thesis, accompanied with a letter of evaluation by the Primary Advisor and a brief assessment by an additional reader, must be submitted to the Department no later than mid-April of the year in which the student plans to graduate.