Honors in Psychology
WHY WOULD I WANT TO BECOME A PSYCHOLOGY HONORS STUDENT?
You are really interested in learning first-hand what scientific psychology is all about. Reading about it is one thing, doing it is the real thing!
You want a one-on-one research mentorship with an accomplished faculty member in the Psychology Department. And you are ready to work hard!
Especially if you aspire to graduate school and a career in psychology, you will want to stand out as one who can excel in research. Admission to graduate programs in psychology is very competitive, so you want to demonstrate that, as an undergraduate, you have what it takes to succeed. Your diploma from the University will state that your B.S. is with Honors.
WHAT ARE THE ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR THE HONORS PROGRAM IN PSYCHOLOGY?
You are academically eligible if you have a 3.25 overall grade-point average AND a 3.50 average in your psychology major (with no Incomplete grades) AND you've completed Psychology 201, 317, 318, and 497, as well as nine additional hours in psychology.
The Undergraduate Program office (MGB 246) has a form to fill out and give to the Chair of the Honors Committee. This form is also in the Honors Manual.
WHAT DO I DO TO COMPLETE THE PSYCHOLOGY HONORS PROGRAM?
Over the course of the three semesters, you do the following:
First, early in your junior year (or before), you discuss your interests with a Psychology faculty member who agrees to be your research supervisor next semester for Psychology 497 ("Supervised Research"). In 497, you develop your thesis research idea and work on the development of your research proposal. In addition to meeting regularly with your faculty supervisor, you attend and participate in the required seminar for the class.
The second semester, if you meet all the admission requirements, you apply for the Honors program. You enroll in Psychology 487 (Honors I), present your proposal to the Honors Committee, and begin your thesis research. You continue to work with your supervisor and participate in the course seminar.
In the third semester, you take Psychology 488 (Honors II), complete your thesis, and present it in a "thesis defense" to the Psychology Honors Committee.As usual, you participate in the seminar.
You may take any of these classes in the summer, but no seminar is held.
