FAQs

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• Am I eligible for the senior honors thesis?

  Thesis students should be prepared to undertake rigorous, self-paced research. Students must meet GPA eligibility requirements, secure a thesis director, and gain approval from both the department and the Honors College. There are several documents required for participation. Visit the How to Apply page for details.

• I do not have any research experience. Can I participate in the thesis program?

  The Senior Honors Thesis program does not require the student to have any formal research experience. Instead, it offers an opportunity for students to gain this experience, undertaking an in-depth, mentored research project, and honing their skills in research, analysis, and writing. A student should reflect on the kind of preparation they have developed in previous coursework and speak with a faculty mentor about their confidence in undertaking the research year.

• I do not meet the GPA requirements. Can I still enroll in the thesis program?

  Please review the eligibility requirements on the How to Apply page and note the fine print on the Verification of Eligibility (VOE) form. It asks that when the student is ready to submit the VOE to the director of undergraduate studies of their major department, a separate email of support is also sent by the proposed thesis director on behalf of the student to both the director of undergraduate students and to Dr. Rikki Bettinger.

• My department registered me for the class, but I've never corresponded with OURMA. Do I still need to apply to participate in the program?

  Yes. Students should not be registered in thesis coursework until after their participation is approved by both their department and the OURMA. Registration in thesis course hours does not guarantee enrollment in the Senior Honors Thesis Program. This program is coordinated by the Office of Undergraduate Research and Major Awards on behalf of the Honors College and students will not receive an Honors Reader or an Honors designation without collaboration through OURMA. The first step is completing the Verification of Eligibility form. Review the How to Apply page to learn more.

• My prospective thesis director is not a professor in the department of my major. Can they still be my thesis director?

  In most cases, students pursue a thesis working with a professor in their major department, sometimes receiving credit towards their degree (not in all cases, check with your academic advisor). In a small number of circumstances, a student might have clear reasons to pursue a thesis with a director outside of their major department. This will have implications on their course registration procedure, their thesis committee makeup, and their degree plan. Students in this case should reach out to Dr. Rikki Bettinger directly, providing their PSID, major, prospective thesis director, and their reasons for pursuing a thesis outside of their major department.

• Will I receive credit hours for my thesis? How many?

  The standard senior honors thesis course is courses 3399 and 4399. Each are three hours for a total of six credit hours over two semesters. *Architecture students: please note there is a different course sequence in CoAD.

• How many professors are on my thesis committee? Can I pick my Honors Reader?

  Three, and No. Prior to beginning the senior honors thesis coursework, the thesis student develops their prospectus under the mentorship of their thesis director. They also seek out a Second Reader to join their thesis committee. The thesis director and the second reader both approve of the prospectus prior to the semester start, signing the Prospectus Approval Form. OURMA then assigns an Honors Reader to the students’ committee following receipt of the prospectus and approval form. Honors Readers are assigned to students’ committees based on discipline, topic, and availability.

• How long does my thesis need to be?

  Please review the College-Specific Information page for details specific to your discipline.

• Who is my college contact?

  Please review the College-Specific Information page for details specific to your discipline.

• When do I need to contact my college?

  You should review the College-Specific Information page prior to beginning your thesis to familiarize yourself with the expectations and procedures specific to your college. We recommend you revisit this information at the start of the second thesis semester to confirm your college’s filing deadline. Finally, you will reach out to your college thesis liaison following your defense when you are ready to submit your final thesis for college approval. Each student is responsible for tracking their own college submission deadline.

• What deadlines do I need to know?

  There are several deadlines at different stages of the thesis process, from the semester prior to beginning the thesis all the way through a student’s graduation. These deadlines are explained in detail in the sections above and students should take care to review each stage thoroughly. Broadly answered, the deadlines include:

  • Submitting the Verification of Eligibility by December 1 or May 15 of the semester prior to beginning the thesis.
  • Submitting to OURMA the prospectus, Prospectus Approval Form signed by the first and second reader, and the Thesis Checklist, prior to the start of the semester in which the student begins the thesis coursework.
  • Submitting the defense-ready thesis to the committee a minimum of two weeks prior to the defense.
  • Submitting the Final Defense and Evaluation Form to OURMA following the successful defense.
  • Submitting the revised and final thesis and the Final Defense and Evaluation Form to the college thesis liaison by the college-specific filing deadline.
  • Submitting the final thesis to the electronic submission portal by the end of the term.

• Do I have to pay for a bound copy of my thesis?

  The Honors College does not require a printed and bound copy of your thesis, but some colleges or departments do. Please follow the guidance of your college thesis liaison. If you participated in the Writing Studio program, you will receive an email with instructions for how to use your $150 voucher toward printing and binding costs. This voucher can be used toward personal or university copies!

• Do I have to be a member of the Honors College to receive the Honors in Major designation?

  No. Prior membership in the Honors College is not required to be a part of the Senior Honors Thesis Program. Students who successfully complete the thesis program graduate with an Honors designation and are invited to the Honors College Medallion Ceremony held in May. Students should monitor their university email for an invitation from the Honors College to the Medallion Ceremony and be prepared to RSVP no later than mid-April.

• Who do I contact if I have a question about the thesis program?

  Questions about the Senior Honors Thesis Program may be directed to Dr. Rikki Bettinger or the Office of Undergraduate Research and Major Awards.