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GRADUATING WITH HIGH/HIGHEST HONORS
Information provided by Professor Dean Simonton, Undergraduate Honors Advisor: This document provides information on the Department's College Honor Program beyond what's already given in the University Catalog. (See the following Psychology Department Application for 194HA-194HB for further explanation of GPA requirements.)
Please note that your paper will have to be evaluated by your sponsor and other departmental faculty. That requires at least a week lead time, and often longer. Please submit three copies of your thesis to me. On one of the copies attach a completed "Honors Thesis Cover Sheet," with your supervisor's comments included. If you wish quick feedback on the evaluation, you may include a stamped postcard or envelop as well.
1) As noted in the Catalog, you must take 6 units of course work dedicated to the Honors Project. These units must be spread across at least two different quarters. Usually these units will be taken through the 194H Honors course. Other upper-division courses can be offered under special circumstances. Please note that all courses submitted to fulfill this requirement must be within the Psychology Department. And in the case of non-194H courses, the Instructor must be aware that the units are toward completion of the Honors requirements.
2) Also as noted in the Catalog, you must complete an Honors Thesis. This will entail an original empirical investigation designed and executed by you. A review of the literature on some subject does not count. You should write up the thesis in the style of a scientific journal article (using style of the American Psychological Association). You may collaborate with a professor or even another student, but you must be the first author and primary investigator. By implication, only one person can gain credit for an Honors Thesis. In any case, whether you receive High or Highest Honors depends on the quality of that thesis. As a rough guide, to receive Highest Honors (Summa Cum Laude) the paper must be of "potentially publishable" quality. High Honors (Magna Cum Laude) is granted an acceptable thesis that does not satisfy that standard. If a thesis is unacceptable, and you still meet the grade stipulation, you will earn Honors (Cum Laude) by default. The professor who supervised your research will submit a recommendation on your behalf. This recommendation is not binding on the Committee, which must apply uniform criteria across all theses submitted.
- Theses are due no later than the last day of instruction of your graduating quarter.
- It is strongly recommend that you submit THREE COPIES of your thesis to Dean Simonton.
- Sample Theses are available in the Advising Office room 141 Young Hall.
- If you have any other questions, please ask. We will help you all that we can!