Thesis format

Article-based thesis - please see our Physcology Honors Track Handbook accessible here: https://psych.utah.edu/undergraduate/honors/

Who is eligible to be a faculty thesis mentor?

Both career-line and tenure-track faculty are eligible to be faculty thesis mentors.  Post-doctoral fellows may also be eligible, pending approval of the Departmental Honors Liaison for Psychology.

If a faculty mentor leaves the University before the thesis has been completed, the faculty mentor and the student need to work with the DHL to arrange for continuing or alternate supervision through thesis completion.

Are collaborative theses permitted?

A collaborative thesis is one where an Honors student works with one or more collaborators on the thesis.

At present, only single-author Honors Theses are permitted.  Students wishing to explore options for a collaborative thesis should consult with the DHL.

Are joint theses permitted?

A joint thesis is a single thesis that satisfies the requirements of multiple majors.

Yes, a joint thesis is permitted with the permission of the DHLs from both majors. The most frequent version of the joint thesis involves conducting an empirical study in psychology and then adding additional review and/or discussion (policy implications, philosophical discussions) to meet the requirements of the non-psychology major. Students are encouraged to consult with the relevant DHLs early in the process of thinking about a joint thesis.

How does the Honors Thesis relate to other aspects for the major?

Students are required to take both PSY 4998 and PSY 4999. Both courses support the student in preparing the thesis and offer additional resources for writing and data analysis and interpretation.

Additional information for students

Please see out Psychology Honors Track Handbook accessible here: https://psych.utah.edu/undergraduate/honors/ for more information about getting the required research experience credits, finding a faculty research advisor, sample schedules, and other tips.

Please see especially pages 9-11 of the handbook for the kinds of projects that may be completed for the Honors Thesis in Phychology and advise on developing a thesis topic.