Thesis format
Article-based thesis - please see our Psychology 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 with appointments at the University of Utah are eligible to be faculty thesis mentors. Post-doctoral fellows may also be eligible, pending approval of the Departmental Honors Liaison for Psychology.
Note: Research active members of the greater University of Utah community such as the VA Affiliates are both permitted and encouraged, not restricted only to traditional faculty members on lower campus.
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.
While we hope the research process is a collaborative process reflecting how research is actually conducted in the field, at this time we do require an written document originally produced by the individual student. Data collection and research topics may be collaborative, though communication with the DHL is important in these situations.
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 thesi
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.
Major-specific Thesis Proposal Process
The Honors College requires Thesis Proposal/Registration by the end of the third year. If your major has a separate additional Thesis Proposal Process, it is detailed here.
Psychology honors students are additionally required to submit a Phase 5 Application the semester prior to starting the two-semester thesis course sequence (4998 and 4999). The phase 5 application is due approximately 6 weeks AFTER the Honors College Thesis Registration. Please visit https://psych.utah.edu/undergraduate/honors/honors-reqs.php for specific due dates for upcoming semesters.
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.