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Department of Psychology

Honors Program

FOR STUDENTS INTERESTED IN CONDUCTING A THESIS OR PARTICIPATING IN THE PSYCHOLOGY DEPARTMENT HONORS PROGRAM

There are many reasons to conduct a thesis. First and most important is that it tells you whether you like research and are good at it. This may help you decide whether to consider a research-related career and apply to a research-related graduate program. Second, it teaches you skills that will be useful in many careers and graduate programs. These skills include thinking critically, writing and revising, presenting your work orally, and analyzing empirical data. Finally, being able to describe these experiences in your personal statement is helpful in applying to research-related graduate and professional programs. Prospective graduate programs are primarily concerned with your research experiences, not with whether you took a particular honors course they may or may not even know exists.

We are completely changing the department honors program beginning the summer of 2009. Because of this change and current budgetary limitations, there will be no departmental honors program until the spring of 2010. Dr. Judith Bryant will be teaching an introduction to research in psychology course fall 2009 as a foundation for the honors seminars that comprise the honors program (PSY 4931-008). The new honors program itself will run from spring 2010 through fall 2010. Dr. Jamie Goldenberg will teach the seminars. Applications for the honors program will probably be due November, 2009.

If you are graduating summer 2010 or earlier

  • You will not be able to participate in the new honors program or graduate with honors in psychology
  • You have several options for obtaining significant research experience
    • You may conduct research in one or more labs (as a volunteer or for Directed Study credit), take on an increasing amount of responsibility, and attend lab meetings and departmental research presentations.
    • If you are in the University Honors College you may conduct your thesis following their requirements.
    • You may arrange to conduct a thesis under the direction of a faculty member and register for PSY 4970. In order to be allowed to conduct a thesis in the Psychology Department you must
      • Have at least a 3.5 GPA in Psychology, at least a B in both Introduction to Psychology and Research Methods, and at least a 3.25 overall GPA
      • Have a thesis advisor who is a regular member of the Psychology Department faculty
      • Find 2 other individuals (2 faculty or 1 faculty member + 1 graduate student) willing to serve as your committee
      • Obtain the written approval of Dr. Bryant or Dr. Goldenberg
    • This process will require you to write and defend a thesis proposal and write and defend your final thesis.

If you are planning to graduate no earlier than December 2010

  • You have all of the options discussed above
  • You may consider taking Dr. Bryant’s foundation course (PSY 4931-008) fall 2009 and then applying for the honors program.

Please contact Dr. Bryant at 974-0475 or jbryant@shell.cas.usf.edu for further information.

Application for the honors program