The undergraduate Honors thesis is designed to serve as the capstone work to an undergraduate degree and are one means by which students can demonstrate their readiness to join a graduate program. Through the mentorship of a faculty committee, an undergraduate student will complete a research or creative project and is designed to add to the body of knowledge in their given major or minor. Keep in mind that theses can take a variety of forms – from conducting laboratory research or building an engineering project to arranging a portfolio of original music or writing a novel.
Honors Thesis courses can be either HON or discipline-based (ex: HON 4993 or BIO 4993). While all honors thesis courses count towards Honors experiences, the same may not be true for HON thesis courses counting towards major requirements in the degree. Students completing an HON section should meet with their Academic Advisor to inquire about their specific degree requirements.Yes, you can!
The idea of working on an Honors thesis can seem overwhelming to many students. You, however, have resources and support systems which include: faculty, academic counselors, and sometimes money to see your thesis project through to completion. Most importantly, you have your undergraduate career to build upon – the skills you’ve developed, the theoretical and applied lessons learned, and the relationships you have built. You are your greatest asset!
Do I have to enroll in a class?
While enrolling in the HON 4993 course to write a thesis proposal or complete research and writing of a thesis is the most common approach (and recommended), students may elect to work on a thesis project without enrolling in a thesis course. While satisfying the hours require for your degree should remain your first priority, completing the thesis stands alone as a benefit itself. Should you find yourself concerned about going beyond the 150 credit-hour ceiling, you may elect to conduct a thesis project without enrolling in the course. Keep in mind that, unlike traditional classes, you will meet with your thesis committee at times and for durations of your choosing. Should you choose to do a departmental rather than an Honors thesis (e.g., BIO 4993 v. HON 4993), be sure to let your Counselor know so we can ensure you receive credit – the sooner the better!
Honors College Thesis Handbook
The Honors Thesis Handbook was developed to encourage students to write an Honors thesis that extends students’ work in a specific research project or creative endeavor. This handbook is designed to provide you with helpful information and pointers that will simplify – and de-mystify – the process of writing an Honors thesis. The answer to virtually every question ever asked about an Honors thesis can be found in the Honors Handbook (linked above). You should read this information carefully before you begin the process of developing an idea for your Honors thesis.
Canvas Shell
Students conducting an honors thesis will be automatically invited to the honors thesis canvas shell. The honors thesis canvas shell will serve as a place where thesis students can submit their deliverables, view deadlines, contact the honors thesis team and thesis committee, and receive updates on thesis requirements and events throughout the semester. Reminder, you can only view the canvas shell if you are enrolled in the thesis course.Frequently asked questions
To register for the honors thesis course, you will need to register for one of the multiple sections of HON 4993. When registering, you will get an "Advisor approval" message. Please email the honors thesis coordinator the HON 4993 section # you want to register for, as well as your faculty advisor's information, and they will provide you with an override to register for the course. If you are registering for your department 4993 course, please email us your honors thesis registration form with the correct course information indicating that you would like to receive honors credit.
The honors thesis course (HON 4993) will automatically count towards your honor experiences in Degreeworks, but it might not count towards your degree requirements. Your department's 4993 will most likely count towards your major requirements and honors experiences. Please consult an Academic Advisor to see how an honors thesis fits your degree plan.
All thesis deadlines will be available in the Honors Thesis Canvas shell. For more inquiries about honors thesis deadlines, please get in touch with the honors advising email for more information if you are planning to register for the course.
Examples of previous Honors College student theses can be found under "Examples" in the "Thesis" section on our webpage: Forms and Documents
Students can choose from 3 different thesis pathways: Research, Creative, and Applied:
Research Thesis: A scholarly research project that reports on the results of the student's original research proposal.
Creative Thesis: A creative project accompanied by a written reflective analysis.
Applied Thesis: A scholarly work or creative project aiming to solve a problem by implementing a plant of action.
An important thing to remember is that most students employ an approach to the honors thesis that is appropriate to their field of study; you and your thesis committee will determine the methods that best fit your thesis project.
Opportunities within the Honors College
The Honors College offers students the opportunity to participate in a number of different programs to further expand knowledge, especially in the realms of professional development, leadership development, and public service. Special programs are fully integrated into the Honors College curriculum, making credit transfer simple and ensuring that students are working toward Honors requirements.
