Honors in Psychology (1973 & 1975)

Introduction

The honors designation in psychology offers a challenging and interesting research experience through which students work with a faculty member, write a thesis, and earn the recognition that comes with superior performance. Completion of the honors designation can offer valuable skills that will be helpful in applications to graduate school and for potential employers. Doing an honors thesis is a two-semester commitment. Students typically pursue this experience in their final two terms of their undergraduate career. Students must have a 3.25 overall GPA and a 3.5 psychology GPA at the time of graduation to receive the honors designation in psychology. 

Steps to apply for and register for an honors thesis

• Participate in directed research for at least 1-credit with a psychology faculty member.
• Discuss this opportunity with the psychology faculty member you wish to chair your project no later than the second term of your junior year.
• Prepare an application with the faculty member who will chair your committee. Make sure that the application is complete and thorough. When working on your application it is important to come up with a concrete timeline for the project - here is a sample timeline.
• Submit your application by the due date:
  • Fall - August 1st
  • Spring - December 1st
  • Summer - April 1st
• A faculty committee will review applications and send permission numbers to those with accepted applications before the end of the add/drop period.
• Self-enroll in PSY 1973 Honors Directed Research using the permission number before the end of the add/drop period.

Steps to completing an honors thesis

• The first semester - PSY 1973
  • This semester involves starting the research and specifying the research problem.
  • Attending a weekly one-hour seminar is required.
  • Toward the end of the first term, students will formally propose their project to their committee using the Thesis Proposal Form
  • Once the proposal is accepted students will be given a permission number by the seminar instructor to enroll in PSY 1975 Honors Thesis for their final term;
  • Students will self-enroll for PSY 1975 Honors Thesis before the end of the add/drop period;
• The second semester - PSY 1975
  • This semester involves finishing the research, analyzing the data, and writing the findings.
  • Attending a weekly one-hour seminar is required.
  • Students will defend their thesis to their committee by the end of the term.
  • After the defense, submit the Thesis Defense Form to the seminar instructor. 

Bachelor of Philosophy Degree (BPhil)

Frequently students ask us if they can complete a BPhil Degree through the Frederick Honors College in conjunction with an Honors Thesis. The BPhil requires an application and is the highest undergraduate distinction at the University of Pittsburgh. It is jointly awarded by the Frederick Honors College and your undergraduate school/college and, once completed, replaces the standard B.S./B.A. degree. It will also replace the BS with Honors in Psychology.

Concurrent completion of an Honors Thesis with a BPhil depends on a multitude of factors, those of which are briefly outlined below. Students should be aware that the Honors Thesis can fulfill only one component of the BPhil degree and therefore is not sufficient to complete the requirements of a BPhil degree. Additional requirements must be met to obtain a BPhil. The BPhil degree involves a combination the following 3 components:

• Completed General Degree requirements
• An approved Program of Study by the Frederick Honors College. This will demonstrate that a student has exceeded the requirements for a standard undergraduate departmental degree. In general, it is expected that a student’s curriculum will reflect breadth and/or depth. Existing curricular options may fulfill the Program of Study requirements, such as multiple majors or double-degree programs, or approved Program of Study may be highly individualized, especially for students in highly structured programs.
• Special Degree Requirements. The Special Degree Requirement is met through the preparation and defense of a thesis. This is where the Honors Thesis in psychology can come in.  To determine whether your Honors Thesis can be rolled into the BPhil Thesis, please review the guidelines for choosing a thesis advisor and the thesis requirements for each BPhil candidate.  You should also discuss with your PSY Honors faculty advisor and refer to David Hornyak in the Frederick Honors College for additional questions.