Honors Program Application Open - Apply by June 1st!

For Psychology Majors and Neuroscience and Behavior Majors

Students with strong academic records and an interest in psychological research are encouraged to apply for admission to the Psychology Department's Honors Program at the end of their sophomore year or the equivalent, such that they will be able to participate in the Honors program for two full years starting in the fall. The program is designed to enable students to gain advanced level experience in the design, conduct, and analysis of research through direct involvement in the laboratory of one of the department's faculty members. Successful applicants are usually familiar with the research the core faculty is currently conducting, and can demonstrate how their own research interests fall in line with those of a potential Honors Advisor with the Department of Psychology. 

Normally, students are admitted to the two-year program in the first semester of the junior year, and continue through the senior year. To qualify for honors, students must take a total of six points beyond the number required for their major, maintain a GPA of 3.65 or higher, and satisfy all other requirements for the major. The additional six points will include the required honors seminar and research courses. During both years, students in the Program enroll in the Honors Seminar (PSYC UN3910x and y), a two hour, one credit course that meets bi-weekly, at which participants present and discuss their own ongoing research. They also attend the Psychology Department's Colloquium Series, which feature guests from outside the University speaking on a variety of psychological topics. The Seminar and Colloquia always take place on Wednesdays from 4:10 - 6:00 p.m.

In both junior and senior years, all students in the Honors Program conduct research under the supervision of a Psychology Department faculty member. Students interested in working with an affiliate of the psychology department will also need to find a core faculty member to act as their official advisor. By registering for Honors Research (PSYC UN3920 x and y), students can receive between one and four credits per semester for their research experience. The actual number of credits is determined in consultation with the student's faculty research mentor, and depends on the amount of time spent working on research. (For every one point of credit, expect to spend at least three to four hours in the lab per week.)  

In the senior year, Honors candidates complete an original research project under the supervision of their faculty adviser. Senior honors students present their research orally at the last colloquium of the Spring term, and also submit a written Honors Thesis. You are invited to attend the Senior Honors Presentations at the last Departmental Colloquium in the spring. Research done as part of the Honors Program has also been reported in scientific journals and presented at professional meetings.

Interested students should apply for admission at the end of their sophomore year. Before submitting an application, please be sure that you have identified an area of research interest and an appropriate faculty member within the Psychology department who conducts research in this area. You'll want to reach out to that core faculty member before submitting an application, to make sure that your research interests fit with their goals and that they will be available to take Honors students in the following year. Questions can be directed to the faculty members who direct the program: In 2018-19, Prof. Nim Tottenham.