Two Tracks to Honors

Students complete a two-semester sequence to complete an honors thesis.

The two-semester seminar runs from spring semester of junior year through fall semester of senior year. It is the primary pathway to producing an honors thesis in public policy. It provides students with support and feedback from seminar participants and instructors, trains students in the presentation of research results, offers the opportunity for research funding, and can generate additional recognition (i.e. designation as a PUBPOL Honors Program Scholar).

The first semester course (PUBPOL 495S) is a research methodology course which will introduce the student to research principles. By the end of the spring semester, the student will have successfully completed a thesis proposal.

Pending successful completion of PUBPOL 495 (as designated by at least at B+ in the class), the student will then enroll in PUBPOL 496S in the fall semester. During that semester, the student will complete their thesis, based on the proposal finished in the spring.

Applications for the honors seminar are due in fall semester of the junior year.

Students complete two independent studies during their senior year to complete an honors thesis.

Students who are unable to complete the honors seminar route can take two independent studies during their senior year to complete the honors seminar. You must receive approval for the independent study route from the Honors Program Director. It may be appropriate for students who are unable to take the course (e.g., due to study abroad) or, under rare circumstances they have produced significant seminar/independent study papers that provide a strong thesis foundation.

Students who complete the independent study route must identify a knowledgeable faculty advisor who will oversee both semesters of the project. Faculty members in public policy are preferred.

During the fall semester, you will work on your thesis proposal, which must include a clearly specified research question, appropriate background and literature review, and research design. At the end of the fall semester, you will turn your proposal into the honors director. The honors director will provide you with feedback as to whether the proposal is likely to result in an honors thesis that will merit distinction.

During the spring semester, you will complete the empirical analysis for your thesis and finish writing your thesis. You will also present your thesis along with any other independent study students. You will submit your thesis to your advisor and the honors director, and they, in consultation, will decide whether the thesis merits graduation with distinction.

In rare circumstances, a student may be approved to complete a one-semester independent study if they have already made significant progress on an individual, original research project through a seminar, bass connections project, or similar.