Why Pursue a Senior Honors Thesis?

Although successful completion of a Senior Honors Thesis is required of anyone who wishes to graduate summa cum laude ("with highest honors") from the College of Arts & Sciences, there are multiple benefits that one could realize from pursuing an independent undergraduate research project.

Pursuing a Senior Honors Thesis will allow you to conduct an independent undergraduate research project about a subject of particular interest to you.  With the help of a supervising faculty mentor in your area of interest, your experience in this process can lead to a number of benefits:

  • Eligibility for prestigious graduation honors from the College of Arts & Sciences (summa cum laude, magna cum laude)
  • Opportunity to enjoy the pursuit of your own unique area of intellectual interest that could help expand the existing body of knowledge in that field.
  • One-to-one interactions with knowledgeable faculty mentors in your field of interest.
  • Excellent preparation for academic expectations of graduate or professional school (research skills, writing skills, oral defense process)
  • Opportunity to publish your findings or present at conferences
  • Utilize final product for post-graduation plans
    • Strengthen graduate/professional school application or portfolio
    • Provide as an excellent sample writing for future employers
  • Can contribute to superior level of University Honors Program participation (University Honors Scholar)
  • Can help complete WR requirement for A&S degree programs