The Honors Thesis
Each student in the Honors College is required to complete a capstone thesis paper or project. The creation of this work is the culmination of their undergraduate educational experience.
Overview
The Honors thesis project is designed to focus student interests, provide a more in-depth perspective in their chosen major, develop scholarly skills, foster creativity and independent effort, and bring the educational experiences together in a way that other academic projects do not. In addition to independent work, the project also involves close associations between the student and faculty members, particularly with the faculty mentor supervising the research work. Such sustained interaction contributes greatly to the overall quality of the experience.
The Honors College supports creativity in honors theses. While the honors thesis is often completed as a part of the student’s major, students are free to find a mentor and complete a thesis outside their major as well. Interdisciplinary projects are especially encouraged.
An honors thesis can be based on any of the following:
- Traditional research or scholarship
- Capstone project
- Artistic portfolio
- Creative writing project
- Live performance
- Innovative curriculum
- Substantial service project
Whether the Honors student elects to complete the Honors Thesis in their major capstone or as part of another course, they must be registered for it as an Honors course. If the course is not already listed as an honors course, the instructor, who will serve as the thesis mentor, should request that the course be an honors course by submitting the syllabus using the submission form below.
All Honors College theses are approved and submitted by the faculty mentor to the Honors Office. Most are archived in the Kimbel Library’s Digital Commons. See the instructions for faculty below. When the faculty mentor submits the thesis, the thesis requirement will be marked as complete on the student's Honors program evaluation.
Honors Theses must be submitted by the last day of exams before graduation.
Further Information:
Thesis FAQs
Resources:
- Honor Thesis Requirements
- Honors Thesis Courses by Major
- Submitting a Thesis:
- Honors Thesis Submission Instructions (for faculty mentors)
- Thesis Title Page Template
- Thesis Release Form
- Honors Thesis Archives (CCU Digital Commons)
- Request to create Honors Section / Syllabus submission (for faculty mentors)