Psychology Honors Program
The Psychology Honors Program offers senior Psychology majors the opportunity to complete a Senior Honors Thesis under the guidance of a faculty advisor. This program spans both the Fall and Spring semesters of the student’s senior year. Its primary purpose is to enable students to design and complete a research project with faculty supervision. Additionally, the program helps students refine their skills in writing and presenting research findings, which is excellent preparation for graduate studies in psychology. You can learn more about the honors program features & requirements on the application form below.
Psychology Honors Program Application Form
The Psychology honors program features:
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- a faculty mentor and
- collaborative research with faculty that results in a senior thesis.
Steps to Apply:
- Identify a Faculty Sponsor: Students should first find a faculty member willing to oversee their independent research project. Establishing a strong track record in research with a psychology professor is key. Ideally, begin participating in research by your sophomore year through opportunities like PSY 273. For more details, visit: Psychology Research Opportunities.
- Submit an Application: Students are encouraged to apply for acceptance to the honors program by the middle of April during their junior year at Stony Brook. The application form is available above. The latest students can join the program is two semesters before graduation.
Eligibility Requirements:
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- A cumulative GPA of 3.20 or higher (a student whose cumulative grade point average falls below 3.00 may be dropped from the honors program).
- A GPA of 3.50 or higher in courses required for the Psychology major.
- An established faculty mentor and a defined research question that can be addressed in a year-long project.
For complete details, refer to the honors application above.
Conferral of Honors in Psychology requires the following:
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- Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.00 and a 3.50 GPA in Psychology coursework.
- Successfully complete a senior thesis while enrolled in PSY 495 (Fall) and PSY 496 (Spring) along with 2 additional research credits (in PSY 487 or PSY 273) each semester.
Program Timeline:
Junior Year: Apply in the spring to conduct an independent honors project, securing approval from
a faculty mentor.
Senior Year: The Psychology honors program is followed for two semesters. Complete the project
while enrolled in PSY 495 and PSY 496 along with 2 additional research credits (in
PSY 487 or PSY 273) each semester.
The Psychology Honors Program provides an enriching opportunity to delve into research, gain mentorship, and prepare for advanced studies or careers in psychology.