FAQ

• Who can I contact if I have additional questions?
  If you have additional questions, please make an appointment to speak with Dr. Melzi.
• What resources, if any, are available to support my Honors project?
  The Applied Psychology Undergraduate Program has a small fund available to help support students' research. Students interested in applying for research funds can find more detailed information on the APUG Blackboard site.
• I am thinking about applying for the Dean’s Grant for Student Research. Assuming I get the Dean’s Grant and I am accepted to the Honors Program, is it permissible for me to do the same project for the Dean’s Grant and the Honors thesis?
  Although it is permissible for there to be overlaps between your Dean's Grant research project and your Honors thesis, the two projects cannot be exactly the same. You would be required to add an additional element to your project for your Honors thesis (e.g., adding an additional research question, including additional participants, or adding another measure).
• I have been told that one of the requirements for Fieldwork II and III is to work on either two research proposals or a research project. Can my I use the same project to fulfill the requirement of my Fieldwork classes and the Honors seminar?
  Yes, your paper for Fieldwork and the Honors seminar can (and in fact should) stem from the same project. However, for the Honors seminar, you will be required to take the project one step further. The instructor of the Honors seminar will discuss the various options with you, but these include submitting your project for presentation at a professional conference.
• What information should be included in the letter of support?
  The letter of support from your research mentor should include (a) your mentors' familiarity with you and your work, (b) your mentor's view of the nature and value of your project, (c) your mentors' willingness to supervise your project, (d) the time your mentor has available to work with you on your project, and (e) your mentor's involvement and support of the project.
• What information should I include in my research proposal?
  Your research proposal should include an abstract, a brief review of the literature, your research questions (and hypothesis), and your proposed methodology.
• What do I need to include with my application to the Honors Program?
  Along with your application, please include (a) a research proposal (not to exceed 5 pages double-spaced, excluding the abstract), (b) a letter of support from your research mentor, (c) a current unofficial copy of your transcript, and (d) a current copy of your resume or CV.
• What will happen if I am accepted to the Honors Program, and I do not have a 3.5 GPA by graduation?
  Students who are enrolled in the Honors Program but do not have a 3.5 GPA at the time of graduation will not graduate with Honors. However, you will still get credit for having completed the Honors seminars.
• What are the requirements to graduate with Honors?
  To graduate with Honors, students must have a cumulative and major GPA of at least 3.5 at the time of graduation, as well as an A in both Honors seminars and at least an A- in the advanced Fieldwork classes.
• What kind of project will I conduct?
  In many cases, your Honors project will be part of a larger project being worked on by your research mentor and his/her team.  You might also come up with your own idea for a small-scale research project to conduct under the supervision of your research mentor.
• Does my research mentor have to be a full-time faculty member in the Department of Applied Psychology?
  Yes, generally speaking, your advisor does have to be a full-time faculty member in Applied Psychology. However, if you feel you have a valid reason for wanting to select a research mentor who is not a full-time faculty member in Applied Psychology, please make an appointment with Dr. Melzi to discuss your options.
• How do I find an research mentor for my Honors project?
  Your first step should be to identify an area of psychology in which you are interested, and then to find an advisor who has expertise in that area. Your advisor will need to be a full-time faculty member in the Department of Applied Psychology. Thus, looking through descriptions of Applied Psychology full-time faculty members' research (available on the Applied Psychology website) will help you narrow down your interests and ensure that your interests match those of potential research mentors.

  Keep in mind that faculty members limit the number of students they mentor, so it is important to think ahead and contact potential research mentors as soon as possible. Before asking a faculty member to serve as your research mentor, it is important that you start to build a relationship with him/her. Most students begin by volunteering on the faculty member's research team. This familiarizes the student with the research process, and acquaints the faculty member with the student.

  Remember that in exchange for mentoring you through your Honors project, your research mentor will likely expect you to dedicate a set number of hours each week to assisting with his/her research projects.

• Can I do an Honors thesis if I plan to graduate a semester early (i.e., in the Fall)?
  No, at this time students who are graduating a semester early are not eligible for the Honors Program. All students in the Honors Program are required to take a two-semester Honors seminar. This seminar must be taken in the Fall and Spring semesters of the Senior year.
• Can I do an Honors thesis if I plan to study abroad during my Senior year?
  No, unfortunately all students enrolled in the Honors Program need to be on campus during the Fall and Spring semesters of their Senior year. All students in the Honors Program are required to take a two-semester Honors course. This course must be taken in the Fall and Spring semesters of the Senior year.
• Can I do an Honors thesis if I plan to study abroad during the Fall or Spring of my Junior year?
  Yes, you may, although it will take some extra work on your part. If you are interested in the Honors Program, and you do plan on studying abroad, you should contact potential research mentors during the Spring semester of your Sophomore year to start getting research experience and building a relationship with a mentor. You will be expected to work on developing a research proposal with your mentor during your Junior year. You may submit your application to the Honors program from abroad, electronically. 
• My current GPA is a 3.4. Can I apply to the Honors Program?
  Yes, you may apply. However, assuming you are accepted to the Honors Program, you must achieve a 3.5 GPA by graduation in order to graduate with Honors.
• I did well in almost all of my psychology classes, but I got a B+ in Fieldwork I. Does that mean that I am not eligible for Honors?
  No, as long as you demonstrate exceptional performance in psychology overall, you are still eligible to apply for Honors.
• What are the requirements necessary to be eligible for Honors?
  To be eligible to apply for Honors, students must satisfy two requirements: (a) demonstration of exceptional performance in psychology coursework (e.g., A or A- in Fieldwork courses) (b) a minimum GPA (cumulative and major) of 3.5.
• How will I be evaluated?
  Your supervisor will complete a brief mid-semester evaluation.  Then, toward the end of each semester your supervisor will fill out an evaluation form that you and he/she will discuss. These evaluations are intended to help you learn about your strengths and weaknesses as a developing professional.