Program Philosophy
Honors study in psychology is aimed at providing enriched experiences in psychological science. This means that the program emphasizes strong immersion in the empirical methods of the scientific study of psychological topics. Students interested in honors study in psychology are expected to work closely with faculty in independent study as well as laboratory-based and/or field-based empirical research. Such experiences culminate in an honors thesis, which is expected to incorporate empirical methods of psychological science. To prepare students for their thesis work, students must enroll in Psychology 300H (Honors Research Methods) in the Fall semester of their Junior year. Students electing to obtain honors in psychology are encouraged to begin independent study and research with faculty as early as possible, and no later than the beginning of the junior year. At the end of the junior year, honors students must file a thesis plan. At this time, students must have an agreed upon thesis topic and an identified honors thesis advisor (a full-time psychology faculty member who is on a continuing appointment). In general, initial participation in the program is geared toward basic training in the methods of psychological science and exposure to diverse topical areas in order to prepare students to identify a topic of interest and engage in honors thesis research.
Additional Program Requirements
Is the Psychology Program Right for you?
To be eligible for honors study in psychology, students must meet the following requirements:
1. Good standing in the Schreyer Honors College
2. Major or minor in psychology
3. Students in The Liberal Arts Paterno Undergraduate Fellows Program must meet the requirements described here.
4. Other students wishing to enter the program in the junior year (through the so-called “junior gate”) are normally evaluated based on the recommendation of a full-time psychology faculty member who is on a continuing appointment (that is, someone who has the title of Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Professor, Liberal Arts Research Professor, or Distinguished Professor of Psychology). Such faculty are asked by the department honors coordinator to recommend students for junior gate admission based on a minimum GPA requirement and other signs. Students who are highly recommended by the faculty to the department honors coordinator will be contacted by the department honors coordinator and will be asked to provide information concerning their interest and qualifications for the program.
Additional Program Requirements
After admission to the Psychology Honors Program, students must meet the following requirements:
1. Completion of PSYCH 300H (substitutes for PSYCH 301W). Note that student entering the Psychology Honors Program via the Liberal Arts Paterno Undergraduate Fellows Program will instead complete PSYCH 301W with a grade of A.
2. Completion of an empirical honors thesis (i.e. data analysis is required)
Is the Psychology Honors Program Right for You?
Honors study in psychology is not simply a reward. It is an opportunity. The opportunity is both exciting and challenging. Honors study in psychology is especially recommended for students who are interested in research and have plans to pursue graduate training in psychology or related fields.
Other students may consider one of the options listed below.
Honors students majoring in psychology may obtain honors in other departments. This can be accomplished by completing major requirements in psychology and conducting honors work with a faculty in another department. Under these circumstances, the student is responsible for meeting major requirements for their degree in psychology and all honors requirements of the department in which they are conducting honors work.
Honors students majoring in psychology may pursue an interdisciplinary honors degree by integrating honors work in psychology and honors work in another department. Under these circumstances, the student is responsible for meeting major requirements for their degree in psychology, meeting psychology department honors requirements, and meeting all honors requirements of the second department involved in the interdisciplinary honors program.
If you have any questions about the honors program in psychology, please contact the honors program coordinator, Dr. David Rosenbaum (dar12@psu.edu or 814-863-1991).