Flexible thesis pathways for psychology and neuroscience majors
Students in the Department of Psychology may complete an honors thesis outside the formal Psychology or Neuroscience Honors Thesis Seminar Sequences. This options are available to:
- ASU Online students majoring in neuroscience
- Psychology or neuroscience majors who prefer to work independently with their mentor rather than participate in a structured seminar sequence
Students pursuing these pathways work directly with Arizona State University faculty but do not enroll in the PSY and NEU sequence seminar courses.
Option 1: Work directly with psychology or neuroscience faculty
Students may complete an empirical honors thesis under the supervision of psychology or neuroscience faculty without enrolling in a formal seminar sequence. Preparation and committee requirements are the same as those outlined on the Psychology Honors Thesis Seminar Sequence and Neuroscience Honors Thesis Seminar Sequence pages.
Application deadlines
- Psychology (PSY prefix): Apply before registering for PSY 492 and no later than the first day of spring semester classes.
Apply – PSY thesis
- Neuroscience (NEU prefix): Apply before registering for NEU 499 and no later than the first day of fall semester classes.
Apply – NEU thesis
Option 2: Complete a thesis outside psychology or neuroscience
Students may complete their honors thesis through Barrett, The Honors College using the HON prefix rather than the PSY or NEU prefixes. This pathway may be appropriate for students who:
- Pursue a topic outside psychology or neuroscience
- Develop a project that does not involve empirical research
- Do not meeting the eligibility requirements for the PSY or NEU seminar options
If working with a Thesis Director in another department or school, the thesis is generally completed under that department’s or school’s prefix. A PSY or NEU prefix may be used only if a Department of Psychology tenure-line faculty member serves as co-director and the project meets departmental honors criteria.
Choosing the right pathway
Students seeking a structured, cohort-based experience with defined milestones should consider:
- Psychology Honors Thesis Seminar Sequence (spring through fall)
- Neuroscience Honors Thesis Seminar Sequence (fall through spring)
Students who need greater flexibility — including ASU Online neuroscience majors — may find that completing an honors thesis outside the sequences is a better fit.
If you are unsure which option is right for you, speak with a Faculty Honors Advisor or your Barrett advisor.
Resources
Psychology Faculty Honors Advisors
Mary Davis, Professor
[email protected]
William Corbin, Professor
[email protected]
Michelle "Lani" Shiota, Professor
[email protected]
Jinni Su, Associate Professor
[email protected]
Neuroscience Faculty Honors Advisor
Jessica Verpeut, Assistant Professor
[email protected]