Flexible honors 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 Sequences. This option is available to:
- ASU Online students majoring in neuroscience
- Psychology or neuroscience majors who prefer to work independently rather than participate in a structured sequence
Students pursuing this pathway work directly with 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 sequence. Preparation and committee requirements are the same as those outlined on the Psychology Honors Thesis Sequence and Neuroscience Honors Thesis 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 pursuing a topic outside psychology or neuroscience — or a project that does not involve empirical research — typically complete their honors thesis through Barrett Honors College using the HON prefix.
If working with faculty in another department or school, the thesis is generally completed under that department 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.
Students considering this pathway should consult their Barrett advisor and the appropriate Faculty Honors Advisor.
Choosing the right pathway
Students seeking a structured, cohort-based experience should consider:
- Psychology Honors Thesis Sequence (spring through fall)
- Neuroscience Honors Thesis 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]