Honors Thesis Project

Completion of an Honors thesis is a requirement for graduating with one of the following two diploma options:

  • Honors diploma (for students choosing the “thesis option”)
  • Honors with Distinction diploma 

What is an Honors Thesis?

The Honors Thesis project is an independent, substantial research and writing endeavor for which the student is awarded six credit hours. The thesis is initiated by the student and directed by an advisor who has agreed to work with the student.

The UHP facilitates the thesis process, noting its central role in the development of emerging scholars. However, the UHP will not define the specifics of a thesis. Thesis research and writing is expected to be discipline-specific and representative of scholarship in the student’s own field. The advisor's and the department’s own guidelines provide the basis by which a thesis is researched, written and evaluated.

What are the milestones of an Honors Thesis project?

The important process milestones for completing an Honors thesis are as follows (see the Timeline for specific dates):

Junior Year

  • Complete Initial Information Document
  • Attend both Junior Honors Workshops
  • Find an advisor
  • Complete Thesis Intent Document
  • Attend the Research Tools and Resources workshop
  • Complete and submit the Honors Thesis Research Proposal and Fellowship Request
  • Obtain ethics approval for projects that involve human subjects (IRB) or vertebrate animals (IACUC)
  • Begin research and preparation of project materials

Senior Year

  • Continue research and preparation of project materials
  • Work with advisor
  • Attend senior Honors thesis workshop
  • Write manuscript and complete preparation of project materials
  • Present research at the Honors Students Symposium
  • Present research poster at the Stander Symposium
  • Complete thesis project and submit manuscript to the UHP for printing

Who is eligible to serve as the Adviser of Contact on an Honors thesis?

An "Adviser of Contact" for an Honors thesis is a full-time member of the University of Dayton faculty from the department in which the student is completing a thesis (typically his or her own department). The Advisor of Contact performs the following roles:

  • Oversees the project from its inception
  • Decides what threshold the student must meet
  • Provides feedback until the project is completed
  • Provide interim progress reports tot he UHP
  • Grades the completed project (noting that a grade of "B" or better on the six credit hours associated with the project is necessary to complete the Honor Program diploma option)

Who is eligible to serve as an Adviser on an Honors thesis?

The student may have an adviser in addition to an Advisor of Contact. This additional adviser may be any expert who is willing to partner with the Advisor of Contact. This Adviser also may be the individual providing the main oversight for the project.

Such an advisor could be another UD faculty or staff member; an expert from another college, university or research lab; or a mentor from a community or service organization.

How is the student graded?

The thesis is a single, extended learning experience. Typically, no grades are awarded until the thesis is finished. A student will receive "IP" (In Progress) grades on all thesis credit hours until the thesis is completed. When the thesis is finished, the "IP" grades will be changed to appropriate letter grades. The grading of all six credit hours of thesis is the responsibility of the Adviser of Contact. Students should always review grading standards and criteria very carefully with their advisors during the early stages of the thesis.