Department of Psychology

Honors

Psychology Honors Program

The Department of Psychology at The Ohio State University is one of the largest departments in the Colleges of the Arts and Sciences. First established in 1907, its faculty has grown to encompass some of the most eminent academics in its eight different specialty areas. These include the areas of clinical, cognitive/experimental, counseling, developmental, mental retardation/developmental disabilities, psychobiology, quantitative, and social psychology.

The Psychology department has the largest enrollment of Honors Program students in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences and one of the largest enrollments in the Colleges of the Arts and Sciences. Honors students have the opportunity to participate in challenging courses and research experiences at multiple levels. Students may take advantage of unique opportunities to work side-by-side with some of the field's leading researchers and scholars.

Students who are enrolled in the Honors Program in the Colleges of the Arts and Sciences (http://aschonors.osu.edu/) may participate in the Honors Program in Psychology by completing a program of study either leading to the designation "With Honors in the Arts and Sciences" or "With Research Distinction in Psychology". Some students may choose to satisfy the requirements for both Honors tracks.

To graduate "With Honors in the Arts and Sciences", students must have an overall GPA of 3.4 (3.3 for students who entered the university prior to Autumn, 2006) and complete an Honors Curriculum Contract (see Psychology Honors Contract Requirements). An Honors Contract includes more rigorous and challenging courses (i.e., upper-level and Honors courses rather than introductory-level courses), usually a minor, and sometimes a second major. The contract is developed with an Honors advisor from the Colleges of Arts and Sciences (Enarson Hall, 292-5104) and the psychology honors advisor (Dr. Alisa Paulsen, 292-5750). This contract can be tailored to reflect individual interests and career plans. It is submitted by the beginning of a student's junior academic year.

To graduate "With Research Distinction in Psychology" a student must maintain at least a 3.4 overall GPA (3.3 for students who entered the university prior to Autumn, 2006), a 3.5 GPA in the major, and write and defend a Senior Honors Thesis. The Senior Honors Thesis is independent research conducted by the student and supervised by a faculty member. The Psychology Department requires completion of a three-course sequence (Psychology H783.01, .02, and .03). The first course in this sequence covers theoretical development and helps students write a research proposal. In the second course, students concentrate on data collection for their projects. The third course focuses on analysis and writing techniques to help students write the research thesis. In addition, students present and defend their research before a faculty committee. Students have the opportunity to showcase their work at the Department of Psychology's Annual Undergraduate Research Colloquium in the Spring Quarter. Interested students should contact a faculty member during the junior year to set up a program of research.

The Honors Program offers many advantages for students. It provides courses that challenge the intellectual capacity of students, as well as giving students the opportunity to interact with faculty in a more intimate classroom setting. Faculty teach all Honors courses (delete this sentence). Honors students may be eligible to take graduate-level courses and have scheduling priority for course registration. Honors students also are eligible for research scholarships offered through the Honors Office of the Colleges of the Arts and Sciences and the Department of Psychology (http://undergrad.psy.ohio-state.edu/html/u_research2.htm).

Honors Courses

The Department of Psychology is committed to offering Honors students both Honors sections of regular courses and specific Honors courses. Courses in which Honors sections are offered include:

Psychology 100: General Psychology
Psychology 320: Introduction to Data Analysis in Psychology
Psychology 321: Quantitative and Statistical Methods in Psychology
Psychology 331: Abnormal Psychology
Psychology 340: Life-Span Developmental Psychology
Psychology 371: Language and the Mind
Psychology 508: Psychology of Judgment and Decision-Making
Psychology 550: Psychology of Childhood

Courses designed explicitly for Honors students include:
Psychology H325: Introduction to Social Psychology
Psychology H506: Contemporary Issues in Neuroscience
Psychology H512: Human Memory
Psychology H613: Biological Bases of Psychopathology

Research Opportunities

Honors students in the Department of Psychology have many opportunities to participate in research at multiple levels. Students will be exposed to the research process across the various content areas within their psychology courses. All students are required to take Psychology 300 Research in Psychology: An Introduction. In addition, advanced psychology students may elect to engage in Psychology 699 Independent Study Research under the supervision of a faculty member, (see

Psychology Research Opportunities (Psych 699)

for information and links to over 50 research opportunities) or design and implement their own research project via the Senior Honors Thesis track. Research experience is usually necessary and strongly recommended for students interested in pursuing graduate studies in psychology. Independent study research enables students to test their interest in research and get to know faculty members who share those interests. The number of credit hours and specific requirements of the experience are arranged between an individual student and faculty member. Students may also elect to participate in various research experiences sponsored by the department. In the spring of the year, the Undergraduate Research Colloquium gives students the chance to observe and present research in a poster presentation session. Many students also compete in the annual university-wide Denman Undergraduate Research Forum.

The Department of Psychology offers two undergraduate scholarships to support Honors thesis research:

The Alkire Research Scholarship was given by Edward M. Alkire to help an outstanding junior or senior student majoring in psychology to conduct research in psychology or the mental health field.

The Billingslea Research Scholarship was given by Dr. Fredrick Y. Billingslea to help an outstanding junior or senior majoring in psychology conduct research in clinical psychology or in a clinically related area.

These scholarships are awarded on the basis of scholastic achievement and to encourage students conducting research under the supervision of a faculty member. These scholarships ($300) are paid toward University fees; $1000 per quarter for three quarters. Applications are available in the spring quarter for the following academic year.