Psychology | College of Liberal Arts
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Degree Enhancements

College of Liberal Arts

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The Honors Program in Psychology is designed to give outstanding students who plan to pursue a career in Psychology a unique opportunity to engage in original research. It involves seminar and research practicum courses and requires the completion of an original research project under the supervision of Psychology faculty, resulting in an Honors Thesis.

It is completed during your final semesters at UT and consists of 4 courses: PSY 458, PSY 359H, PSY 379H and PSY 158H.

-Psychology major
-Overall UT GPA of at least 3.25
-PSY GPA at least 3.5
-Upper division standing
-Completion of: PSY 301 & 418/420M, AND 6 hours of upper division PSY courses (not including PSY 420M, PSY 357, or PSY 359)
-Participation in PSY 357 Undergraduate Research is highly recommended.


* Admisson to the Psychology Honors Program is by application only

PSY 458: Taken either prior to beginning the honors program or in the first semester concurrently with PSY 359H, this course is designed to give students more exposure to conductign and writing research in Psychology. 

PSY 359H: Taken in first semester of honors, this course is designed to give honors students the opportunity to to develop more advanced research skills and begin their project. The Introduction & Methods sections are written in this course.

PSY 379H: Taken in second semester of honors, this course is designed to give honors students the opportunity to run their study, discuss their findings, and receive feedback. The Results & Discussions sections are written in this course, and the poster session is held.

PSY 158H: Registered for in second semester of honors, this course is designed for the student to receive the supervision of their faculty member and lab.

Fulfill the regular degree requirements for the BA/BS in Psychology plus three additional hours in the major, which includes the following coursework:
-PSY 301, PSY 418/420M, 8 additional hours of upper division PSY courses in the areas designated by the degree plan, and 5 additional hours of upper or lower division PSY courses
-PSY 458, PSY 359H, PSY 379H, & PSY 158H all with a B or better
-overall GPA of at least 3.25 and a PSY GPA of at least 3.5

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  • Eligibility Requirements

    -Psychology major
    -Overall UT GPA of at least 3.25
    -PSY GPA at least 3.5
    -Upper division standing
    -Completion of: PSY 301 & 418/420M, AND 6 hours of upper division PSY courses (not including PSY 420M, PSY 357, or PSY 359)
    -Participation in PSY 357 Undergraduate Research is highly recommended.


    * Admisson to the Psychology Honors Program is by application only

  • Course Descriptions

    PSY 458: Taken either prior to beginning the honors program or in the first semester concurrently with PSY 359H, this course is designed to give students more exposure to conductign and writing research in Psychology. 


    PSY 359H: Taken in first semester of honors, this course is designed to give honors students the opportunity to to develop more advanced research skills and begin their project. The Introduction & Methods sections are written in this course.


    PSY 379H: Taken in second semester of honors, this course is designed to give honors students the opportunity to run their study, discuss their findings, and receive feedback. The Results & Discussions sections are written in this course, and the poster session is held.


    PSY 158H: Registered for in second semester of honors, this course is designed for the student to receive the supervision of their faculty member and lab.

  • To Graduate with Special Honors in Psychology

    Fulfill the regular degree requirements for the BA/BS in Psychology plus three additional hours in the major, which includes the following coursework:
    -PSY 301, PSY 418/420M, 8 additional hours of upper division PSY courses in the areas designated by the degree plan, and 5 additional hours of upper or lower division PSY courses
    -PSY 458, PSY 359H, PSY 379H, & PSY 158H all with a B or better
    -overall GPA of at least 3.25 and a PSY GPA of at least 3.5

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Application for the Fall 2024-Spring 2025 cohort will open on March 1, 2024.

The next Departmental Honors information session will be in March 1, 2024 in SEA 4.242 from 2:00 - 3:00pm.

The application deadline is Sunday, March 24, 2024 at 9:00pm