Devising a Thesis Proposal and Plan
Thesis proposals must be submitted to the Honors College for approval. All follow a standard format with headings and sections.
Selecting Your Thesis Advisor
Before you embark on your thesis topic, you must engage a thesis advisor to mentor and guide you. Timing: Identify your advisor and develop your thesis topic no later than the first semester of your junior year.
Thesis advisor must be one of the following ...
- a tenured or tenure-track WSU professor
- a WSU instructor approved as a thesis advisor by the Honors College
- a non-WSU co-advisor who collaborates with your principal thesis advisor at WSU
Typically, advisors have expertise in a field related to your major. (Students seeking a thesis outside their major must meet with a major and an Honors advisor to determine possibilities.)
Discuss ideas about your thesis topic with your advisor and select one to develop for your thesis proposal.
UH 398: Honors Thesis Proposal Seminar
For help in identifying a thesis advisor and developing a thesis proposal, consider enrolling in UH 398, a pass/fail, 1-credit optional course. Timing: sophomore year.
Format and Requirements for the Proposal Document
Your thesis proposal must include certain information presented in sections that are identified by headings and follow a prescribed order. Your proposal document (excluding an Annotated Bibliography and Appendix) should be 3-5 pages, double-spaced, using a 12-point font.
Submitting Your Proposal
When you and your advisor are satisfied with your thesis proposal, submit a printed copy to the Honors College with the completed Honors College Thesis Proposal Form stapled to the top. Your advisor must sign the form indicating it is agreeable to him or her. Answer all questions on the form, and indicate which semester you wish to...
- begin your project
- be registered for required UH 450 credits
- present your thesis
Examples of successful thesis proposals are available.
Approval of Your Proposal
The Honors College Proposal Review Committee will review your submission and send you a letter indicating that your proposal has been approved. If revision is required, you will receive an email from the Honors College that will provide helpful, specific feedback on how to revise your proposal for resubmission.
UH 450 Honors Thesis or Project
Once your proposal is approved, you will be enrolled in UH 450. You will have indicated on the Honors College Thesis Proposal Form how you wish to have your UH 450 credits (e.g., all in one semester, 2 credits fall semester plus 1 credit spring semester, etc.), which depends upon your course load and total credits. Please note: Some WSU colleges (e.g., Engineering and Architecture and Science) require that you take one or two credits as part of your major, and one or two credits in Honors. Consult with an Honors advisor to determine if your major is impacted by this arrangement.
If you are taking all three UH 450 credits through the Honors College, please indicate this on your proposal form and the Honors College will register you for three credits of UH 450 when your proposal has been approved. If you are splitting the credits, or are using a thesis number in another department, specify that information on your proposal application form.