Attention!

Portfolio is being decommissioned. This portfolio page will be available to view until July 2024, but will no longer be updated. For the most updated information, please go to our new Digication page at https://du.digication.com/cahss-psych

These resources are intended to help current and prospective psychology students understand our degree requirements and experiential opportunities.

You can access our anonymous input survey here.

Our Distinction Program will train you to conduct scholarly research in psychology. It is especially beneficial if you plan to pursue advanced training in certain graduate or professional schools.

• The program meets the requirements for distinction in psychology for students in the University Honors Program.
• You are not required to be in the University Honors Program to join the psychology distinction program.
• Your transcript will indicate that you have earned departmental honors if you complete this program, indicating that you have excelled in psychology.
• The thesis process requires you to take the 5- quarter sequence outlined below. This sequence supports your efforts to complete your own research project in collaboration with a faculty member in psychology.
• This program is by application only, we get many more applicants each year than we have capacity to admit into the program.

JUNIOR YEAR: JUNIOR HONORS RESEARCH SEMINAR DURING WINTER (PSYC 2751) AND SPRING (2752)

In these courses, you'll learn research methods and skills that will help you communicate your findings. You'll also work in department labs to conduct research projects. Research Methods (PSYC 3050) is a pre-requiste and must be completed before beginning PSYC 2551 in Winter Quarter of the year before you hope to graduate.

SENIOR YEAR: THREE QUARTERS OF SENIOR HONORS RESEARCH SEMINAR (PSYC 3150, 3151, 3152) AND COMPLETION OF A SENIOR RESEARCH THESIS

In these courses, you will complete an empirical senior honors thesis by working with a Department of Psychology faculty member. You will also prepare a written thesis document, a slide presentation and poster presentation of your thesis project. If you satisfactorily complete an honors thesis, you will receive departmental distinction, which will be noted in the Commencement program and on your transcript.

Credits taken for these courses (PSYC 2751, 2752, 3150, 3151, and 3152) do not count toward the 60-credit maximum for the psychology BA.

ELIGIBILITY

This program is highly selective. You must have a strong academic record, an interest in research and complete a screening interview with the instructor of the Junior Honors Research Seminar. Previous research experience is helpful but not required for admission to the program. This program must be completed over two years, and must be started Winter Quarter before your final year at DU.

For more information about the program and the application process, please see an academic advisor. Invitations to apply are sent to all students in Spring Quarter via email.  You must be declared a Psych major to ensure you receive the call for applications. Students should apply during Spring quarter 2 years before they hope to graduate (for most students graduating in 4 years, Spring Quarter of the sophomore year). 

A question and answer session about distinction in Psychology will be held in Frontier Hall, room 045, on Tuesday April 12, 2022, from 6-7 pm and will include a 10-15 minute CV workshop and insights from current psych distinction students. The deadline for applying to the distinction program this year is May 6.

For questions about applying please reach out to Paige Lloyd at Paige.Lloyd@du.edu.