Department Distinction Program

Purpose.The Psychology Distinction program is a two-year, five-course sequence that begins Winter quarter of the Junior year. It is designed to train students to conduct scholarly research. This experience is especially beneficial to students planning to pursue advanced training in graduate or professional schools or who are anticipating a career in a research and/or an academic setting. During the Junior year, courses focus on basic research methods and writing skills to communicate research findings. Students also learn about the research labs in the department and they conduct research projects. During the Senior year, students complete a research project as their Senior Honors Thesis on a topic they choose under the direction of a Psychology department faculty member. Students who satisfactorily complete an Honors Thesis receive recognition of Departmental Distinction in the commencement program. The courses and thesis also meet the University Honors Program requirements.

Eligibility. The program is highly selective. Students are invited to participate based on a strong academic record, an interest in research, and completion of a screening interview with the instructor (to schedule an interview during the Spring quarter of your sophomore year, contact the main office at 303-871-2478). Psychology majors seeking Distinction are not required to be in the University Honors Program (UHP), but Psychology majors who are members of the UHP are required, as of Fall 2008, to complete the requirements for Distinction in Psychology to graduate with University Honors.

Course credit. Students enroll for Honors academic credit for the Winter and Spring quarters of their Junior year and Fall, Winter, and Spring of their Senior year. Students may register for 3 to 5 credits each quarter, depending on their needs. However, the course work is the same for all students. Credits taken for these courses (up to 25 for both years) do not count against the 60-credit maximum for the psychology major BA.