Thesis Director and 2nd Reader Resources

Honors Thesis Process

Steps in the Honors Thesis Process

  1. Design and Implement Study
  2. Complete Draft and Submit to Committee
  3. Present and Defend Thesis Project to Committee
  4. Make Revisions as Required
  5. Attend Honors Cording Ceremony
  6. Submit PDF of Thesis with Approval Pages Signed by Committee
  7. Graduate with Honors Diploma

Honors students are encouraged to begin thinking about their Thesis Project at least two semesters before they plan to graduate.  Using H-option contracts to explore literature and methodologies related to the thesis project in advance of the thesis year is a good idea.

The semester that a student is to complete the thesis, s/he should enroll in HONR 3007 – a 1-credit hour course that helps ensure students submit the thesis in a timely fashion, schedule and conduct a thesis presentation/defense, complete the necessary paperwork, and attend the Honors Recognition Ceremony.

The thesis committee consists of the thesis director, a 2nd reader, and a representative from the Honors Program (generally the Honors Director).  It is not necessary that the faculty member hold any particular rank, but it is important that thesis directors be sufficiently fluent in the research and methods of the field to appropriately guide students in meaningful academic research or creative projects.  Generally, 2nd readers are from the same major as the student, but in interdisciplinary studies it is possible to have committee members from different fields (e.g., biology and chemistry might be represented on a thesis exploring some aspect of biochemistry).  

Thesis Director Responsibilities

Guide the student through the thesis design and execution

  • Work with the student to refine the student‘s interests into a suitable thesis project
  • Provide a clear expectation for the thesis/project, which addresses benchmarks, length, assessment, and other aspects of scholarship specific to the particular discipline
  • Help identify an appropriate thesis second reader
  • Meet with the student and second reader to work together to establish appropriate deadlines for drafts
  • Be prepared to meet with the student regularly (at least biweekly; more often as needed) throughout the thesis project
  • Read and comment on drafts of the thesis as it develops

Coordinate the Thesis Presentation / Defense

  • Reserve a room for the student‘s Thesis Presentation/Defense in the week allotted for defenses by the Honors Director
  • Advertise the Presentation/Defense to faculty and students in the program
  • Notify the Honors Director of the time and place of  the Presentation/Defense
  • Attend the Presentation/Defense and ask questions appropriate to establishing the senior’s expertise on the thesis topic
  • Notify the student of any desired revisions and the deadline for submitting them to you
  • Inform the Director of the Honors Program if there appear to be indications that the thesis project is not on track for completion

Sign off on the thesis

  • Receive final copy of thesis and verify revisions are completed to your satisfaction
  • Sign the Honors Thesis Cover Sheet
  • Submit signed Thesis Cover Sheet to the Honors Director by the last day of class for the given semester

Attend the Honors Awards Ceremony if possible

  • Stand when senior’s advisor is recognized
  • Place Honors graduation cords on senior

2nd Reader Responsibilities

  • Have working knowledge of the thesis area
  • Provide the student guidance and information on his/her thesis when appropriate
  • Be available to meet with the student periodically during the semester
  • Attend an initial meeting with the Thesis Director and the student to address expectations and deadlines
  • Read and comment on drafts of the thesis as they materialize
  • Participate in the student‘s Thesis Presentation/Defense
  • Attend the Honors Awards Ceremony if possible