Honors Program

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USD students at graduation

Honors Research

Honors Thesis Research Project

At the culmination of the Honors experience, students have the opportunity to focus on a particular topic of interest, passion or conviction. These projects may take the form of a scholarly paper, original writing (plays, poems or short stories), artistic composition or design, science experiment, a curricular module or other project that meets academic standards for originality in a student's major discipline.

Honors students conduct their thesis projects with the guidance of a faculty member who they select from within their major field of study. Students are able to receive Honors credit for research towards their Honors Thesis project (up to three units). See options for Honors Credit for Thesis Research.

Students present their thesis projects publicly at the biannual Honors Colloquium.

Visit the FAQ for current students to learn more about the Honors thesis.

Example Program of Abstracts

Honors Research Resources

See below for a few general resources regarding Honors research opportunities. If you are a current student looking for more specific resources, please see our FAQ for current students.

Digital USD

Digital USD is the institutional repository for the University of San Diego. See past Honors theses that have been published to Digital USD.

Institutional Review Board

Will you be interviewing, surveying or observing people in your research? You need to engage with the Human Subjects Review process via the IRB, and finalize your proposal paperwork well ahead of your expected data collection time period. Read more.

Honors Faculty Liaisons

Honors Faculty Liaisons serve as a source of support for Honors students within individual departments reach out to Honors students in their department each semester offer conversation and support; create avenues for Honors students to learn about opportunities for involvement in the field; clarify research or capstone project expectations within the department, and how/whether they align with the Honors thesis project; help students meet other Honors students in the department.

Lawrence Hinman Honors Research Grant

USD Honors juniors and seniors are invited to apply for the Lawrence Hinman Honors Research Grant for funds up to $1,000. The purpose of the grant is to support the growth and development of Honors research. Hinman grants can be spent on research to develop the Honors thesis or to travel and present at a conference. Not only do these research grants improve the quality of student research, but they also serve to alert graduate schools, professional programs and employers about the quality of research work.

Applications for the Lawrence Hinman Honors Research Grant are admitted on a rolling basis.

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