Thesis Research

Starting Fall 2026, a new thesis option will be available for Psychology majors who do not qualify for or choose not to pursue Graduation with Distinction (GwD). With permission from a faculty mentor and the Psychology DUS, students may enroll in the Thesis Research Independent Study (PSY 495).

This option is intended as an alternative pathway for students who wish to complete a full research project and oral defense but do not have the minimum required Psychology GPA and/or the scheduling flexibility to enroll in the required Thesis Distinction Workshop (PSY 496) for GwD. It is important to note that the Thesis Research Independent Study is just as rigorous and time-intensive as the Graduation with Distinction track. Students should pursue this option only after they have exhausted all efforts to achieve the required GPA in the major and/or accommodate PSY 496 in their schedule.

Please note that only students who complete Graduation with Distinction are eligible for the Zener Award and formal recognition at the Psychology graduation ceremony.

Thesis Research

Who is eligible to enroll in Thesis Research?

  • Students graduating with a major in psychology (AB, BS, AB2, BS2) or IDM related to psychology.

Requirements

  • A minimum overall GPA of 3.0 by graduation (Psychology Independent Study [IS] and Research Independent Study [RIS] courses are not included in the GPA calculations).
  • Two semesters1,2 of mentored research:
    • One standard Research Independent Study course (PSY 393/394/493/494)
    • One Thesis Research Independent Study3 course (PSY 495)
    • An approved application submitted to the Psychology DUS by the last day of regular registration for the term of in which the student will defend (April for Fall; November for Spring).
    • A thesis defense before a two-member committee4 (at least one member must be in Psychology & Neuroscience).
    • Submit electronic copy of final thesis paper to the Psychology DUS Office by the last day of exams in the spring.

1The first Research Independent Study course must be completed before applying for PSY 495. These courses are usually taken consecutively, although this is not required. 

2The two semesters of Research Independent Study (RIS) must be on the same research topic under the supervision of the same faculty member.

3Thesis Research Independent Study is typically taken in the same semester as the thesis defense, with rare exceptions.

4The faculty member supervising the RIS will also serve as the faculty chair for the thesis committee, unless they are not a primary faculty member in P&N. The faculty chair for the thesis committee must be a primary faculty member(link opens in a new window/tab) in P&N, without exception.

Timeline

  • By the end of spring of junior year: Identify a faculty member to supervise your thesis and start working on your RIS proposal for fall.
  • Fall senior year: Enroll in PSY 493, obtain IRB approval, and identify an additional members for your thesis committee. Submit your proposal for PSY 495 by the deadline, which is one week prior to the last day of drop/add each semester.
  • Submit the Research Thesis without Distinction form by the end of the regular registration period.
  • Spring senior year: Enrolled in PSY 495 Thesis Research Independent Study.
  • January: Start working on a date for your oral thesis defense and schedule a room using 25Live. Defenses are normally scheduled between end of March and mid-April.
  • After your thesis defense: Work with your committee to make sure they submit all required forms to the Psychology DUS Office.
  • Submit electronic copy of final thesis paper to the Office of Undergraduate Studies in Psychology by the last day of exams in the spring.
  • Optional: Submit electronic copy of final paper to DukeSpace, the open-access repository within Duke Libraries. Talk to your supervisor about whether doing so would be beneficial to you.

Additional information