Graduation with Distinction

The Graduation with Distinction Program (GwD) in Psychology & Neuroscience is intended for students who demonstrate academic excellence through the successful completion of a significant research project during their undergraduate career. This is especially important for students planning to pursue a graduate degree, but is highly recommended for any student with a strong interest in research.  Please read the information below, and note that there are separate processes for each major.

GwD Process for Psychology Majors

GwD Process for Neuroscience Majors

 

GwD for Psychology Majors

Who is eligible to enroll in GwD?

  • Students graduating with a major in psychology (AB, BS, AB2, BS2) or IDM related to psychology.
  • Students pursuing a minor degree in psychology as well as those pursuing Program II will be considered as part of GwD outside of the major. 

Requirements

  • Overall Trinity GPA of at least 3.0.
  • Psychology GPA of at least 3.5 by fall of senior year. (GPA points are not rounded; psychology GPA does not include grades for Independent Study or Distinction Thesis Workshop). Psychology majors may register for the Graduation with Distinction program without meeting these GPA requirements but will not receive Distinction if these GPA requirements are not met at the time of graduation.
  • Complete two semesters of Research Independent Study related to the project with the same2 faculty member.
  • Obtain IRB approval for project before3 enrolling in the Distinction Thesis Workshop (PSY 496).
  • Complete PSY 496 Distinction Thesis Workshop during spring of senior year1.
  • Defend thesis in front of a three to six person committee.
  • Present final work at the Psychology GwD Poster Session.
  • Submit electronic copy of final thesis paper to the Psychology DUS Office by the last day of exams in the spring.

1 This is a typical sequence. Contact the Psychology DUS Office if you would like to consider a different sequence.

2 The 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 in P&N, without exception.

3 Any exceptions to this policy require the approval of the Psychology DUS Office. Please note that obtaining IRB approval may require significant time and effort. Students are encouraged to learn what is involved very early in the process by visiting https://research.duke.edu/campusirb/ and/or speaking with one of the IRB staff members.

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 two additional members for your thesis committee.
  • Submit the GwD application form by the end of the regular registration period, November 10th, 2025.
  • Enroll in the PSY 496 Distinction Thesis Workshop during spring of senior year.
  • January: Start working on a date for your oral thesis defense and schedule a room using 25Live(link opens in a new window/tab). Defenses are normally scheduled between end of March and mid-April.
  • Defend thesis by April 13: To be considered for the Karl E. Zener Award
  • After your thesis defense: Work with your committee to make sure they submit all required forms to the Psychology DUS Office.
  • The day before Last Day of Class: Present final work at the Psychology GwD Presentation and Poster Session.
  • Submit electronic copy of final thesis paper to the Office of Undergraduate Studies in Psychology by the last day of exams in the spring OR by the end of day April 25, 2026, to be considered for the Zener Award.
  • 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

  • Most GwD candidates will follow the requirements listed above. However, students who fall outside of any of these requirements should reach out to the Office of Undergraduate Studies to discuss their specific situation.
  • If after reviewing this information you have additional questions, please contact the Psychology DUS office via email at psychologyDUS@duke.edu.  
  • To learn more about specific deadlines, enrollment forms, and criteria for Graduation with Distinction (GwD), Psychology majors should check out this flyer for the most up-to-date deadline and form. For more detailed information, refer to the Graduation with Distinction Handbook.
  • For general information on the University-wide Graduation with Distinction Program, please click here.
  • Funding support to cover expenses related to GwD thesis may be available through the Office of Undergraduate Research Support (URS) and Lafitte Undergraduate Research Awards.
  • Duke Libraries offer a variety of resources to support GwD candidates in their work including a designated librarian!

 

GwD for Neuroscience Majors

Graduation with Distinction (GwD) is an opportunity for senior neuroscience majors to expand their research further and present their findings via an oral defense, a written thesis, and a poster presentation.

Important dates to remember

GwD 2023

  • May graduates: applications are due in the Fall semester senior year, by 4:00pm on Friday during the first week of classes.

Neuroscience Graduation with Distinction Approval Form

  • February 24th-April 3rd, 2023: Turn in a draft of your Results & Discussion sections of thesis to your mentor for comments
  • Assemble defense committee list and email names to tyler.lee@duke.edu by 4:00 pm on Friday, March 3rd, 2023
  • Completion of final polished version of thesis must be submitted to committee members between March 20th-April 3rd, 2023
  • Oral defense period: April 3rd-14th, 2023. Your committee members have to be given your thesis a week prior to your presentation day. Completed form must be submitted to Tyler Lee April 14th, 2023
  • Poster Presentation: Tuesday, April 25th, 2023 at 4:30pm (set up at 4pm in DIBS)
  • Final Distinction paper due: Friday, April 26th, 2023 emailed to tyler.lee@duke.edu

Fall/December graduates must submit their application in the spring semester prior, by 4:00pm on Friday during the first week of classes.

Frequently asked questions for GwD in Neuroscience

What is the criteria for the selection of GwD students?

Neuroscience majors with a GPA of 3.5 or above in neuroscience courses may apply for Graduation with Distinction in Neuroscience. They must also maintain at least this level of performance in their neuroscience coursework (Gateway, Core, Statistics, and Electives) throughout the remainder of their studies at Duke. The written application form must include a summary of the student’s research topic, be endorsed by the student’s faculty mentor, and be approved by the Director of Undergraduate Studies.

What is the evaluative body?

You and your mentor should choose 2 committee members for your oral defense. One member of your committee (either your mentor or one of your two additional committee members) must be a neuroscience faculty member from an Arts and Sciences department, or be a faculty member who teaches regularly in the undergraduate neuroscience program. One member of your committee can be a postdoctoral fellow or an advanced graduate student who has completed their preliminary exam. Dr. Len White may be able to be the third person on your committee, but you must ask ahead of time so he can plan. You should form your committee as soon as possible but no later than March 3rd, 2023. Contact Tyler Lee to give her the names of your committee members along with the date, time and location for your defense.

Is there another program that could help with my GwD research?

Yes, Summer Neuroscience Program is an undergraduate summer program that allows students to strengthen their research and portfolio.

Are there special courses, other activities required, or other comments?

The thesis is usually based on at least two semesters of independent studies in neuroscience (NEUROSCI 493 and 494) with the same faculty mentor.

Students aspiring to graduate with distinction will register for NEUROSCI 499 Current Research in Neuroscience. This spring-term lecture course includes review of directed reading and research in both theoretical and experimental neuroscience, as well as discussion of the students’ independent study projects. Emphasis is placed on the development of the ability to critically evaluate empirical research and to construct mathematical or deductive/inductive models. The final project in this course includes preparation of a formal research proposal and a review of the role of ethics in science.

Graduation with Distinction in Neuroscience research projects will be presented as scientific posters in April during celebration of senior undergraduate research in neuroscience, on April 25th, 2023 at 4:30 pm, (arrive at 4:00 pm to set up your poster) LSRC; DIBS. The student will need to arrange poster printing of their work. Please contact Tyler Lee ( tyler.lee@duke.edu ) for more information.