Thesis FAQ

Do you have questions about the thesis process? You can find the answer to many questions on this FAQ page.

1. Thesis Overview

1. What is an Honors Thesis?
The Honors Thesis represents a significant scholarly achievement undertaken over the course of approximately two years. The aim is for students to pursue their scholarly or creative interest by developing a question or set of questions to which the thesis will provide a sustained response.

2. Why should a student write an Honors thesis?
The thesis is the capstone experience for all Honors Program students. A majority of our graduates point to their thesis as the best part of their Honors experience. It allows you to pursue a passion, or scratch an intellectual itch. As you research and write a quality thesis, you'll develop skills and abilities that will persist after graduation. Working with your thesis advisor, you'll have the opportunity to develop a lasting professional relationship with a mentor. For some, the thesis is not so much the end of the academic journey but the beginning of a lifelong project of personal and professional development.

3. Who may undertake an Honors thesis?
Honors students in good standing (i.e., with a satisfactory Baylor GPA and adequate progress through their Honors coursework) may begin the thesis project.

4. What does a thesis look like?
There is no single model or standard for the Honors thesis. Depending on your topic, it might involve textual criticism (in the humanities), laboratory research (in sciences), data collection and analysis (in social sciences), or creative expression (in arts, drama, or music). In nearly all cases, the thesis will revolve around some research question or argument to which the thesis will provide a sustained response. An Honors thesis mimics the writing of a master's thesis, though perhaps at a somewhat more general level of understanding. In the humanities or social sciences, theses generally range from 60 to 150 pages. In some cases, often in the sciences, the written part of the thesis may be shorter than 60 pages.

5. When does a student begin writing the thesis?
The timing of an Honors thesis will vary. Your Honors Program advisor will help you determine when you should start writing the thesis. Usually, lab-based thesis projects should begin sooner, often starting in the sophomore year. Students in the humanities and some social sciences may begin the thesis at the start of the junior year.

6. When should the thesis be finished?
The thesis needs to be finished before graduation. Most students finish the thesis during their final semester at Baylor, but some students will finish the thesis early to make room for internships, study abroad, etc. In all situations, a student should work with their thesis advisor and the Honors Program office to make sure everything is on track for successful completion before graduation.

7. What is the minimum number of semesters in which a thesis can be successfully completed?
Realistically, the thesis will take 4 semesters to complete. Occasionally, and with careful planning and agreement between the student and thesis advisor, a thesis can be finished in 3 semesters (plus summer).

8. Can I finish the thesis after I graduate?
No. The Honors thesis must be finished prior to graduation. If necessary, a student can delay graduation to finish the thesis. For example, if a planned May graduate falls behind on their thesis, they may delay graduation to August and take an incomplete in HON 4V87. Once the thesis is successfully defended later that summer, the incomplete would be changed to a grade of credit. Students should carefully consider how a delayed graduation might impact internships, future employment, admission to graduate school, etc.

9. Who evaluates the thesis and oral presentation?
The thesis will be evaluated by a faculty committee at the oral defense. This happens at the conclusion of the writing process, usually in the student's final semester. The committee is composed of the thesis advisor, a second reader with knowledge of the subject, and third reader from an outside area or department. After the defense, the committee will recognize the thesis as either outstanding, very good, good, satisfactory, or unsatisfactory. All recognitions except for unsatisfactory earn a grade of credit for HON 4V87. Outstanding theses may be nominated for the Wilson Thesis Award. More information about the Wilson Award can be found here: https://www.baylor.edu/honorsprogram/wilsonaward.

10. Does an Honors thesis have to produce original content?
Original research or lab work is not required for an Honors thesis. It may occur, and the student may find that he or she has discovered something new. But students should not strive for originality. Instead, they should strive for understanding, careful reading and thinking, the development of appropriate research techniques, and excellent, clear analysis and writing.

11. I'm in a joint undergraduate/master's program that requires a master's thesis. How does that work with Honors?
If the joint master's program requires the writing of a master's thesis, the Honors Program will accept that in place of an Honors thesis. You will submit an electronic copy of the completed master's thesis to the Honors Program, but this will not be included in BEARdocs for Honors, nor will your thesis be eligible for the Wilson thesis award. (But kudos for getting that master's degree knocked out!)

2. Choosing a Topic

1. How do I decide on a topic?
Inspiration can come from many sources. Think about topics that interest you, but also think about professors you've enjoyed and admired. Look, too, at the intersection of your interests, as you can often find interdisciplinary topics this way. If in the sciences, explore lab or field-based opportunities as soon as possible. Be sure to talk to your professors and other students about research opportunities, and be flexible with the topic you pursue.

2. What makes a good topic?
A good thesis topic should be focused, of interest to you, and of interest to your thesis advisor. Often, students will start with a broad topic of interest and then narrow the subject down to a specific research question. Not all interesting questions are suitable for a thesis topic, and students need to be considerate of their thesis advisor's expertise and interests in framing their research agenda. Lab-based thesis are usually driven by a larger research agenda, so there may not be much customization or flexibility with such a thesis project.

3. Can I do a thesis based on lab research?
Yes, an Honors student can complete a lab-based thesis, but such projects aren't for everyone. You can determine whether or not a lab-based thesis is a good option for you by using the decision tree on the Honors Program prehealth web page.

4. What are some examples of a lab thesis?
You can find examples lab-based theses on the science section of our outstanding theses page.

5. Can I do a creative thesis?
Yes, but creative theses need to be approached with care and planning. It's vital that a student take classes in the creative area to connect with possible thesis advisors and to develop a foundation for the work. For example, it will not work for a student to write poetry for her thesis without having had classes on poetry and creative writing. Note that while creative elements can be a significant and central feature of the thesis, the project must also include an argumentative and/or reflective component.

6. What are some examples of a creative thesis?
Check out some of the outstanding creative theses completed by previous Honors Program students.

7. I'm a business student. What might my thesis look like?
Here are some examples of good business theses stored in BEARdocs.

8. I'm doing summer research outside of Baylor. Can this be used for my thesis?
Possibly. External research can be used for the Honors thesis, but doing so would require permission from (1) the external research director, (2) a Baylor professor who could serve as a co-mentor, and (3) the Honors Program. Students interested in this must fill out the external co-mentor form.

3. Thesis Coursework

1. What classes are part of the thesis?
Typically, the thesis project is encompassed by the following classes: (1) HON 3100, Advanced Readings and Research I, (2) HON 3101, Advanced Readings and Research II, and (3) HON 4V87, Honors Thesis. The last is a variable hour course and is usually taken for 4 credit hours spread evenly over 2 semesters.

2. What is the nature of these thesis classes?
Thesis classes are largely independent study courses, so the structure and requirements are determined in consultation with the thesis advisor. There are some required workshops in HON 3100, but most other thesis classes will have only one or two orientation meetings each semester.

3. What happens in HON 3100 and HON 3101, Advanced Readings and Research?
In HON 3100, students will identify a research topic, work with a research librarian to begin compiling readings for the thesis, and learn how to find a faculty mentor. By the end of the semester, students will have secured a faculty mentor and with their mentor's guidance, will develop a research plan that will be completed in HON 3101.
In HON 3101, students will complete research with their faculty mentor. At the conclusion of the course, students submit a thesis proposal which outlines a research agenda or performance design and identifies the primary sources and tentative methods for the thesis project.

4. Which section of HON 3100 and HON 3101 do I add to my schedule?
HON 3100 and HON 3101, Advanced Readings and Research, are the first two classes associated with the thesis. They are usually, though not always, taken successively. When registering for HON 3100, you will register for section 01 with an Honors Program professor as instructor of record. When registering for HON 3100 in the following semester, you should register in the section with your thesis/readings advisor as instructor of record. Your Honors advisor will issue you the necessary override into that class. Students who don't yet have a reading/thesis advisor when they start HON 3101 will register in section 01 with an Honors Program professor. Such students should make every effort to identify their thesis advisor early in the semester and work with the Honors Program to switch into that advisor's section as soon as possible.

5. What happens when I take HON 3100 and HON 3101 together?
When this happens, students will usually register for these two courses under section 01 with the Honors Program instructor. That instructor will provide a combined syllabus for 3100 + 3101, with adjusted deadlines. Otherwise, the expectations for the two courses are the same, only on a condensed, accelerated timeline. At the end of the semester, the student's thesis mentor (you) will communicate with the HP course instructor to assign the student's grade for HON 3101.

6. What happens in HON 4V87, Honors Thesis?
Development of the thesis continues with a sequence of courses totaling four credit hours. HON 4V87, Honors Thesis, is usually taken during the final two semesters for 2 hours each term. At this stage, students are expected to draft substantial sections of the thesis, typically writing about half of the thesis during each semester. The Honors Program provides a set of specific guidelines and recommended procedures for every phase of the thesis project, but each thesis director may opt to modify the requirements of any thesis course at her or his discretion and evaluate the student's progress accordingly.

7. How should I split up the four hours of HON 4V87?
Typically, students will split the hours evenly over two semesters (most often: fall and spring of senior year). Other combinations are possible, including registering for one hour of HON 4V87 in an earlier semester for those moving up the timeline, or for more than two hours in a single semester for those who must condense the timeline, etc. Ultimately, the student should work with their thesis mentor to lay out the overall timeline to the thesis defense, and then with their Honors Program advisor to make plans to spread out the four hours of HON 4V87 accordingly.

8. Can a student register for less than four total hours of HON 4V87?
While all students should plan to earn credit for four hours of 4V87, University Scholars must earn all four credits as part of their major. Occasionally students in other majors may need to earn fewer than four total hours (for example, to avoid an overload in a given semester). Students should talk with their Honors Program advisor about options to adjust or to waive one or more hours of 4V87. However, this will not change the overall workload of the thesis project. (A big reason we want all our students to earn all four hours if at all possible is that they are doing that amount of work anyway!)

9. Which section of HON 4V87 do I add to my schedule?
Students will register in the section of HON 4V87 (and HON 3101) with their thesis advisor as professor of record. Honors advisors will issue the necessary enrollment capacity override for those sections. Students who do not yet have a thesis mentor lined up will register for section 01 of HON 4V87 until they find a thesis advisor, ideally early on in the semester. Not having a thesis advisor at this stage may put thesis completion in serious jeopardy.

10. How are the thesis classes graded?
HON 3100, the first thesis class, will be assigned a letter grade by the Honors Program instructor of record. The thesis advisor/mentor does not bear responsibility for grading this class. HON 3101 will be graded by the thesis advisor with a letter grade at the end of the semester. This grade is based on the advisor's assessment of the student's overall engagement and completion of assigned tasks. HON 4V87 will be graded by the thesis advisor with a grade of credit (CR) or no credit (NC) at the end of the semester. In the initial semester of thesis writing (HON 4V87), a grade of credit indicates acceptable progress. In the final semester, a grade of credit should only be given if a student has successfully defended and submitted the final thesis to the Honors Program. For HON 4V87, grades of no credit are rare, usually only given when a student chooses to discontinue the thesis project. It is possible for a student to earn credit for the first semester of HON 4V87 and no credit for the second.

11. I haven't finished my thesis. Does that mean I get a grade of incomplete?
Occasionally a grade of Incomplete (I) may be given to a thesis writer. An incomplete may be assigned in the beginning semester(s) of HON 4V87 if the student has not completed enough of the planned thesis work to warrant credit, but most often this is not needed as the student is registering for the course for the next semester and will be continuing the work. In the final semester of HON 4V87, a grade of incomplete would be warranted if the student cannot successfully defend the thesis by the deadline provided by the Honors Program. In such a case, the student should continue working on thee thesis and defend it in a future semester. (Note on incompletes: Per university policy, grades of incomplete will lapse to no credit at the end of the subsequent term if the professor hasn't updated the grade to credit. If the grade lapses to no credit, the instructor will submit a change of grade form in consultation with the Honors Program office when the thesis is successfully finished.

12. I see that I need to register for HON 4088 in the last semester. What is this class?
Students register for HON 4088 during their final undergraduate semester. The Honors Exit Review is an administrative check that all Honors Program requirements, including GPA, Honors units, and the Honors thesis, have been satisfied. Note that a student may finish and earn credit for the Honors thesis, HON 4v87, but still not graduate from the Honors Program if other requirements have not been met.

4. Research & Writing the Thesis

1. What is a general timeline for the thesis?
The thesis timeline can vary. Many students complete the thesis during their junior and senior years. Students engaged in lab research or preparing for medical school may begin the thesis earlier. Students should discuss their timeline with their thesis advisor at the start of the project.

2. As a student, what is my role in the thesis project?
This is your thesis, and you bear the burden of getting it finished with excellence and in a timely manner. You are expected to work on the project over the course of multiple semesters by doing such things as gathering data, generating creative work, or engaging in scholarly research. While this will take place under the guidance of the thesis advisor, you must take the initiative to reach out to your mentor and/or the Honors Program when you run into challenges or issues.

3. As a thesis advisor/mentor, what is my role in the thesis project?
Depending on the nature of the thesis project, a thesis advisor may need to
- Help students transform an initial research idea into a workable project;
- Help students identifying proper primary and secondary sources or understand proper lab techniques;
- Assist students in identifying when additional mentorship might be helpful;
- Guide the student in the standards of research and writing in the field;
- Provide critical feedback on student work; and
- Where needed, refer the student to appropriate resources for improvement (e.g., the Writing Center, reference librarians, other researchers in the lab, etc.)

4. What is the expected time commitment for the student thesis writer?
The student should expect to commit significant time to the thesis project. It is the student's thesis, and they must take ownership of the project and build time into their weekly schedule dedicated to thesis research and writing. Likewise, it is their responsibility to proactively seek assistance beyond scheduled meetings with their mentor as needed. As a rough guide, plan on committing at least an average of 4-8 hours per week to the thesis.

5. What is the expected time commitment for the faculty thesis advisor?
Different projects will require different commitments based on the nature of the thesis project, the stage of research being conducted, and the willingness of both professor and student. Some weeks, mentoring a thesis may require little or no time from the professor. Other weeks, a professor may need to devote a few hours to mentoring the student. Generally, thesis advisors should plan to meet with their student at least once every two weeks to check on progress, answer questions, and help the student create a workable plan for research and writing. Closer to the defense, many advisors find that weekly meetings are helpful.

6. Are advisors expected to meet with students during breaks/summer, etc.?
The student should discuss summer expectations with their thesis advisor. Students often work on their thesis during summer or winter breaks, even if not enrolled in a thesis course. This is perfectly acceptable, but student and advisor should know ahead of time how available the professor may be during that time. A thesis student should not assume that a professor will be as accessible during the summer as they are in the fall or spring.

7. If I'm working in a biochemistry lab, won't my thesis look different than one written by a history student?
Yes, that will almost certainly be the case. You will work with your thesis advisor to shape and delimit the scope of your thesis.

8. As an Honors student, I have good ideas but I'm not the best writer. What should I do?
First, make sure you have a good outline and a clear idea regarding the structure of your thesis argument. Next, get assistance! Discuss matters with your thesis advisor. Take advantage of the University Writing Center. Have a friend (who writes well) review your thesis chapters.

9. As an Honors student, I'm having a hard time being motivated to write the thesis. Any suggestions?
First, don't be discouraged! This is normal for most thesis writers. Aside from discussing your motivation with your thesis advisor, here are seven suggestions for overcoming writers block from Purdue University:
(1) Find your writing place. (2) Work in 20-25 minute increments. Take breaks. (3) Develop a writing schedule and stick to it. (4) Give yourself a writing prompt or question for the day's writing assignment. (5) Strive for "good enough" rather than perfection. (6) Take 10 minutes and read other works for inspiration. (7) Just write.

10. Is there a document with important deadlines and dates?
These can be found on the appropriate syllabi, whether for HON 3100, 3101, or 4V87. The syllabus for thesis hours, HON 4V87, can be found here: https://www.baylor.edu/honorsprogram/doc.php/395071.doc.

11. Can a published article serve as an Honors thesis? Would co-authoring a journal paper be enough?
A published article can be a central feature of a thesis, but it isn't the thesis per se. A thesis based on a journal article will often include an extended introduction or review of the literature that wouldn't be included in the published article. An appropriate introduction to a thesis based on a team-published article would also delineate what specific work was undertaken by the thesis writer.
In addition, the thesis submitted to the Honors Program, even the part that is taken from a published article, would be formatted according to the guidelines for an Honors thesis.

5. Thesis Formatting

1. What are the thesis formatting requirements?
Thesis formatting requirements are laid out in the Guidelines for Formatting an Honors Thesis, available here: https://www.baylor.edu/honorsprogram/doc.php/57761.pdf.. There is a degree of latitude regarding style guides, but pagination, front matter, headings, and overall spacing are prescribed by the Honors Program. Students must submit a final copy of their thesis for formatting review before their thesis defense.

2. My professor wants me to use a particular style guide. Is that okay?
Yes, for sure! There are a few things that the Honors Program will require (e.g., headings, front matter, margins, etc.), but students will usually follow the specific style guide for their discipline in all other matters.

3. My major (e.g., theatre, math) has some very specific style requirements. What do I do?
By and large, the thesis writer will follow the style requirements for their discipline. If, for example, you are writing a screen play for your thesis, your thesis would look and read like a screen play. Because of incompatibility between certain software used for high-level mathematical research, math theses have a bit more leeway in their formatting requirements. Discuss these matters with both your thesis advisor and the Honors Program.

4. PDF/A - What is that, and why do I have to save my thesis in that format?
The final thesis submitted to BEARdocs will be uploaded as an archival PDF, often abbreviated as PDF/A. This is a document standard designed to be future-proof, so your research will be accessible even if various word-processing platforms currently used should happen to become obsolete.

6. The Thesis Defense

1. What is a thesis defense?
The thesis defense is a formal meeting where the student presents his or her research to the thesis defense committee. This is a culminating moment in the thesis research and writing process. At the defense, faculty may ask questions of the student, giving the student the opportunity to reveal their mastery of the research topic. A thesis defense usually lasts around an hour in length.

2. Who should be on my thesis committee?
The examining committee must include at least: (1) the first reader, i.e., the professor serving as the thesis advisor; (2) a second reader, usually a Baylor professor from within the first reader's academic discipline; and (3) an outside reader. This last reader is usually a Baylor faculty member from another department. Additional committee members may be appointed at the discretion of the thesis mentor. Leading up to the thesis defense, all the committee members will sign the thesis defense scheduling form, available here: https://www.baylor.edu/honorsprogram/doc.php/391042.doc. .

3. Can others attend my thesis defense?
Occasionally, and with the approval of the both the student and the members of the thesis defense committee, others may be invited to witness the thesis defense.

4. How is the thesis evaluated at the defense?
At the conclusion of the oral examination, the committee will temporarily dismiss the student in order to discuss the quality of the Honors thesis project in its entirety. The committee's holistic evaluation should account for (1) the written thesis that has been submitted; (2) the quality and quantity of research (including laboratory or field work where applicable) conducted as part of the project; (3) the student's formal presentation of the thesis in the oral defense; and (4) the student's learning throughout the thesis-writing process. The evaluation form asks the committee to agree unanimously on a designation of Outstanding, Very Good, Good, Satisfactory, or Unsatisfactory. All designations except "Unsatisfactory" earn a grade of "Credit" for the final hours of HON 4V87.

5. What do I do after my defense?
After the defense, the thesis committee will often request that the student make some final edits to the thesis. The student should make all necessary corrections and ensure that the formatting is in line with Honors Program requirements. When the thesis is completely edited, it will be submitted to the Honors Program via BEARdocs.

7. Submitting the Thesis

1. How is the thesis submitted to the Honors Program?
After making final edits, the thesis writer will submit a digital copy of the thesis to BEARdocs, the university's online repository. The thesis must be submitted as an archival PDF along with a signed copy of the Honors College agreement. The Honors Program will use this digital copy to print and bind a copy of the thesis for the program's library. Students may purchase a limited number of bound, personal copies for their own use.

2. What do I need to include in my submission to BEARdocs?
Detailed instructions can be found on the Honors Program website, https://www.baylor.edu/honorsprogram/beardocs. The submission usually includes two documents: (1) the thesis in its final form, and (2) the Honors College Agreement, signed by both the student and the thesis advisor.

3. Can I purchase personal copies of the bound thesis?
Yes. Students can purchase up to 4 copies of the thesis.

4. How much does the bound thesis cost?
Prices will vary year-to-year. The Honors Program will notify thesis writers of the specific cost via email. Expect the price to be somewhere around $50 to $60.

5. Should I purchase a bound copy of the thesis to give to my thesis advisor?
While not required, students are encouraged to provide a copy of the thesis to their thesis mentor.

6. My advisor and I want to patent or publish part of my thesis. Can I delay access to my thesis in BEARdocs?
Yes. The student and thesis advisor may request a two-year access embargo on the Honors College Agreement form. If more time is still needed, a third year embargo can be requested by contacting the Baylor Library prior to the end of the initial embargo period.

8. Resources for the Thesis Writer/Advisor

1. Where can I find thesis resources online?
Thesis resources are on the Honors Program website. See particularly the thesis landing page and the page containing all required and recommended thesis documents.

2. My thesis advisor has questions. What do I tell them?
The Honors Program is happy to answer any questions or provide needed clarification. Probably the best way to get the conversation started is via an email to thesis@baylor.edu.

3. I'm a thesis advisor, and my student wrote an outstanding thesis. Is there a way this thesis could be recognized?
Yes. Truly outstanding theses should be nominated for the annual Wilson Thesis Award. This award, named in Honors of former Honors Program director, F. Ray Wilson II, recognizes the top thesis in each of the humanities, social sciences, and physical/life sciences. Nomination instructions can be found here: https://www.baylor.edu/honorsprogram/wilsonaward.