Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences

All honors theses require a written document with a critical review in the student's chosen area of study. All theses require original analysis/work and are not simply a summary of previously published research. A thesis requires multiple revisions. In addition, a summa thesis often involves data collection or analysis while working in a faculty member's laboratory. An honors thesis offers students an opportunity to work closely with a faculty member. In the case of a summa thesis, the student also has an introductory research experience. The scope of a summa thesis is small compared to that of a master's thesis, but it usually contains most elements of graduate research projects. Some summa theses have led to presentations at national conventions and/or publications with the student listed as a co-author with the faculty advisor. 

All thesis students are required to enroll in SLHS 3402V: Major Project in Speech and Hearing. Students who plan to complete a summa or magna thesis should enroll in this class during the spring semester of the junior year (allowing at least 1 year to complete the background work and their thesis). Exceptions are made for students who are studying abroad during their junior year. Students completing a summa thesis need to begin earlier than the spring semester of their senior year to allow time for the more in depth nature of their work which could involve laboratory data collection. Students should consult with their faculty advisor and consider enrolling for Directed Research (SLHS 3994) credits if their summa or magna thesis project expands to include a presentation at a national conference or in some other manner that requires effort beyond that for a typical thesis. Honors students will write a paper as part of SLHS 3402V that can serve as background research for their thesis.