Submit Your Thesis Proposal

What to know about the proposal process

An initial proposal for your Honors thesis is due in your junior year. Depending on whether you spend time off campus during your junior year, your thesis deadline may be later in your junior year. That said, Honors requires a submitted proposal by the end of your junior year in order to remain in the program. If we don't receive one from you, you will be removed from the program and notified.

Please read the following process overview carefully, and make sure you stay in touch with your Honors advisor about progress on your proposal if you run into issues.

Step 1) Submit the Proposal Form

Once you have selected a topic and rough scope of work with your advisor, submit the proposal form.

- You must consult with your faculty advisor prior to completing the proposal form. Your faculty advisor should be aware that you intend to submit this form, as they are a part of this approval workflow.

- The contents and questions of the form are in the section below, so you can prepare your answers ahead of time.

- Once you submit your form, this will initiate the approval workflow.

Note! If you have applied for Crown Thesis Funding, you will still need to answer some basic questions on the form, but you do NOT have to provide answers to the form sections below regarding your project plan. You will not need to write anything additional beyond what you've already submitted for your funding application, but your Thesis Coordinator still needs to know that you submitted an application for thesis funding and you will be using that in lieu of your proposal.

Step 2) Faculty Advisor Approval

- Once you submit your proposal form, a notification and copy of your submission will be automatically sent via email to your faculty advisor.

- They will be asked to answer a few questions about your project, and will also confirm that they have agreed to be your thesis advisor.

- In order for your proposal to finally be approved, your faculty advisor must complete this approval process. You may need to follow up with your advisor and remind them to do so.
  - - The link for them to do so can be found here: https://airtable.com/appWgvEwvqZC3JjN9/shrx9NiJjKQz6gmLX
    - Once your advisor submits their approval, your Honors thesis coordinator will review both your proposal and your faculty advisor's approval.
    During the course of your project, your thesis advisor can contact us for support, and we will reach out to your advisor during your senior year to make sure you are on track.

Step 3) Honors Review & Approval

Once your Honors thesis coordinator has completed their review, you will receive an email notification informing you that your proposal has been approved. This email will contain a copy of the data we have on file for you regarding your Thesis. It is VERY important that you review this email carefully, and save it for the future. In case something changes you will be responsible for notifying us.

It may take a few weeks for your Degree Works to update your "Junior Thesis Milestone" in your Honors block, but rest assured it will be updated. Your approval email from Honors is your confirmation that you have met the requirement for your Junior year in the Honors Thesis process!

... what if your project changes?

The proposal process for distinction projects

If you are in an A&S Distinction program, you do not need to complete the proposal form questions in their entirety, but you need to answer some basic questions about your distinction project.

- We will need to know exactly what field you're doing your distinction in, and

- who your advising faculty member will be

If you aren't sure you are doing a distinction, you will need to fill out a standard Honors proposal form with your project plan. You should only use the distinction process if you are SURE you are doing a distinction and have been accepted into that program.

What to expect on the Proposal Form

The proposal form will ask you to complete the following sections, so be ready with your content when you fill out the form.

I. Working title of your project

II. Introduction

In a paragraph or two, describe your primary research questions and their purpose.

III. Background and Context

In a paragraph or two, describe what led you to your primary research questions and their purpose. Why is your question important, and where does it fit into the existing field? Discuss how preexisting scholarship or professional/creative work addresses-or should better address-your subject.

IV. References/Resources

Include a list of scholarly materials, organizations, people, and other resources you have or will consult.

V. Time Line

Present a schedule of the work to be completed, with start and finish dates. Include all thesis, revising, and advising deadlines, as well as any relevant performance and/or exhibition dates (these may be tentative). Be sure to take into account time spent for study abroad and internships. More detail here will help you stay on course.

Please Note:

Supporting graduate or advanced upper-division coursework: we strongly recommend you select appropriate graduate or upper-division courses in your major that will support your thesis; graduate courses in particular can guide you through much of your research. Work with your thesis advisor to select appropriate courses.

If you would like assistance in completing this document, or would like guidance in thinking more broadly about your thesis, your Honors thesis coordinator is available to help you. Call 443-2759 or email your thesis coordinator to make an appointment.

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