HD Honors Program
YES! You DO want to do this!!
The Human Development Honors Program is a phenomenal way for undergraduates to expand their research potential, exercise their creativity, and graduate with a polished final manuscript that many have submitted for publication.
The purpose of the Honors program is to offer undergraduates in high academic standing the opportunity to conceptualize, execute, and complete an individualized research project under faculty mentorship. This program is ideal for individuals wishing to pursue further graduate education and careers in research, however, an Honors distinction on a diploma will stand out regardless of your career path.
💯 TAKE IT FROM DEAVEN: YOU WANT TO DO THIS PROGRAM!!!
Prerequisites:
Cumulative GPA of at least 3.5 by Spring semester Junior year
2 statistics courses
1 research methods course
Experience with Excel and data analysis software such as SPSS, R, Minitab, MATLAB, SAS, etc.
At least 1 semester working in a research lab for course credit (HD 4010)
Application Deadline: February 15th of Junior Year
A letter of support from the applicant's faculty thesis advisor must also be submitted
Applications should be submitted to the HD Office (G421 MVR)
Timeline:
Sophomore Year
Stats course 1 (basic)
Acceptable courses: PSYCH 2500, PAM 2100, ILRST/STSCI 2100, AEM 2100, BTRY 3010, MATH 1710
The recommended course for the HD Honors Thesis is PSYCH 2500, which is only offered during Fall semester
Must be taken for a letter grade
Deadline to complete: End of sophomore year
Research Methods (HD 2830)
*Only offered during Fall semesters*
Must be taken for a letter grade
**Satisfies both research methods and data analysis prerequisite
Deadline to complete: End of junior year
Because this course is only offered in the Fall, it is better to take it earlier rather than later
Research Experience (HD 4010)
With the faculty member who will be your thesis advisor
Deadline to enroll: Fall semester junior year
*It is better to start in a lab earlier rather than later - this gives you more experience and provides leeway if you find that another lab is a better fit for your interests
Junior Year
Stats course 2 (advanced)
Acceptable courses: HD 4750, HD 4760, PAM 3100, BTRY 3020, AEM 4100, ILRST 2110
The recommended course for the HD Honors Thesis is HD 4750, which is only offered during Fall semester
Must be taken for a letter grade
Deadline to complete: End of junior year
Research Experience (HD 4010)
With the faculty member who will be your thesis advisor
Deadline to enroll: Fall semester junior year
Additional requirements:
Two (2) 3000 or 4000 level classes relating to your research interests
Recommended: 1 ethics course
Senior Year:
Fall Semester: Enroll in HD 4980 (Senior Honors Seminar)
Spring Semester: Enroll in HD 4990 (Senior Honors Seminar)
Thesis: Written empirical or theoretical paper, policy study, or historical analysis
Helpful Hint: your thesis does NOT need to be a project created from scratch!! Other acceptable strategies are to use existing datasets from your mentor or to join a current project and use a piece of it to write your paper
Oral Exam: 15-20 minute PowerPoint presentation of your project and findings to your thesis advisor and 2 other faculty panelists of your choosing
Poster Presentation at Cornell Undergraduate Research Board (CURB) symposium
🌺 A note from Deaven:
Seriously you guys, it may look like a lot, but this project is as large or as minimal as you make it. Most of the prerequisite courses are already required to complete your HD degree, and your final product does not need to be a massive endeavor that keeps you up at night. Mine was only 20 pages, INCLUDING references, and I have talked about it in every. single. interview. and. application. i. have. had. since. college.
DO THIS PROGRAM!! YOU'LL BE SO GLAD YOU DID!!
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