Honors Project

Honors Research Project

The Honors Research Project is an integral part of the UA Honors experience, and every Honors College student must complete an acceptable Honors Research Project. Also see Frequently Asked Questions about the Honors Research Project. Interdisciplinary, creative projects are encouraged, and your project could be any one of the following types:

• Research Thesis - original scholarship investigating a significant question
• Research Report - a formal written presentation of technical, laboratory, or investigative research
• Artistic or Creative Performance or Production - in the fine arts, applied arts, or performing arts; a written report, introduction, or commentary is required.
• There are many important areas to keep in mind while planning and completing your Honors Research Project:
  • Guidelines
  • Due Dates
  • Funds
  • Abstract Format
  • Signature Page Format
  • Registration Course Numbers
  • FAQs

The project must meet high standards of scholarship. The student must also meet any additional department of college requirements for this project, such as prerequisite coursework or experience, qualifying examination, or oral presentation. Study abroad or field experience may be accepted, with the approval of the student's Honors Faculty Advisor, as part of the project.

The student must have attained senior standing or approval of the proposal from one of the Deans of the Honors College, and the approval of your Honors faculty adviser before enrolling in "Honors Research Project" for credit. The credit hours allowed for the Honors Research Project will depend on the nature of the project and the policies of individual departments. Usually students enroll in two or three hours per semester, up to a total of six hours. The minimum number of credits is two.

More information can be found in the Honors Research Project: From Start to Finish document.

Beginning your project:

(also see FAQs about the Honors Research Project)

1. Select a faculty Sponsor, under whose direction you can plan, complete, and report on the project. Discuss your ideas about a research project with faculty you would like as a Sponsor. You should make this selection before the end of your junior year.
   
   
2. With your Sponsor's approval, plan the project and complete the Proposal Form. That form requires signatures from an evaluation committee that includes the Sponsor and at least two other faculty readers. The evaluation committee may include extramural readers.
   
   
3. Complete the Proposal Form for an Honors Research Project [form available for download ] which must include the following:

• Tentative title of the project
• Anticipated total number of credits
• Anticipated date of completion
• Names and signatures of sponsor and evaluation committee
• Honors Faculty Advisor's signature. Click here for a list of Honors Faculty Advisors for the different majors.

     4.  Check with your Sponsor's academic department to see if they have special directions on the preparation of your project.

Due Date: The Proposal must be received by the Honors office by the thirteenth week of the semester in which the student completes 96 or more college credits.

Due Dates:

Proposals Due Dates for Honors Research Project Proposals

Students should be planning for the Honors Research Project during the junior year.  For most students, the proposal due date is a year prior to graduation.  If you will be completing 96 or more credits during a particular semester, then that is the semester in which your proposal is due. Download a copy of the proposal form.

Due dates for representative graduation dates are given below.  For the graduation date given, the proposal should be in the Honors Office by 5 p.m. on the following dates: 

• Fall 2012 graduates - Due: December 2, 2011
• Spring 2013 graduates - Due: October 1, 2012
• Summer 2013 gradutes - Due: December 1, 2012
• Fall 2013 graduates - Due: February 1, 2013

Projects - Due Dates for: Honors Research Projects

i) Initial drafts to your research Sponsor. Your completed project must be in the hands of your Sponsor and Faculty Readers no later than 5 PM on Friday of the thirteenth week of the semester.  You should have an intial draft of the project submitted to your research Sponsor even earlier.  Expect revisions to be requested!

ii) Subsequent drafts to your two readers. Please include a copy of the form for the project cover page for them.  Be sure to keep your readers informed of progress on your project throughout the fall semester, and not just on that day. Expect revisions based on your Readers' comments. Once you've incorporated changes from your Readers, your Sponsor needs to approve the final copy. It is your Sponsor who gives you the grade for the formal coursework.

iii) Submission of an abstract to the Honors College office electronically. The abstract of your project will be included in graduation materials. Please prepare it according to the guidelines listed below.  Electronic submissions are welcome- send them to dgannon@uakron.edu. Please send an abstract as early as possible, but not later than the final day of the thirteenth week of the semester.  iv) Final submission of your project to the Honors College office.Your research project may be submitted electronically. If you submit it electronically, scan the completed signature page and submit the signature page electronically as well. Alternatively, an unbound and unstapled copy of your project, together with your signature page, must be on file in the Honors office no later than 5 PM on the final day of the fourteenth week of the semester.