HONORS IN PUBLIC POLICY

GUIDE TO COMPLETING A SENIOR HONORS THESIS
Effective Fall 2002

 

INTRODUCTION

The Senior Honors Thesis Program (PLCY 691[91], 692H [92]) offers an opportunity for motivated students to move beyond traditional coursework and apply critical thinking skills to an academic public policy thesis. Juniors with a 3.2 GPA have the opportunity to develop a thesis policy research project, which extends far beyond the limits of the material in a single course during a single semester. Because we believe so strongly in our Honors program, we devote substantial resources to help each student complete an outstanding thesis. Students who complete PLCY 691[91] and 692H [92] will spend almost one full year on his or her thesis, initially under the guidance of the PLCY 691 [91] instructor, and then under the direction of a lead thesis advisor who need not be a member of the Public Policy faculty, and the instructor of PLCY 692H [92]. PLCY Ph.D. students can serve as thesis advisors. Once students meet all requirements, they will graduate with honors or highest honors, depending on the recommendation of the PLCY 692H [92] instructor, in consultation with the studentís thesis advisor and the department chair. The award with highest honors indicates that these students achieved superior status in all aspects of the Honors Program.

To help you appreciate what is involved in designing and preparing an Honors Thesis, a copy of the current PLCY 691 [91] course syllabus is located at http://www.unc.edu/depts/pubpol/syllabi.htm

 

Thesis Schedule

The following table (1) is a general schedule for the process of participating in the Public Policy Honors Thesis Program:

(Table 1 - General Schedule for the Senior Honors Thesis Program)

Date

Step

Fall Semester of Senior Year

  • Register for PLCY 691[91]
  • Select a Research topic
  • Develop research design
  • Complete literature review
  • Select a thesis advisor
  • See PLCY 691 Syllabus

Spring Semester of Senior Year

  • Register for PLCY 692H [92]
  • Complete writing and revisions of thesis
  • Defend thesis
  • Revise thesis based on committee's recommendations
  • Turn in thesis and copies to PLCY Program Office to meet College of Arts and Sciences Honors Thesis deadlines

This schedule gives you the opportunity to plan your research and writing over a period of time during the academic year and work on a self-paced schedule, as long as you meet the minimum deadlines.

 

Academic Deadlines

To meet the University requirements for graduation certification in the Honors Programs, you must meet specific date deadlines with your project. Table 2 provides a guideline for these deadlines:

(Table 2 - Deadlines Dates: Check with your instructor for specific dates.)

Date

Step

December - End of the Semester

End of Fall semester and completion of PLCY 691 [91], should have approved thesis topic, completed preliminary research design, and secured a lead thesis advisor.

Mid March

Due date to turn in final thesis draft to adviser and committee

Late March - Early April

Due dates for oral defense of thesis with committee

Mid April

Due date for Adviser/Committee to submit honors recommendation to PLCY 692H [92] instructor

Mid April

Due date to submit final version of thesis (bearing adviser's original signature) and copies to Lennis Carrier in the Public Policy office.

 

Resources

The UNC Writing Center, located in the Phillips Annex, is available to help you with any writing problems that you might have. Consultants do not proofread or edit papers. The sessions, which normally run 50 minutes, are free tutorials. You can request appointments online, and visit their web site at http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/.

To give you a better idea of what is involved in writing an Honors Thesis, a list of recently completed Honors Theses is included in this guide. Copies of theses are on file in the Public Policy office. They can be checked out for review and/or copying from Ms. Lennis Carrier, Student Services Manager, at 962-1600, lcarrier@unc.edu.

For information on financial support for expenses related to the senior Honors thesis please visit the Honors Program website at http://www.honors.unc.edu/thesis_grants.html. 

For questions on the honors program, contact Dr. Gail Corrado, Director of Undergraduate Studies, at or Ms. Lennis Carrier, Student Services Manager.

Public Policy Senior Honors Thesis Titles

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