Senior Distinction in Psychology

Work for Distinction is an opportunity for senior psychology majors to undertake a yearlong research project for course credit (PS 401/402). Students must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 to apply. All students who wish to participate in the Work for Distinction program must find a psychology faculty member to serve as the primary advisor and must fill out and submit the CAS Work for Distinction application (available in CAS Room 105).  A list of faculty members who are interested in supervising work for distinction projects is posted outside of the Psychology Department’s main office (Rm. 149).

All students who receive approval to do a senior distinction project must ultimately have a committee of three faculty members, including the primary advisor, to evaluate their final project and presentation. The two additional faculty members are, typically, selected with the assistance of the primary advisor during the second semester. The topic of the research project is chosen in consultation with the primary faculty supervisor. The thesis must reflect the student’s own thoughts on the topic. Specifically, students are required to: 1) design an empirical study based on an extensive review of the literature; 2) gather, analyze, and assess original data or conduct secondary analyses; 3) present their findings to their committee; and 4) submit a written report/thesis. Students are, typically, expected to work two hours per week for each credit that they receive (e.g., 4 credits/8 hours per week). Students are also required to meet regularly during the semester with the faculty supervisor and are also often required to attend the faculty supervisor’s lab group meetings. Acceptance into the Senior Work for Distinction Program does not guarantee that students will graduate with Distinction. The student must receive a grade of B+ or higher on the final project.

Eligibility Requirements

To apply for a Senior Distinction project you must meet the following criteria:

  • You must have a declared major concentration in Psychology.
  • You must have a Grade Point Average of 3.0 or higher. If you do not meet this requirement, you may wish to consider a Directed Study Project instead.
  • Applications must be submitted the semester before the first semester of your senior year.
  • Course requirements must be completed with no more than 1 (one) Incomplete. If you have more than 1 (one) Incomplete, please see Dr. Palfai (Rm. 149B).

How to Apply

If you meet the above requirements and wish to pursue Work for Distinction, please do the following:

  1. Locate a faculty member who is willing to serve as your Senior Distinction Supervisor and discuss your proposed project with him/her. The Research page has information that may be helpful in determining which faculty members are compatible with your interests.
  2. Pick up a Senior Distinction Application Form in the Psychology Department’s main office, Rm 149,or download it here.
  3. Complete your portion of that application. Be sure that your proposed bibliography includes primary references such as articles in scholarly journals or scholarly books.
  4. Attach an unofficial copy of your BU transcript.

Your project advisor must complete the student evaluation section and both you and your project advisor need to sign the application. You must then submit the application to the department’s main office (Room 149) for review by Dr. Joanne Hebden Palfai, Director of Undergraduate Studies and Dr. Michael Lyons, Chairman. You will be notified via e-mail once the review process has been completed. If your application is approved, the course will be added to your schedule.

The deadline to submit the application for Independent Work for Distinction is May 15th.

If you find it necessary to request an extension, please contact Dr. Joanne Hebden Palfai, Director of Undergraduate Studies, before the deadline.