Honors Thesis
While a thesis is required to graduate with honors, it also sets you apart from classmates and may assist in graduate school and/or career opportunities.
The Walton Honors thesis is a major independent writing project under the leadership of a Walton College or University of Arkansas faculty member and arises from a research project, business plan, business competition or internship. Usually completed during the junior and/or senior year, the Honors Thesis/Project allows you to take a deeper look into the topics that interest you the most alongside one of our world-class faculty members. While completion of the Honors Thesis/Project is required in order to graduate with Honors, it also sets you apart from classmates and may assist in graduate school and in career opportunities. Due to the diverse nature of the majors in our college, we have developed different tracks for the Honors Thesis/Project, which you will select from in consultation with your faculty mentor:
- Research option
- “Traditional” thesis: research project, conduct an experiment or case study, collect and analyze survey results, etc.
- Review option
- Expanded literature review: critically analyze academic and professional literature about your topic, determine current state of the field.
- Experiential option
- Practice-based: complete an internship, service learning, business plan, advertising project or appropriate experience related to your topic of interest
- *Accounting majors will typically secure an accounting internship and enroll in ACCT 310VH while completing their internship. ACCT 310VH will count as the required honors thesis project.
Review past examples of Walton Honors theses/projects!
Recommended Thesis Timeline
*It is recommended that students start their thesis process no later than spring of their junior year or their third-to-last semester. Below is a recommended timeline of the thesis process, but students are welcomed to complete any part of the thesis process earlier than recommended should they choose.
- Begin reviewing past examples of Walton Honors theses/projects
- Start compiling ideas of what you might want to explore with your Walton Honors Thesis/Project (research option, review option, or experiential option)
- Compile a list of faculty advisors you believe would be a good fit for your thesis/project
- Consider enrolling in the Thesis Introductory Course (WCOB 499VH – 1 credit) with Jason Adams or Katie Pope to learn more about the thesis process. This course is designed to help you get started with the thesis process and provide you with resources and materials for success. If you complete this course, you’ll complete your other 2 required hours of WCOB 499VH with your chosen thesis advisor in a future semester.
- Find a thesis advisor. The earlier the better, but you’ll want to secure a thesis advisor by the end of this semester. Your thesis advisor should help you fine-tune your ideas, create a detailed timeline, apply for IRB (if needed), apply for funding, and guide you through the process.
- Start working on your thesis!
- Continue working on your thesis. If you are completing an experiential thesis project, such as an internship, make sure you are continuing to check in with your faculty advisor throughout the internship/experience.
- Consider applying for funding from the Honors College
- IRB application (if needed). If you need IRB approval for your thesis project, you will need approval before any research can be conducted.
- Continue working on your thesis. We recommend you try to finish the bulk of your thesis in this semester. If you are conducting research, we recommend completing your research in this semester.
- Consider applying for funding from the Honors College
- IRB application (if needed). If you need IRB approval for your thesis project, you will need approval before any research can be conducted..
- Pay close attention and adhere to the timeline that will be emailed to you at the start of the semester!
- Put the final touches on your thesis.
- Create a poster for your thesis project and share your work at the Walton Honors Poster session held on the Friday of finals week.
- Make sure to thank your thesis advisor for their support and dedication to your thesis project!
