The Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences has an honors program to augment the existing program in the College of Letters and Science, and to provide additional opportunities for motivated students. Enrollment in the program is by application, and is based upon academic achievement.

Students who are selected to participate will earn a wide variety of unique academic privileges. In addition to special honors seminar courses, honors students will be given extended library privileges, increased priority for class registration, and opportunities to enroll in graduate seminars.

The departmental honors program provides an opportunity for qualified students to pursue a more challenging and in-depth study of psychology. The honors courses, for example, are restricted in size and provide a level of discussion and participation not possible in traditional lecture courses. To help prepare for graduate training, honors students can conduct independent research under the supervision of a faculty advisor. The results of this research may form the basis of the honors thesis, which students submit before the end of their senior year. Students who complete an honors thesis with at least a 3.5 GPA are eligible for distinction in the major.

Students interested in participating in the psychology honors program should see the undergraduate advisor for more information.

Psychology Honors Courses

All Psychology honors courses may be applied to the Letters & Science Honors Program.

• Psychology 90ABC -Seminar for specially selected students usually in their sophomore year. Seminar involves reading and discussion of selected topics in psychology. Applications are available in the Undergraduate Affairs Office. Prerequisite: 3.5 GPA and consent of instructor.
• Psychology 196 - Advanced seminar designed for honors students in the Spring quarter of their junior year. Applications are available in the Undergraduate Affairs Office. Prerequisite: 3.5 GPA and consent of instructor.
• Psychology 197ABC - Senior independent study under the supervision of a faculty member, design and execution of an independent research project with scholarly analysis and critique of theoretical and research literature pertaining to substantial issues written in APA format, and approved by two faculty readers. Prerequisites: Psy 196, two quarters of Psy 99/99P/199/199P, and departmental approval.

Note: No more than 12 units of Psychology 197ABC, 198 and 199 may be applied toward filling major requirements.
Honors Programs at UCSB

Class Web Pages | Undergraduate Mailing List | Course Waiting List | Prospective Students | Pre-major
Majors | Courses | Petition Process | Honors Program | Academic Advising Office
Frequently Asked Questions | Student Resources