About the Program
Writing a senior thesis provides a wonderful opportunity for political science majors to do independent social science research. The program involves independent work by the student, guided by a faculty advisor, and enrollment in a senior thesis seminar during the fall and spring semesters of a student's senior year.
The department encourages students to pursue independent research by working toward a senior thesis. Students admitted to this program work closely with a faculty advisor for a full calendar year, beginning at the end of their junior year. Students writing a senior thesis receive 6 units of credit for two semesters of work by enrolling in POLSCI 415 Senior Thesis Research. However, this credit does not count toward the completion of the political science major. Although there is no grade point average requirement for writing a senior thesis, an application is required. For more information, contact the department office. All majors may apply.
To qualify to write a senior thesis, students must do the following:
- Complete the methodology course requirement by the fall of their junior year (all majors are strongly urged to complete this requirement during their sophomore year).
- Complete POLSCI 495 Research Design and Methods prior to their senior year.
- Complete a subfield specialization (detailed in the Specializations section above) by the end of the fall of their senior year in the subfield appropriate for their senior thesis. At least two thirds of the specialization must be completed by the end of their junior year.
- Apply during their junior year for admission into the program.
To graduate with Latin Honors, students must successfully complete a senior thesis project and meet a GPA requirement set by the College of Arts & Sciences.
Application Process
Students meeting eligibility requirements may apply to write a senior thesis; students apply during their junior year for admission into the program. The application submission demonstrates a student's commitment to the research and also provides an early foundation for success.
The application packet should be submitted to the Department of Political Science by April 1 (or the following Monday if April 1 falls on a weekend). The director of undergraduate research will make a decision and notify students concerning their acceptance to the program before the end of the term. The submission must include:
Students can download the form here:
The proposal is a 1,500-word (five pages) or less document that should state the student's thesis question, the contribution to the literature and the research method. Students should consult their advisor as they write their proposals.
The application must be supported by a faculty member with the majority of their appointment in the Political Science department. Students studying abroad in the spring should secure the support of a faculty advisor in the Fall term before going abroad. Faculty members have the discretion to decline requests to serve as thesis advisors, and are more likely to accept advisees who are well-prepared and motivated to work.
After You've Been Accepted
Register for Senior Thesis Research (PS415) for the fall term of your senior year. Please note that these units do not count toward the major requirements. You will also take this course in the spring semester of your senior year.
Students are expected to begin work on their senior thesis in the summer before their senior year, reading widely the literature relevant to their thesis and collecting data as appropriate. Students who do not make sufficient progress on their research in the summer will not be allowed to continue in the program.
The deadline for your completed senior thesis is the last Friday in February. Senior thesis abstracts are to be submitted to the Office of Undergraduate Research at the end of March for publication.