Thesis Timeline

Consider the following general milestones and talk with your Honors Academic Mentor about adapting these guidelines for a timeline that best fits your academic interests and goals. 

Phase 1: Exploring Your Interests (Early Semesters)
  • Map your timeline: Meet with your Honors academic mentor to customize a thesis path that fits with your other plans such as study abroad or internships. Update it each semester.
  • Network with faculty: Attend campus research events and reach out to professors whose scholarship interests you.
Phase 2: Forming Your Team (2.5 Years Before Graduation)
  • Secure your committee: Secure a tenured/tenure-track App State faculty member as your Thesis Director and a second faculty member or community expert as your Second Reader. Aim to have your committee finalized early during this time-period so they can guide your prep.
Phase 3: Launching the Project (2 Years Before Graduation)
  • Refine your focus: Work with your thesis director to clarify your specific research question and narrow your project's scope.
  • Begin hands-on work: Start your background reading, lab work, community networking, survey designs, or IRB approvals. Work with your thesis director to define what this stage means for you.
  • Check graduation track: Meet with your Honors academic mentor to confirm degree requirements before registering for thesis hours.
Phase 4: Synthesizing and Defending (Your Final Year)
  • Spread your credits: Enroll in your 3 required thesis credits across two semesters for maximum breathing room.
  • Incorporate early feedback: Share writing drafts with your committee regularly, not just at the end.
  • Plan around your major: If student teaching or interning your last semester, work with your advisor to shift this entire phase one semester earlier so you can finish before these commitments begin.

For more detailed information and suggestions, from the initial planning stage through graduation, check out our Honors College Thesis Information Guide.