Lee Honors College juniors and seniors often hesitate to get started on their thesis due to fear of the unkown. The following frequently asked questions and their answers are provided below to ease those fears.

Does the honors thesis take years to do?

It is the equivalent of a three-hour independent study course. You should be able to do it in a semester or slightly more.

Does the project have to be a traditional research project and be 25 to 30 pages in length?

The type (it can be based on an internship, a curriculum guide, an art project, etc.) and content of the thesis determine its length and format.

For the thesis defense, do I have to do a two hour presentation?

The normal presentation is 10 minutes and then your committee asks you questions about your project in what should be a cordial atmosphere.

Will I fail my thesis defense, I have never done one before?

More than 95 percent of students pass it the first time. If you stay in contact with your committee throughout the process it is extremely unlikely you will not pass.

Does proposal and project have to be approved by the honors college?

Only you and the members of your committee decide the content and format of your thesis. Dr. Andreadis reviews all thesis declaration forms when submitted, and contacts the student with any questions or concerns.

Who can help me and/or be my mentor on my project?

The vast majority of our faculty and staff will be happy to help honors students. Your mentor needs to be a full-time WMU faculty member. In administrative matters, Dr. Andreadis is available to help.

Are the committee members there to put pressure on me and grade me?

The great majority of students do not take the thesis for credit. Thus, it is not graded. It is simply pass/fail. The purpose of the committee is not to put pressure on you and grade you, but to guide you through the process.