Third Year: Theory & Practice

Portland State University student in Downtown Portland, Oregon

Personalize Your Path

During the third year in Honors, students are expected to take classes and explore opportunities that develop their skills in conducting research and crafting essays, expand their contacts and experience in their field, and deepen their knowledge of their area of academic study. Students should be thinking ahead to the Honors senior Thesis and developing the faculty mentors, research techniques, industry contacts, and academic background necessary to complete the project.

Students must earn a total of 12 Honors Junior-level credits, including at least one 4-credit HON 407 Seminar. The other 8 credits may be taken as additional HON 407 Seminars, HON 360 (required for junior transfers), HON 401 Research, HON 404 Internships, or any combination of the three. Seminars taken while studying abroad, as part of an Honors faculty-led study abroad trip or any other PSU-approved experience, may also be used to fill the requirement.

HON 401: Research

Honors students can earn up to 8 credits for research or independent study experiences at PSU or another institution. There are different types of research/independent work: natural science labs, field work, clinical research, social science research projects, creative projects (solo or in partnership), and guided reading and conference. Students in all majors are encouraged to consider connecting with faculty for independent work.

HON 401: Research

HON 404: Internships

Honors students have the opportunity to earn up to 8 credits for approved internships related to their major or intended career field. Honors does not place students in internships; students are expected to find relevant opportunities and then apply for approval. Internships can be paid or unpaid, and can be carried out in any term, including summer. You can register for HON 404 through myPSU.

HON 404: Internships

HON 407: Seminars

Honors seminars are interdisciplinary courses; they are small, discussion-based, reading- and writing-intensive courses that require students to actively engage with the source material and write an extended research paper. The Honors College offers several seminars every quarter, on a variety of topics.

HON 407: Seminars

Transfers

HON 360: Honors Writing is the required entry point for transfer students coming in at the junior level.

Students who join Honors with junior standing (90+ credits) are required to take HON 360: Honors Writing during their first or second quarter in Honors at PSU. This course is writing intensive and serves multiple purposes: it introduces students to ways of thinking about the urban experience; introduces and develops the basic writing and research tools necessary for upper-division seminar work in Honors and for the senior thesis; and provides working examples of disciplinary scholarship in the humanities.

This 4 credit course counts towards the 12 credits of Honors Junior-level requirements. (HON 360 was previously HON 399; it is the same course and fulfills the same requirements.)