The Honors Program offers two pathways for completing its culminating project requirement: the Thesis Track and the Capstone Track. The Thesis Track is a traditional, research-focused option designed for students who want to pursue sustained independent scholarship through an original project developed in close collaboration with a faculty mentor.
What Is an Honors Thesis?
An Honors Thesis is a substantial research, creative, or applied project completed over multiple semesters. While formats vary by discipline, all theses share a commitment to originality, depth, and sustained intellectual inquiry.
Thesis projects can take many forms. Some students pursue applied or community-based work, others complete traditional research projects in the sciences, social sciences, or health professions, and some choose to develop artistic and creative projects.
Projects may be situated within a student’s major, complement it, or extend beyond it entirely. The focus of the work is shaped by the student’s interests and the expertise of the faculty mentor, and the range of possible topics is intentionally broad.
Structure of the Thesis Track
The Thesis Track spans three semesters and totals seven credit hours.
The process typically begins in the junior year with HONR 353 (Honors Junior Research Mentorship), a course focused on developing a research question, identifying methods, and preparing for sustained independent work.
In the senior year, students enroll in HONR 450 and HONR 451, a two-semester sequence during which they research, create, write, revise, and complete the thesis project. Throughout this sequence, students work closely with their faculty mentor and receive additional support from the Honors Program.
Faculty Mentorship
Close faculty mentorship is central to the Thesis Track. Each student works with a faculty advisor whose expertise aligns with the project and who provides guidance on disciplinary standards, research design, ethical considerations, and revision.
This sustained mentoring relationship supports students as they move from guided coursework to independent scholarly or creative work.
Opportunities and Outcomes
Students in the Thesis Track have multiple opportunities to share their work. Projects are presented on campus and often at regional or national conferences. Completed theses are published through ScholarWorks, Bellarmine’s institutional repository, making student work publicly accessible.
These experiences allow students to contribute original knowledge or creative work to their field and to participate in broader scholarly conversations. Some thesis projects have earned external recognition, including national awards such as the Portz Interdisciplinary Fellowship from the National Collegiate Honors Council.
Who Completes the Thesis Track?
The Thesis Track is completed by all Honors students unless they are selected for the Capstone Track. It is particularly well suited for students who:
- enjoy independent, sustained academic work
- are interested in research, creative inquiry, or applied scholarship
- are considering graduate or professional study
- want to work closely with a faculty mentor over multiple semesters
Applying to an Alternate Track
Students interested in completing the Honors Program through the Capstone Track must apply and be selected for that option. Students who are not selected—or who choose not to apply—complete the program through the Thesis Track by default. Advising is available to help students determine which pathway best aligns with their goals.