Student Erin B. collaborates in front of a computer

Supporting honors theses

A guide for Cronkite faculty serving on honors thesis committees.

Cronkite honors theses are original works developed by Cronkite students in Barrett, The Honors College under the guidance of a faculty thesis committee, enabling students to design, execute and present an intellectually rigorous project in their field of study.

Cronkite faculty play critical roles in the thesis process, serving as directors or second readers on thesis committees; generally, full-time faculty support one or two theses each year. Read on for guidance on supporting students through this rewarding experience.

Who can serve on a thesis committee?

All full-time faculty may serve on any thesis committee, whether the project is research or creative. Directors must be full-time faculty.* Second committee members may be faculty from other ASU units, or faculty associates. Students often do not perceive the differences between full-time faculty and faculty associates, who are not compensated for thesis committee service; please help students navigate their committee choices and outreach appropriately.

*Note: Students taking HON493 instead of MCO493 may have a director who is faculty in another unit, and a Cronkite faculty member as a second reader.

Before you agree to serve on a thesis committee

A student has asked you to direct or serve on their honors thesis committee. What should you do next? Ask these questions:

“Have you taken MCO 302 / Media Research Methods?”

If the answer is “no,” tell the student to come back to you once they’ve completed the course. If they need further assistance, refer them to their academic adviser and the Cronkite Honors page. If the answer is “yes,” proceed.

“What’s your area of interest?”

The student should be able to respond with a clear research question, or at least an area of inquiry that may need narrowing.

ON THE RIGHT TRACK	NEEDS WORK
“I want to analyze content ad campaigns to determine how brands position health messaging to teens.” “Research suggests kids in area X underperform in math; I want to create a three-episode podcast with area teachers.”	“I’m looking at the impact of AI in journalism.” Too broad. “I want to make a documentary.” That’s a medium, not a question. “I want to assist in Prof. X’s research.” Not original, self-directed research.

“Do you intend to pursue a research or creative thesis?”

All theses, whether they are research projects or creative works, require a written component rooted in academic literature; the student should have completed the basis for that in MCO 302 with their literature review assignment.

RESEARCH THESIS	CREATIVE THESIS
A scholarly research project involving critical analysis presented in written form Length varies depending on the nature of the project and expectations of the thesis director	A work based on visual, audio, immersive or written media; computer programming; business models; or other endeavors Includes a written component offering relevant research and analysis, evaluated as an integral part of the project

“Have you met with your FHA?”

If not, direct the student to the Cronkite Honors page to find their FHA (faculty honors adviser).

"Who is your thesis director or second committee member?"

If they aren’t sure yet, that’s OK; they may be evaluating faculty choices, capacity and roles. (See “Who can serve on a thesis committee?” above) Students may select an optional third member, if they like (few do).

“Please send me your prospectus.”

If the student does not have a prospectus, direct them to the Cronkite Honors page where they can find resources for the prospectus or contact their FHA.

Evaluate the prospectus, which should be a 2- to 3-page project summary with the following components (view a sample prospectus). Look for:

A working thesis title
A clear, narrow research question
A methodology that addresses the question soundly and feasibly
A timeline for completing the project that falls within the Barrett thesis deadlines

Provide feedback on the prospectus and request edits.

Notify the student whether you agree to serve on the committee, and sign the prospectus.

Thesis committee duties

When you agree to serve on a thesis committee, you commit to supporting students via these next steps:

Verify with your thesis student that they have enrolled in MCO493 / Honors Thesis — this is the course that carries the thesis project, and is required for honors students’ graduation.
Determine whether the student’s thesis requires IRB approval. All research activities involving the use of human subjects must be reviewed and approved by the IRB before data collection can begin. Students may not solicit subject participation or begin data collection until they have received written approval from the IRB. If you’re not sure whether your student’s thesis requires IRB approval, please consult their FHA.
It is the student’s responsibility to adhere to the timeline you approved in the prospectus. Feel free to nudge students who seem to fall behind while clarifying that setting meetings, making progress and sending timely drafts are their responsibility.
Ensure the student’s work is robust, original and additive, and work with the student on drafts. If the work isn’t something that can serve as a billboard for exemplary student work at the Cronkite School and ASU, something’s amiss: Work with the student’s FHA, adviser and/or Cronkite leadership to resolve any issues along the way.
A month before the project is due to conclude, encourage the student to book their thesis defense (see below). Students must submit the Honors Defense and Thesis Approval Form to report their defense date, and generate a thesis for the thesis director.
Attend the defense, and share the outcome with the student. Set clear deadlines and expectations for provisional approvals.
Use the Thesis Approval link (sent to the director via email) to confirm your approval of the thesis, and remind the student to submit their final thesis documentation. A director can only access the approval form if the student has submitted their Thesis Defense Form.
Celebrate! You’ve supported an honors student in work that advances their impact and portfolio.

Facilitating the thesis defense

Honors students are required to present their project in a formal defense—the culmination of their thesis work.

Identify a day, time and location for the defense. Students pursuing their degrees on campus should defend their thesis in person; online students may defend via Zoom. Students must book space via a Cronkite room reservation.
Remind the student to complete the Thesis Defense Form, which signals to the university that the student has completed the thesis, and opens the Thesis Approval form for the thesis director on the day of the defense.
Students are encouraged to invite friends, family, faculty and other support systems. Thesis defenses are open to the ASU community, and appear on the Thesis Defense Calendar.
After the student presents, the committee should step out and confer privately. Students must leave the defense with one of three outcomes: Approved, Provisional Approval, or Not Approved (review the Thesis Guidebook for details).
The director should notify the student of the outcome and conclude the defense. The director must complete the Thesis Approval form.