Graduation with Distinction (GwD) Updates

GwD Updates for Academic Year '25-'26

Dear Student,

The application deadline for the Graduation with Distinction (GwD) Program in Psychology is quickly approaching. While you can always find more information about the GwD program on our website, we want to provide you with a concise list of essential information and important dates for this academic year.

GwD Application Deadline: Monday, November 10, 5:00 pm

Link to Application:

https://duke.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_b8UFeBBuB1YsYnP

Eligibility:

Must be a Psychology major
Minimum GPAs: Overall ≥ 3.0; Psychology ≥ 3.5 (not rounded).
IRB approval required before enrolling in PSY 496 (Distinction Thesis Workshop).
Two semesters of Research Independent Study (RIS) related to the project.
Completion of PSY 496 – Distinction Thesis Workshop

Requirements:

Written Thesis – A completed empirical or theoretical research project written in APA style. Must submit the final thesis to psychologyDUS@duke.edu by the last day of exams.
- Note: Final versions of all theses must be submitted to the DUS Office by end of the day on Friday, April 25, 2026.
Oral Defense – One-hour oral exam/defense before a three-person thesis committee by the last day of classes (April 22, 2026).
Poster Presentation – Present at GwD Presentation & Poster Session in April (April 21, 2026)

Application Process

Submit the Graduation with Distinction (GwD) Application Form, identifying all three committee members, by 5:00 p.m. on the last day of regular registration (Nov 10).
- Note: You should have already approached, spoken with, and obtained commitments from the faculty members who will serve on your committee before listing them on the application.
Enroll in PSY 496 during the spring semester.
- PSY 496 is scheduled for Tuesday from 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm in Spring 2026.
- The permission number for PSY 496 will be issued after we have received confirmation from your committee members agreeing to serve on your thesis committee.
If you still need to enroll in RIS, a new proposal form must be submitted each semester you intend to enroll in RIS.
- Submit a Research Independent Study (RIS) proposal form at least one week before the end of Drop/Add (Jan 9).

Additional Information

Thesis Committee: The thesis committee typically consists of one committee chair and two additional members.
- Your committee must include a minimum of three members and may contain up to five members.
- The committee chair must hold a primary or joint graduate training faculty appointment in the Department of Psychology & Neuroscience (P&N).
- The second committee member may hold a primary, joint, or secondary appointment in P&N.
- The additional committee member(s) may be:
  - A P&N faculty member
  - A postdoctoral fellow or graduate student in P&N
  - A faculty member from another Duke department
  - Or a faculty member from another institution

Forms for the Thesis Committee (to be completed at/after the defense): Please share these forms with your committee members so they can complete and submit them as required.
- Report on Examination of Candidate for Graduation with Distinction in Psychology
  - You must complete Section 1 of this form and forward it to the Chair of your GwD Committee at least seven days prior to your defense. The form is provided as a fillable PDF.
- Psychology GwD committee Evaluation Form
  - This digital form collects the committee members’ evaluations of the student’s written thesis and oral defense.
  - A paper version of the form is also available, if preferred. Please scan and email the completed form to psychologyDUS@duke.edu or drop it off at Old Chemistry Building, Room 328 no later than seven days after your oral defense.
    
    Evaluation of the Written Thesis Form
    Evaluation of the Oral Presentation of the Thesis

If you have any questions or concerns, please email us at psychologyDUS@duke.edu.

Warmly,

Psychology DUS Office

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