Bachelor Senior Project

Siegal College requires its bachelor students to complete a senior project.  This is an opportunity for a student to synthesize the various courses completed toward the degree and demonstrate ability to be an independent learner. The student may deepen learning in the chosen major through expansion of a topic studied or research an area of interest based upon the major.

Criteria for the Senior Project

• Synthesizes prior undergraduate learning
• Demonstrates the ability to select and research a subject and relate it to theories in the student’s major
• Uses bibliographic sources effectively to support the argument
• Exemplifies the ability to think critically
• Demonstrates ability to be an independent learner
• Range of acceptable length: 15 – 30 pages

Prior to the fall semester of the year of anticipated graduation, the student makes an appointment with the advisor to identify the area of interest for the senior project and the project advisor.

The senior project is undertaken in the last semester of study for the BJS.  The student, in conjunction with the academic advisor, decides the topic and senior project advisor.  The senior project advisor may be any member of the full-time Siegal College faculty with whom the student has taken a course.
The student schedules a meeting with the project advisor and confirms the faculty member’s willingness to supervise the project.

At the beginning of the last semester, the student registers for 3 credits of senior project.
The student will discuss documentation with their advisor and obtain prior approval for the style.  The College recommends using Turabian, Kate L. A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations (Sixth Edition), University of Chicago Press, 1996 or MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers  (Fifth Edition), edited by Joseph Gibaldi, New York: Modern Language Association of America, 1999.  Footnotes and bibliographies must be consistent no matter which documentation style is approved by the advisor.

Suggested Timetable for the Year a Student Plans to Graduate

By September 1 The student meets with academic advisor to identify general area of interest and senior project advisor and confirms senior project advisor and topic with academic advisor

December 15 The student registers for 3 credits of Senior Project

January 1 The student submits project outline and bibliographical information to the advisor

February 1 The student completes any background research needed for the project

February 22 The student submits complete first draft to the advisor

March 17 The student submits full project for final review to the advisor

The student obtains title page format and printing/binding instructions from the Office of Student Services

Two weeks before graduation Prepare two prepares two bound approved copies and submits to Office of Student Services