Frequently Asked Questions
About the Program
What is the format of the program?
Admitted students participate in weekly workshops during all three quarters of senior year to develop their honors thesis project. These instructor-led workshops are offered for two to five units of credit, and must be taken for a letter grade. HIA students also work with a faculty advisor and a grad student mentor who will offer personalized guidance throughout senior year. Workshop assignments and the final symposium presentation are graded by the workshop instructor, and the thesis project is graded by the student's faculty advisor, in conversation with the workshop instructor, grad mentor, and faculty director. Students must achieve a grade of at least A- in spring quarter in order to receive honors.
What is a honors creative thesis project?
HIA is open to a wide range of interdisciplinary thesis projects. Usually, HIA theses bring together some form of creative practice (visual art, creative writing, music, dance, theatre, fashion, game design, multimedia, etc.) with knowledge or methods from another field or discipline (usually the student's major). HIA theses may also bring together two or more art disciplines in a meaningful way, or may take the form of more traditional scholarship with an interdisciplinary focus. HIA theses may exist anywhere on the research paper - artwork spectrum. We welcome both solo and team projects.
Still not sure what interdisciplinary means? Take a look at the symposium presentations from previous cohorts to get a sense of what's possible in this program.
I am a Computer Science/Biology/Engineering/Economics/Other major. I would like to compose music/write a play/make a piece of visual art. Does my HIA project have to be about Computer Science/Biology/Engineering/Economics/Other?
Your project does not have to be about your major, but it should connect to your major or other areas of study you have already completed through themes, methodology, discourse, or subject matter. The Honors in the Arts thesis should build on your previous studies and integrate the knowledge you've gained over the course of your degree.
Advisors & References
Do I need a reference to apply to HIA?
Yes, all HIA applicants are required to enter the name and email address of a Stanford instructor willing to serve as a reference. Usually, this person is a professor or lecturer who is familiar with your work (e.g. who has a taught a class you attended). When you begin your application in Solo, you'll be prompted to enter this person's information, and it's a good idea to enter it as soon as possible, so your recommender has enough time to complete the form.
Should my reference write a formal letter of recommendation?
No, instead of a letter, we as your reference to complete a recommendation form. This form is less time intensive than a formal letter of recommendation.
Do I need an advisor?
Yes, HIA applicants are required to arrange a faculty advisor for their thesis project. Group projects require one faculty advisor for the whole group. When you've found an advisor, have them complete this Advisor Consent Form. Students should email their advisor consent form to artsinstitute@stanford.edu no later than April 16, 2025.
Who can be an advisor?
Preference will be given to projects advised by members of the academic council (that is - instructors with the title Professor, Associate Professor, or Assistant Professor). Senior lecturers, Jones lecturers and Stegner Fellows are also eligible to advise HIA projects. Other kinds of lecturers may be eligible to advise in some cases; please email Jessi Pipert for questions about eligibility.
How do I find an advisor?
It can take some time to secure an advisor, so start as early as you can. Think about instructors whose interests and expertise align with your project. Send them an email asking if they would be willing to advise your proposed HIA project - be sure to include a brief description of your project and a link to the HIA website. You might also check out these resources on connecting with faculty.
Is the reference and advisor the same person?
Often yes, but not always. Your advisors is welcome to serve as your reference if they already know your work well enough to answer the questions on the recommendation form. If not, your reference can be a different instructor at Stanford.
Student Eligibility
Who is eligible to apply?
Students in any major are able to apply in spring quarter of their junior year, as long as they will not graduate before spring of the following year. Students can apply individually or as part of a team-based project.
I'm interested in pursuing the Honors in the Arts as part of a team project. Is this possible?
Yes, team-based projects are encouraged. If you are applying as a team, each applicant's proposal should highlight their specific contribution to the project, and should include a description of the roles and responsibilities each team member will take on during the project lifecycle. Each team member will need to submit their individual transcript, preparation courses, academic reference, and project proposal. However, team members can submit the same project abstract and should agree on a single faculty advisor.
I’m interested in this program, but I’m not a junior yet. What should I do to prepare?
Students wishing to participate in the Honors in the Arts program are required to take at least three courses that prepare them to successfully execute an interdisciplinary arts thesis project. These courses should be from at least two different departments. You should plan to complete at least two of these courses prior to entering the program. Courses will normally be at least two units and will have been taken for a letter grade.
Students may also consider pursuing the new Interdisciplinary Arts Minor as a pathway to HIA. Learn more about the Inter-Arts Minor here.
My GPA is below 3.4. Am I ineligible to apply?
A minimum overall GPA of 3.4 will normally be required for admission into the program. However, we understand that while GPA is one indicator of assessing overall merit, innovative thinking does not necessarily get reflected in GPA. We want applicants who are interested in excellent, searching work. Applicants will be able to provide additional information demonstrating how their qualifications can be judged outside of their GPA.
Can I do HIA along with a different Honors program?
Yes. However, you should plan to complete two separate projects.
I'm required to do a capstone for my major. Can my HIA project fulfill this requirement?
Possibly! Some programs (like HumBio) allow HIA to fulfill their capstone requirement, but this decision is at your department's discretion. Students are not permitted to submit their HIA project for units in another class.
I'm doing the inter-arts minor. Can I do HIA as well?
The Inter-Arts Minor offers a great pathway to prepare for Honors in the Arts. Any Inter-Arts minors interested in HIA need to apply to the program in spring of junior year. Usually, declared inter-arts minors who gain admittance to HIA will drop the minor. In some cases, it is possible to complete both the inter-arts minor and HIA, but it requires an adjusted study plan to be approved by the faculty director.
Can I do the Honors program and go abroad?
HIA students must be enrolled in the workshop during all three quarters of senior year. However, it may be possible to attend the workshop remotely during one academic quarter, pending approval of the workshop instructor and faculty director.
Contact:
Stanford Arts Institute
artsinstitute@stanford.edu
