Working with students on their theses comprises one of the most rewarding and, concurrently, challenging parts of my job.  I have several rules I apply when considering whether I'll serve as a students' advisor or reader (summarized below).

1.  Empirical vs. Literature-Review Theses:

I only advise 6-credit empirical theses.  Based on my own educational background, a thesis is in fact a novel empirical contribution -- that's my model for a thesis.  Thus, I don't advise students whose proposed theses are 3-credit literature-based theses.

1A.  I will, typically, serve as a reader for 3-credit theses.

2.  Number of theses I can advise at one time:

I give my students an awful lot of my time in my capacity as thesis advisor.  As such, generally, as a rule, I can typically only advise about 2-3 at one time.  Some students work more effectively in an independent capacity than others -- so sometimes I'll take on a student who is highly independent (and effective) in workstyle even if I have a large number of students at a given time.  However, as a rule, I will only advise 2-3 (that rule allows me to do the best possible job I can).

3.  Thesis topics:

I recently developed a research agenda that synthesizes my work on emotional intelligence and mating patterns in humans.  Specifically, I'm now devoting my research energies to developing indices of mating intelligence (individual differences in the ability to deal effectively information relevant to mating-relevant issues (e.g., knowing accurately what factors are attractive to members of the opposite sex)).  Given the ambitious nature of my research agenda, and my desire to remain focused on completing work in that domain, I am currently looking to only advise students whose theses bear directly on mating intelligence.

4.  Serving as a reader:

Generally, serving as a reader takes much less time than advising theses directly; as such, I typically am glad to serve as a reader for students, regardless of topic of kind of thesis.

5.  Departmental thesis guidelines:

The New Paltz Psychology Department has several rules that students are to follow in completing a thesis; I appreciate if all students who ask me to help them work their theses are aware of these guidelines (see http://www.newpaltz.edu/psychology/graduateprogram/gradbook.html#thesis).

6.  Timeline:

It is important that advisees and advisors match in workstyle.  As a rule, I start and complete my work early.  Accordingly, I expect the same of the particular students who work directly under my supervision.  Generally, I only will advise students who approach me to serve as an advisor before the end of the Spring semester of their first year.