You can earn Honors credit by individually contracting with the instructor of a course by attempting an Honors by Contract. This is a great way to earn Honors credit without being in a full Honors Course. When students do an Honors by Contract they are still required to complete regular course work as well as an Honors Project and an Honors Presentation in class by the end of the semester. Please visit out Honors Program Student Handbook for more information.
You should start planning to identify a course at the beginning of the semester. Once you have decided on a course, discuss with the professor, early in the semester, ways of enhancing your learning and earning Honors credit by doing an Honors by Contract. At this point, you also want to provide the professor the Honors by Contract form.
In order to earn Honors credit for your Honors by Contract three steps are necessary:
1) Student identifies and speaks with the instructor who teaches the course the student wishes to take by contract. Complete the Honors by Contract form Part 1 and Part 2. Both student and instructor will sign and advance Part 1 and Part 2 of the Honors by Contract form to the Honors Program Director no later than the 5th week of class.
2) At the end of the semester your instructor will sign Part 3 of the Honors by Contract form, submit it to the Honors Program Director, along with a copy of your paper. Your professor will include a short statement that highlights the most significant features of your project and presentation.
3) If the Honors Program Director grants you Honors credit for the course, then the course number will be identified as carrying Honors credit on your transcript.
Honors By Contract Form
The Honors by Contract form can be picked up in the Honors Program Director's office (E213V). You can also obtain the form online from the link below.
Fall 2008
Part 1 and Part 2 of the Honors by Contract form is due to the Honors Program Director by Friday, September 12th, 2008 at 5:00 pm.
Spring 2009
Part 1 and Part 2 of the Honors by Contract form is due to the Honors Program Director by Friday, February 13th, 2009 at 5:00 pm.
Levels of Recognition
Successful completion of an Honors by Contract could lead to several levels of recognition:
- You will receive honors designation on your transcript for each course.
- If you complete 9 hours of honors credit with a cumulative 3.5 GPA and 25 hours of community service, you will be recognized at commencement and receive the designation of Honors Scholar on your transcript. You will receive silver and mauve chords to wear at graduation.
- If you complete 15 hours of honors credit with a cumulative 3.5 GPA, you will be recognized at commencement and receive the designation of Honors Program Graduate on your transcript. You will receive a medallion to wear at graduation
- If you complete 15 hours of honors credit with a cumulative 3.5 GPA and 25 hours of community service, you will be recognized at commencement and receive the designation of Honors Scholar with Distinction on your transcript. You will receive a medallion and gold and mauve chords to wear at graduation.