Honors contracts are available to senior honors students only and provide an option for earning honors units. A student who wishes to undertake a contract would complete the contract submittal process at registration time to ensure that the contract is approved by the start of the semester. Students interested in pursuing contracts should contact the Honors Office where they will be matched with an advisor to guide them through the contract submittal process.

Upon completion of the contract, the faculty mentor will determine if the student has met the obligations set forth in the contract, and will advise the Honors Board as to the application of the honors units.

Listed below are the four forms of contracts that are generally available. Please note there may be differences in availability across the major areas.

• Course Enhancements: An Honors student who is registered for a traditional course may request to enter into a contract with a faculty member to cover material beyond the course objectives and must complete an additional substantive paper or project to earn honors units.


• Honors Seminars: Small groups of Honors students may be registered for an honors seminar class and a contract would be developed by the group and the faculty member. A seminar meets once per week and the students take on significant responsibility for presenting material and leading discussions. The faculty serves as a facilitator and mentor.


• Honors Independent Studies: Individual students may pursue an Honors Independent Study by entering into a contract with a faculty member. Independent Studies meet once per week and the student takes on significant responsibility for conducting research and completing papers or projects under the guidance of the instructor.


• Honors Internships: Honors students who wish to earn Honors Units through their internship may enter a contract to do so. It is expected that the level and quality of the work that the student will be performing, along with the academic outcomes, will be worthy of Honors Units.