The hallmark of the Honors Program is completing Honors courses. Honors courses provide students with an interdisciplinary education emphasizing discussion, experiential learning, and intellectual curiosity. Be sure to talk to an Honors Advisor about your Honors requirement options, and work to incorporate Honors classes into your schedule when possible. However, for students with extremely limited flexibility in their course sequence, Honors contracts are an option. Students can complete these Honors contracts only if necessary (no designated Honors course exists in that area of study).
Course by Contract is the process by which to make a non-honors course count as a course necessary to fulfill your Honors Curriculum requirement.
Honors contracts must be submitted within the first two weeks of the semester.
HOW TO SUBMIT AN HONORS CONTRACT
1. Meet with your professor as soon as possible at the start of the semester. The professor will determine what modifications will be made course and applicable deadlines.
2. Complete the Course by Contract form with your professor. Ensure that the form is signed by the professor
3. Sign the form
4. Return the completed form to the Honors Academy Director by the end of the 2nd week of classes.
*If your form is denied, you will be sent an email explaining this.
HONORS PETITIONS
Students in extreme circumstances who find they cannot satisfy Honors Program Requirements due to an academic reason beyond their control are eligible to submit a petition (a) for additional contracts or (b) to count a co-curricular experience as a waiver for Honors course requirements. This is to be used as a last resort and students must speak with the Honors Academy Director before submitting a petition.
The case for a petition to be approved is rare, and a student must be able to adequately document the academic barriers that prevented them from taking a satisfactory number of Honors classes that does not include the choice to complete multiple majors or minors, take fewer than 15 credit hours in a given semester, or the choice not to take Honors classes when available.