Honors Program
Honors Options Guidelines for Currently Enrolled Honors Students
The Honors Program is an academic program of study wherein students complete 12 credits of Honors coursework in tandem with their respective programs of study. The Honors coursework can be completed in the form of Honors Options and the Honors Interdisciplinary Seminar (INT 250). The Honors seminar is the only course specifically required for completion of the Honors Program and is offered only in the Spring semester. The remaining credits are derived from coursework which the student and the instructor have agreed to designate as an in-class Honors option. Only 7.5 credits of Honors coursework may be carried in any given semester. All Honors coursework and completion of the Honors Program is designated as such on the student transcript.
Honors Options are available in many of the courses offered on campus. Some classes may lend themselves more readily to Honors options than others. Students must negotiate a project relevant to the course topic with the instructor that allows the student to learn more about a specific issue. Honors options should challenge students while helping them to learn more about the course and their own approach to learning.
Honors Option Guidelines
- First, consider which course you would like to pursue an in-class Honors option. Theoretically, all courses have the potential to be an in-class Honors option, but the faculty member must agree to work with you on a specific project.
- Early in the semester, approach an instructor with whom you would like to work and see if an Honors option is available in their class.
- Students are encouraged to generate their own Honors option proposals, but they may need to seek guidance on appropriateness of subject matter or ambitiousness of the undertaking with the instructor.
- Work with the instructor on narrowing the topic and direction of the project. Be aware that this project is to advance your understanding of the course material.
- Be certain that both you and the instructor agree to and fully understand the parameters of the project prior to signing the Honors option form.
- COMPLETE the In-class Honors Registration Form. Receive the signatures of the course instructor and the Associate Dean of the division in which the course is being offered before submitting the form to the Honors Coordinator.
- In-class Honors Option Registration Forms should be submitted by the 15th day of instruction.
- When the Honors option project is completed to the satisfaction of the instructor, complete the Honors Options Completion Form prior to final exams.
- You may download both the In-class Honors Registration Form and the Honors Option Completion Form or obtain them from the Associate Dean for Curriculum and Instruction (Ed Knapp, 315-786-2418) or from the Admissions Office (315-786-2277) or from the Honors Coordinator (Timothy Grosse, 315-786-2451).