Honors Contract forms must be completed by the student. Current Honors students can access contract applications in the Honors College Canvas Community.

Initial Honors Contracts are due no later than the 12th class day by 11:59pm
If revisions are required, the revised proposal is due no later than the 17th class day by 11:59pm
You are strongly encouraged to have your contract in well before the deadline to provide ample time to complete any required revisions

At the end of the semester, your faculty partner will review your project as to whether it satisfies the requirements specified in the contract.

What is an Honors College Contract?

Honors contracts are advanced academic agreements between students, faculty, and the Honors College that provide an opportunity for students to engage in in-depth, independent study or research projects within their chosen discipline. These contracts are typically designed for undergraduate students who have demonstrated a high level of academic achievement and are seeking additional intellectual challenges and opportunities. Upper-level courses are those within the 3000 & 4000 level. No more than 2 contracts can be completed within a single semester.  

Honors contracts provide motivated and academically driven students with an enriched academic experience that fosters intellectual growth, independent research skills, and specialized knowledge in their chosen discipline. They offer a platform for students to pursue their intellectual passions and contribute to the advancement of knowledge in their field while receiving mentorship and recognition from the Honors College and faculty advisors.

Upper-Level Honors Contracts Quick Reference
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  1. Upper-Level Honors Explanation 

Upper-Level Honors Explanation 

Upper-level Honors contracts are advanced academic agreements between students, faculty, and the Honors College that provide an opportunity for students to engage in in-depth, independent study or research projects within their chosen discipline. These contracts are typically designed for upper-level undergraduate students who have demonstrated a high level of academic achievement and are seeking additional intellectual challenges and opportunities. Upper-level courses are those within the 3000 & 4000 level. No more than 2 contracts can be completed within a single semester.   

Upper-level Honors contracts provide motivated and academically driven students with an enriched academic experience that fosters intellectual growth, independent research skills, and specialized knowledge in their chosen discipline. They offer a platform for students to pursue their intellectual passions and contribute to the advancement of knowledge in their field while receiving mentorship and recognition from the Honors College and faculty advisors. 

Key features and benefits of Honors contracts: 

  • Honors contracts allow students to design and pursue a customized learning experience tailored to their academic interests, goals, and career aspirations. Students have the flexibility to explore specialized topics, delve deeper into their major field of study, or explore interdisciplinary connections.
  • Honors contracts involve close collaboration with a faculty mentor. This mentorship provides valuable guidance, expertise, and support throughout the project. The faculty mentor helps students refine their research objectives, navigate the research process, and provide feedback and mentorship to ensure academic rigor and success. 
  • Engaging in an Honors contract cultivates and enhances critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills. Students learn to independently navigate scholarly literature, collect and analyze data, and make evidence-based conclusions. These skills are highly valued in academic and professional settings and contribute to students’ overall intellectual development.
  • Completing an Honors contract project may provide opportunities for students to present their research findings at conferences, publish their work in scholarly journals, or participate in other professional development activities. These experiences contribute to students’ networking, establish connections with experts in their field, and enhance their credentials for future academic pursuits or professional careers. 
  • The Honors Contract does not affect the student’s grade in the course. To receive honors credit for the course, the student must complete the contract satisfactorily. If a student does not complete the work specified in the contract, they do not receive honors credit, but the course grade is not affected. At the completion of the contract the Honors Office notifies the Registrar to add the “honors” notation to the course if the contract has been successfully completed.

Why would I want to pursue an Honors College Contract?

Honors College Contracts offer several benefits, such as the opportunity to engage in more challenging coursework, work closely with faculty mentors, conduct in-depth research, and delve deeper into your academic interests. Additionally, completing an Honors College Contract often leads to special recognition on your diploma and transcript.

Where do I get a Contract Proposal Form?

Current Honors students can access the contact proposal form in the Honors College Canvas Community

What final form should the contract report take?

That is between you and your instructor, although you may contact the Honors College with any questions or concerns you might have.

What courses can be used for contracts?

Any 3000-level or above course, not including regular Honors-only courses. Most students contract courses in their major or minor, but you may contract any 3000-level or above courses in any discipline. Please note that courses in which an honors section is offered are ineligible for honors contracts.

What is the deadline for turning in the Contract Proposal Form?

Barring extenuating circumstances, proposal forms are due at the end of the 12th day of the semester.

How detailed does my contract proposal need to be?

Give as much detail as possible. Certainly, avoid overly general descriptions, such as “student will write an extra paper.” If your contract description is too general, it will be returned to you for revision.

How many contracts can I do each semester?

A maximum of two Honors contracts can be completed in any semester, unless permission is obtained from the Dean. In extenuating circumstances, a student may contract three courses, but they must have advance approval from the Dean. Under no circumstances can a student contract more than three classes in a semester.

How do I choose a course to contract, and how do I get the instructor to agree to the contract?

You should try to choose courses that interest you and for which contracts will be real benefits to you. Regardless, you need to form a general idea of what a contract project might be (or at least be able to tell the professor which course topics you find particularly interesting). Don’t approach a professor without any ideas. When you have a basic contract idea, approach your instructor and, if necessary, explain what a contract is. Do your best to design a contract topic that is interesting and useful for both you and your instructor.

Do I get a grade for the contract?

No, but in order to receive Honors credit for successfully completing a contract, you must earn an A or B in the course.

Is it possible to do a contract with a professor if I am not taking a course with that professor?

No. Contracts are projects that can only be done in courses in which you are currently enrolled; however, pending your course instructor’s approval, you may also work in consultation with another professor on the course contract project.

Is it possible to contract a study abroad course?

Yes. Students may contract one study abroad course for Honors credit with prior approval from the Dean.

Is it possible to contract a course over the summer or in an 8-week course?

Students who have extenuating circumstances (e.g. are graduating early or started the Honors College after their first semester), might be able to contract a summer or 8-week course, but only with the Dean’s approval. You must schedule an appointment with the Dean prior to the Summer Session or the start of the 8-week course to discuss the additional requirements needed to do a summer or 8-week contract. Any contract forms submitted for summer or 8-week course will not be considered if you have not received prior approval.

What counts as an Honors project?

Faculty are the arbiters of what enrichment activities within their fields best represent an experience that can augment regular class activities for Honors students. Students are welcome to share ideas about how to elevate the course with the contracting faculty member.

What type of work should be completed on a contract?

The particular requirements will vary based on the nature of the class and the interests of the student and professor. The work completed for a foreign language course would be quite different than that completed for a studio art class or a chemistry class. Whatever the work, it should be mutually agreeable to both the student and the professor. This can include research projects, creative work, demonstration and application of an advanced skill, service based learning project etc.

What happens if I don’t earn the required class grade?

If the Honors College student earns a course grade below a B, they will not receive Honors credit even if all the supplemental work is completed. The student will still get university credit for the course.

What is the difference between an Honors contract and an Honors thesis project?

An honors contract is appended to an existing non-honors course. An honors thesis is a research project that requires extensive reading, writing, and experimentation and extends 2 or more semesters.

Can I cancel an Honors contract?

Yes, but only after (1) meeting with your professor and discussing the circumstances leading you to this decision, and (2) contacting the Honors College office in regard to the canceled contract. Remember, your professor has also made a commitment in arranging the contract with you, and a canceled contract may mean that a professor has undertaken work on his or her own behalf that is now no longer necessary. The Honors College office needs to know about the cancellation in order to update your Honors file. Note that canceling a contract may put you behind with your Honors Program requirements.

What if I do not complete my contract?

You will need to meet with the Dean of the Honors College to discuss the next steps.