{"id":2410,"date":"2023-09-08T15:35:19","date_gmt":"2023-09-08T15:35:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/honors\/?page_id=2410"},"modified":"2026-09-09T16:56:52","modified_gmt":"2026-09-09T16:56:52","slug":"honors-contracts","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/honors\/honors-contracts\/","title":{"rendered":"Honors Contracts"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 id=\"0-what-is-an-honors-college-contract\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is an Honors College Contract?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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 and 4000 levels. No more than two contracts can be completed within a single semester.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Key features and benefits of Honors Contracts:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Honors Contract does not affect the student\u2019s grade in the course. To receive honors credit for the course, the student must complete the contract satisfactorily and earn an A or B in the course. 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. Upon the completion of the contract, the Honors Office notifies the Registrar to add the &#8220;honors&#8221; notation to the course if the contract has been successfully completed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>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.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>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 draw evidence-based conclusions. These skills are highly valued in academic and professional settings and contribute to students\u2019 overall intellectual development.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>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\u2019 networking, establish connections with experts in their field, and enhance their credentials for future academic pursuits or professional careers.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-advgb-accordions advgb-accordions-4964a568-6ff5-41a3-a752-fcdc9048eeb6 advgb-accordion-wrapper\" data-collapsed=\"true\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-advgb-accordion-item advgb-accordion-item\" style=\"margin-bottom:15px\"><div class=\"advgb-accordion-header\" style=\"background-color:#4f2d7f;color:#ffffff;border-style:solid;border-width:1px;border-radius:2px\"><span class=\"advgb-accordion-header-icon accordion-state\"><svg fill=\"#ffffff\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path fill=\"none\" d=\"M0,0h24v24H0V0z\"><\/path><path d=\"M19,13h-6v6h-2v-6H5v-2h6V5h2v6h6V13z\"><\/path><\/svg><svg fill=\"#ffffff\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path fill=\"none\" d=\"M0,0h24v24H0V0z\"><\/path><path d=\"M19,13H5v-2h14V13z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><h3 class=\"advgb-accordion-header-title\" style=\"color:inherit\">Where do I find the Contract Proposal Form?<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"advgb-accordion-body\" style=\"border-style:solid !important;border-width:1px !important;border-color:undefined !important;border-top:none !important;border-radius:2px !important\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Current Honors students can access the &#8220;Contract Proposal&#8221; form in the Honors College Canvas Community. The &#8220;Contract Proposal&#8221; form must be completed by the student.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For the contract proposal, give as much detail as possible. Avoid overly general descriptions, such as \u201cstudent will write an extra paper.\u201d If your contract description is too general, it will be returned to you for revision.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-advgb-accordions advgb-accordions-c4216879-66c1-4b72-bd9b-1ac82af163a3 advgb-accordion-wrapper\" data-collapsed=\"true\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-advgb-accordion-item advgb-accordion-item\" style=\"margin-bottom:15px\"><div class=\"advgb-accordion-header\" style=\"background-color:#4f2d7f;color:#eee;border-style:solid;border-width:1px;border-radius:2px\"><span class=\"advgb-accordion-header-icon accordion-state\"><svg fill=\"#ffffff\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path fill=\"none\" d=\"M0,0h24v24H0V0z\"><\/path><path d=\"M19,13h-6v6h-2v-6H5v-2h6V5h2v6h6V13z\"><\/path><\/svg><svg fill=\"#ffffff\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path fill=\"none\" d=\"M0,0h24v24H0V0z\"><\/path><path d=\"M19,13H5v-2h14V13z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><h3 class=\"advgb-accordion-header-title\" style=\"color:inherit\">What final form should the contract take?<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"advgb-accordion-body\" style=\"border-style:solid !important;border-width:1px !important;border-color:undefined !important;border-top:none !important;border-radius:2px !important\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That is between you and your instructor, although you may contact the Honors College with any questions or concerns you might have.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-advgb-accordions advgb-accordions-d4580657-e658-4f77-b699-bfa1fd6615ce advgb-accordion-wrapper\" data-collapsed=\"true\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-advgb-accordion-item advgb-accordion-item\" style=\"margin-bottom:15px\"><div class=\"advgb-accordion-header\" style=\"background-color:#4f2d7f;color:#eee;border-style:solid;border-width:1px;border-radius:2px\"><span class=\"advgb-accordion-header-icon accordion-state\"><svg fill=\"#ffffff\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path fill=\"none\" d=\"M0,0h24v24H0V0z\"><\/path><path d=\"M19,13h-6v6h-2v-6H5v-2h6V5h2v6h6V13z\"><\/path><\/svg><svg fill=\"#ffffff\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path fill=\"none\" d=\"M0,0h24v24H0V0z\"><\/path><path d=\"M19,13H5v-2h14V13z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><h3 class=\"advgb-accordion-header-title\" style=\"color:inherit\">What courses can be used for contracts?<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"advgb-accordion-body\" style=\"border-style:solid !important;border-width:1px !important;border-color:undefined !important;border-top:none !important;border-radius:2px !important\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Any 3000-level or above course. Please note that courses in which an Honors section is already offered are ineligible for Honors contracts. Additionally, contracts are projects that can only be completed in courses in which you are currently enrolled, working directly with the professor teaching the course.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-advgb-accordions advgb-accordions-525382bb-181a-416a-bd33-5fec76eaa20a advgb-accordion-wrapper\" data-collapsed=\"true\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-advgb-accordion-item advgb-accordion-item\" style=\"margin-bottom:15px\"><div class=\"advgb-accordion-header\" style=\"background-color:#4f2d7f;color:#eee;border-style:solid;border-width:1px;border-radius:2px\"><span class=\"advgb-accordion-header-icon accordion-state\"><svg fill=\"#fff\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path fill=\"none\" d=\"M0,0h24v24H0V0z\"><\/path><path d=\"M19,13h-6v6h-2v-6H5v-2h6V5h2v6h6V13z\"><\/path><\/svg><svg fill=\"#fff\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path fill=\"none\" d=\"M0,0h24v24H0V0z\"><\/path><path d=\"M19,13H5v-2h14V13z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><h3 class=\"advgb-accordion-header-title\" style=\"color:inherit\">How do I choose a course to contract, and how do I get the instructor to agree to the contract?<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"advgb-accordion-body\" style=\"border-style:solid !important;border-width:1px !important;border-color:undefined !important;border-top:none !important;border-radius:2px !important\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-advgb-accordions advgb-accordions-bc74f8bd-5f0f-413a-a421-7423a18632d4 advgb-accordion-wrapper\" data-collapsed=\"true\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-advgb-accordion-item advgb-accordion-item\" style=\"margin-bottom:15px\"><div class=\"advgb-accordion-header\" style=\"background-color:#4f2d7f;color:#eee;border-style:solid;border-width:1px;border-radius:2px\"><span class=\"advgb-accordion-header-icon accordion-state\"><svg fill=\"#fff\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path fill=\"none\" d=\"M0,0h24v24H0V0z\"><\/path><path d=\"M19,13h-6v6h-2v-6H5v-2h6V5h2v6h6V13z\"><\/path><\/svg><svg fill=\"#fff\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path fill=\"none\" d=\"M0,0h24v24H0V0z\"><\/path><path d=\"M19,13H5v-2h14V13z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><h3 class=\"advgb-accordion-header-title\" style=\"color:inherit\">Is it possible to contract a course over the summer, during a study abroad, or in an 8-week course?<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"advgb-accordion-body\" style=\"border-style:solid !important;border-width:1px !important;border-color:undefined !important;border-top:none !important;border-radius:2px !important\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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\u2019s 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 <sup><\/sup>complete a summer or 8-week contract. Any contract forms submitted for a summer or 8-week course will not be considered if you have not received prior approval.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Additionally, students may contract one study abroad course for Honors credit with prior approval from the Dean.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-advgb-accordions advgb-accordions-1a096de4-b972-40db-9d3f-14b0056726ec advgb-accordion-wrapper\" data-collapsed=\"true\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-advgb-accordion-item advgb-accordion-item\" style=\"margin-bottom:15px\"><div class=\"advgb-accordion-header\" style=\"background-color:#4f2d7f;color:#eee;border-style:solid;border-width:1px;border-radius:2px\"><span class=\"advgb-accordion-header-icon accordion-state\"><svg fill=\"#fff\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path fill=\"none\" d=\"M0,0h24v24H0V0z\"><\/path><path d=\"M19,13h-6v6h-2v-6H5v-2h6V5h2v6h6V13z\"><\/path><\/svg><svg fill=\"#fff\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path fill=\"none\" d=\"M0,0h24v24H0V0z\"><\/path><path d=\"M19,13H5v-2h14V13z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><h3 class=\"advgb-accordion-header-title\" style=\"color:inherit\">What is the difference between an Honors Contract and an Honors Thesis?<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"advgb-accordion-body\" style=\"border-style:solid !important;border-width:1px !important;border-color:undefined !important;border-top:none !important;border-radius:2px !important\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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 two or more semesters.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>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 &#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":62,"featured_media":580,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"template-fullwidth.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"advgb_blocks_editor_width":"","advgb_blocks_columns_visual_guide":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-2410","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"featured_image_src":null,"coauthors":[],"author_meta":{"author_link":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/honors\/blog\/author\/kyle-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-3\/","display_name":"kyle"},"relative_dates":{"created":"Posted 3 years ago","modified":"Updated 6 days ago"},"absolute_dates":{"created":"Posted on September 8, 2023","modified":"Updated on September 9, 2026"},"absolute_dates_time":{"created":"Posted on September 8, 2023 3:35 pm","modified":"Updated on September 9, 2026 4:56 pm"},"featured_img_caption":"","featured_img":false,"series_order":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/honors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2410","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/honors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/honors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/honors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/62"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/honors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2410"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/honors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2410\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3427,"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/honors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2410\/revisions\/3427"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/honors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2410"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}