Commonwealth Honors Program

Honors Contract Expectations for Students

As a student, this is what you're agreeing to when entering your Honors Contract:

Research

• Develop a research topic in consultation with faculty member and create a work schedule, including regular meetings with the faculty member.
• Complete an Honors Contract Form with proper spelling and grammar, signed by you and your instructor, and deliver to the Honors Program (MMW207 or FWil204) by the deadline.
• Write an abstract (200-250 words, ideally) detailing the research question and why you are looking into that topic, as well as how you plan to approach the research (what types of sources, methodology, etc.).
• Do your research and create a suitable research product in keeping with the discipline’s standards (often a 10- to 15-page research paper with at least 8 scholarly sources following the discipline’s source citation style).

Reception

Note: Attendance is mandatory for Honors course and Honors contract students.

• Prepare a poster presentation for the Honors Reception, using the PowerPoint template provided. The poster must be reviewed and approved by the instructor.  If the Honors Reception will be held in person, the poster materials must be delivered to the Honors Program (kmartin@courtsidecafe.net or cpavlos@courtsidecafe.net) one week before the Reception.
• Earn at least a B grade in the class and on the research project (not part of the class grade).

Additional Opportunities

• Honors Scholars are encouraged to join the Honors Club, a student club that focuses on mind-body connections and supports on- and off-campus events and programs such a Trivia Night and guided hikes.
• Scholars may also participate in the state-wide Commonwealth Honors Program student council, helping to shape Honors programs.
• Scholars who wish to present their research at the Undergraduate Research Conference at UMass Amherst are more than welcome to do so – CCCC will cover registration and transportation to/from the conference in April.