Program Requirements

Program Requirements

The Honors Programs seeks to develop its exceptional scholars as intellectuals and ethical citizens who will lead, collaborate, and serve in the university community and well beyond.  Program requirements combine academic courses; opportunities for community engagement and diverse forms of leadership; and consistent reflective practice on personal achievements, challenges, and experiences in the undergraduate years.

Yearly Requirements for all Honors Scholars

• Maintain a 3.2 GPA overall  (Minimum GPA Requirement policy).
• Successfully complete a minimum of two Honors Program requirements per year (which may consist of Honors-designated academic courses, Honors Service Learning, or non-credited requirements like Leadership) until all of the requirements are fulfilled. Note: the capstone project, traditionally completed in the final year, is an exception.
• Attend an appropriate co-curricular event each semester (one for each term enrolled at UMW as an Honors scholar) and submit a reflection about the event by the last day of classes for the semester in which the event occurred.
• Maintain a portfolio of Honors Program work and activities.
• Attend meetings of the Honors Program scholars as necessary.

Honors scholars must fulfill these annual requirements to remain in good standing in the program. Exceptions to these policies can be made by the Faculty Honors Advisory Committee or the Director of the Honors Program in extraordinary circumstances.

Requirements for Coursework, Leadership, and Service

To remain in good standing in the Honors Program, you must cumulatively complete two requirements per academic year, not
including HONR 003 and HONR 004.

Requirement	Fulfilling the Requirement	Timeframe
HONR 101: City as Text	Participate in the early arrival program and pass the 8-week course that follows.	First fall semester as an Honors Student
HONR 003: Co-Curriculars	Attend a co-curricular event, then submit a written reflection to Canvas. A list of events can be found in the Honors Bulletin.	Once each semester
12 credits of HN-designated courses*	Using the Honors Course Schedule as reference, register for HN-designated courses, which are offered across the curriculum. Upon completion of the course fill out the reflection assignment found in Canvas.	Throughout a student’s time at UMW (one each academic year)
HONR 201: Service Learning	Complete and pass the 16-week course.	Often taken in a student’s second year
HONR 002: Leadership**	Submit a proposal by the term’s deadline. Upon approval, complete the leadership activities. Write and submit a reflection to Canvas.	Often completed in a student’s third year
HONR 005: Capstone Prep	Attend one prep course. Three prep courses are offered each semester with dates advertised in the Honors Bulletin.	At least one semester before your Capstone Project
Capstone Project	Complete and present Capstone Project at a public forum. The Honors Capstone Project typically is completed, and earns a minimum of 3 credits, in the student’s major or minor; HONR 491 may be used for interdisciplinary projects or in disciplines that do not have an approved individual study course.	After Capstone Prep. Proposal due one semester before Capstone Project. Generally completed in the final year.
HONR 004: Honors Portfolio	Compilation of the following items: HN-designated artifacts and course reflections Leadership reflection Co-curricular reflections Capstone Project  Graduating Senior reflection***	Throughout a student’s time at UMW

*HN courses are instructor and section specific.
**A proposal cannot be approved post-project. Prior approval is required.
***Due during the last semester at UMW prior to graduation.

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Because of revisions to the Honors Program curriculum and expectations, the requirements for students in who matriculated in earlier years of the program are specified below.