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
These requirements must be met before graduation for a student to earn a degree with University Honors.
Because of revisions to the Honors Program curriculum and expectations, the requirements for students in different years of the program are specified below.
Requirements for all Honors Students Matriculating in/after Fall 2021
- HONR 101: Honors City as Text –1 credit. HONR 101 must be completed in the first Fall semester of participation in the Honors Program
- Honors-designated coursework– minimum 12 credits, across the curriculum
- Honors Service Learning – HONR 201 –1 credit, taken in the second year
- Honors Program Leadership requirement (tracked as HONR 002)
- Capstone Prep Workshop (tracked as HONR 005), taken 1-2 semesters before Capstone Project
- Capstone Project – minimum 3 credits of individual study (491, 492, or a comparable approved course) completed during the last year of study at UMW, and presentation of the research or creative project at the Honors Program Symposium (fall semester), Research and Creativity Day (spring semester), or another pre-approved comparable venue. The Honors Capstone Project typically is completed, and earns credit, 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.
Track A prior to Fall 2021 – Admitted to HP at UMW matriculation
- Honors-designated first-year seminar (FSEM HN) – 3 credits
- Honors-designated coursework – 9 credits beyond FSEM HN
- Honors Service Learning – HONR 201 — 1 credit
- Honors Program leadership requirement
- Capstone Preparation– students matriculating before 2019 may fulfill this with an approved discipline-specific research methods course OR HONR 005, Capstone Prep Workshop. Students matriculating in or after Fall 2019 will fulfill the requirement with HONR 005 at least one semester before completing the Capstone Project.
- Capstone Project – a minimum of 3 credits of independent study (491, 492, or a comparable approved course) completed during the last year of study at UMW, and presentation of the research or creative project at the Honors Program Symposium (fall semester), Research and Creativity Day (spring semester), or another pre-approved comparable venue. The Honors Capstone Project typically is completed, and earns credit, 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.
Track B prior to Fall 2021– Admitted to HP during first year at UMW or as transfer student
- Honors designated coursework – 12 credits (may include an Honors FSEM)
- Honors Service Learning – HONR 201 (1 credit)
- Honors Program leadership requirement
- Capstone Preparation– students matriculating before 2019 may fulfill this with an approved discipline-specific research methods course OR HONR 005, Capstone Prep Workshop. Students matriculating in or after Fall 2019 will fulfill the requirement with HONR 005 at least one semester before completing the Capstone Project.
- Capstone Project – a minimum of 3 credits of independent study (491, 492, or a comparable approved course) completed during the last year of study at UMW, and presentation of the research or creative project at the Honors Program Symposium (fall semester), Research and Creativity Day (spring semester), or another pre-approved comparable venue. The Honors Capstone Project typically is completed, and earns credit, 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.
Withdraw from the Honors Program
If you are thinking of withdrawing from the Honors Program, we encourage you to first discuss your decision with Dr. Slunt or Scanlon. If you decide that withdrawal is your best course of action, you should complete this form to officially disenroll.