Honors Distinction: A pathway to excellence

Honors Distinction
Noted on both the diploma and the transcript, Honors Distinction is the highest distinction of the UMW Honors Program. Honors Distinction recipients receive a bachelor’s hood as well as a cord. To graduate with an Honors Distinction, a student must successfully complete at least 24 points of Honors classes, with at least 8 of the points at the 300-400 level and at least two Honors Forum points. The courses may fall into any of the following categories:

• Honors Coursework (100-400 level)
• Honors Forum (100 or 300 level)
• Honors Option Coursework (100-400 level)
• Honors Independent Study (HONR 392 or 492)
• Honors Thesis (499)
• Honors Conference Presentation (HONR 490P)
• Honors Study Abroad

• Honors Coursework at any level can be used to satisfy the 24 points needed for an Honors Distinction. Each credit is worth 1 point.
  
  
• Honors Forum at any level can be used to satisfy the 24 points needed for an Honors Distinction. Each credit is worth 1 point.
  
  
• Honors Option Coursework gives a standard 100-400 level course an Honors designation (H). For example, M317 with an Honors Option would be listed as M317H on a student's transcript and count towards the Honors Distinction points. Guidelines:
  • The Honors Option allows a standard course (100 to 400 level) to count for Honors points by incorporating additional work (over and above the work required for the class). This additional work must be proposed by the Honors student as an independent, Honors- level component (a paper, presentation, or project, for example), accomplished in addition to the standard coursework and include at least one of the following: be reading and writing intensive, incorporate service-learning, independent research and /or creative endeavor or study abroad. Honors students should develop Honors Option ideas and approach the professor teaching the course before the start of the course.
  • The Honors Option Agreement is a contract between student and professor, with terms designed and agreed upon by both parties outlining the Honors Option. The student must initiate the Honors Option process and both student and professor must sign the Specialized Course form outlining the Honors Option Project (available at: https://www.umwestern.edu/registrar-forms/ ). The contract should then be signed by the Honors Committee Chair* who will pass it on to the registrar.
  • If the professor judges the Honors Option is successfully completed** in accordance with the Honors Option Agreement and the student passes in the traditional portion of course***, the student is given an Honors designation (H) for the course. If a student does not successfully complete the Honors Option Agreement no Honors designation (H) is given for the course.
    • Example 1: A student (proficient in art) takes a 300 level History of Mathematics course and proposes to paint a series of paintings illustrating the development of Cantor's concepts of infinities culminating in the Continuum Hypothesis. The paintings will be displayed in the hall of the newly renovated Block Hall. The mural will be judged by the professor in three ways: first the professor will examine the mural to make sure it conveys the complexity of Cantor's concepts of infinities while maintaining historical accuracy, next the student will explain to the professor how the illustration suffices to convey Cantor's ideas and finally the student will satisfy the professor's ensuing inquiries.
    • Example 2: A student proposes to complete two additional assignments for an Ecology course: (1) Develop and present a field lecture and associated activity (e.g., vegetation measurements, data presentation or analysis, including a student assessment device) that elaborates and illustrates concepts from one of the assigned readings. (2) Deliver an oral presentation and defense of their final research project. Assessment is based on the quality of the lecture and the oral presentation.
  
  
  
• Honors Thesis (4-8 points) (HONR 499) should be interdisciplinary and incorporate the components of Honors: be reading and writing intensive, incorporate service-learning, offer the opportunity for independent research and /or creative endeavors or offer opportunity for study abroad.
  
  • Honors theses should incorporate a public presentation. This may be a research talk, a play, an art exbibit, etc.
  • Students may sign up for their thesis under HONR 499 or request of the Honors Committee Chair* that their thesis (under any rubric) may be considered to count for Honors points.
    
  • The student and mentor should fill out a mutually agreeable specialized course form specifying the details (available at: https://www.umwestern.edu/registrar-forms/).
    
  • The contract must then then be signed by the Honors Committee Chair* who will pass it on to the registrar.
  
  
  
• Honors Independent Study (1-4 points) (HONR 392 or 492) The student and instructor should fill out a mutually agreeable specialized course form specifying the details (available at: https://www.umwestern.edu/registrar-forms/ ). The form should then be signed by the Honors Committee Chair* who will pass it on to the registrar.
  
  
• Honors Conference Presentation HONR 490P (1 point). Students presenting at an Honors Conference can register for a 1-credit course that prepares them for presenting at an Honors Conference. The student should find an appropriate mentor and fill out a mutually agreeable specialized course form specifying the details (available at: https://www.umwestern.edu/registrar-forms/ ).
  
  
• Honors Study Abroad. (flexible points) Points towards an Honors Distinction can also be earned by taking graduate level courses or experiential study courses at other institutions (anywhere the world). For instance, a student may take an immersive Spanish language and culture course in Madrid, or a Venetian glassblowing course offered in Prague. For these courses, the Honors student must, prior to enrolling in the course abroad, present a plan of study to the Honors Committee Chair* and receive written permission to use this course for a prespecified number of points towards an Honors Distinction.
  Note: UMW is not associated with these and the UMW Honors Program has no responsibility for any part of these courses (travel, insurance, etc.). The Honors Study Abroad pathway simply allows experiential courses that enhance a student's course of study offered through other institutions to count towards an Honors Distinction.
  Note: No credit through UMW is offered through this pathway. A transcript from the institution attended must be submitted to the Honors Committee Chair for documentation. Once received, the Honors Committee Chair* will award the prespecified points towards the Honors Distinction for successful completion*** of the course.

* The Honors Committee Chair may consult with Honors Committee members to discuss the contract.
** Successful completion means a mastery of the material and an excellent presentation.
*** To receive points towards the Honors Distinction, students must earn a C- or better in each graded course to earn points towards the Honors Distinction.