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The Curriculum
Commonwealth Honors College (CHC) is a four-year academic program that enhances the undergraduate experience. The honors curriculum is designed in two parts. The first part, "Breadth of Study," anchors students’ honors experience in their General Education coursework. In the second part, "Depth of Study," students concentrate their upper-level honors courses in their major through Departmental Honors, or outside their major through Multidisciplinary Honors, and complete an honors thesis or project. To fulfill honors requirements, honors courses must carry 3 or more credits and students must earn a B or better in all honors courses. HONORS CURRICULUM Breadth of Study (General Studies) is designed to help students to develop broad perspectives. Students from different disciplines come together to grapple with both the timeless issues of humanity and the current dilemmas facing our culture. Course requirements are:
Depth of Study (Advanced Scholarship) challenges students to engage in deep analysis by taking advanced level honors courses. Multidisciplinary Honors (MH) allows students to pursue advanced honors study in multiple areas of interest. Students interested in focusing advanced honors coursework in their major may pursue Departmental Honors (DH). Both DH and MH require that students complete an honors thesis or project in the senior year. This culminating experience allows students to contribute to the creation of new knowledge through a 6-credit research endeavor led by expert faculty. The minimum requirements for Depth of Study are:
Upon entry into Commonwealth Honors College, students are assigned to MH but may apply for DH. DH requirements vary by department and may exceed the minimum standards set by CHC. Students meet with the department’s Honors Program Director to request admission to Departmental Honors in their major. Students may apply to enter Commonwealth Honors College and pursue only the Depth of Study portion of the curriculum. Those students consider two options:
General Studies Honors – Commonwealth Honors College expects students to undertake research and complete a thesis or capstone project. Those who are unable to complete an honors thesis or project may be granted approval to pursue General Studies Honors after meeting with a CHC advisor. For General Studies Honors, students complete all requirements in the Breadth of Study portion of the curriculum and earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.400. INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARS PROGRAM CERTIFICATE The International Scholars Program Certificate combines academic learning with a substantial period of study abroad in order to provide students with the global competencies they will need to become informed and effective citizens of our increasingly interconnected world. Candidates for the certificate must be members of the International Scholars Program (ISP). They are expected to complete the program’s core curriculum, to study abroad for at least one semester during their junior year, and to complete a supplemental curriculum that they will design in consultation with the program’s director. The ISP certificate requires a minimum of 18 credits, and students must earn a B or better in all courses. Sophomore-year core curriculum
Junior-year study abroad Students must spend at least one semester on a university-approved study abroad program. Senior-year core curriculum One of the following courses:
Supplemental curriculum Candidates for the certificate must complete a supplemental curriculum of three additional courses, each worth 3 credits or more, drawn from the program’s main academic disciplines. |
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