Honors Project

• Overview
• Your Topic
• Faculty Sponsor
• Proposal
• Presenting Your Project

Your Topic

When it comes to your Honors Project, there are no formulas or limits. Students have produced videos; mounted photography, sculpture, and art exhibits; written poetry manuscripts, novellas, and scientific papers; designed an aerodynamically advanced golf putter; practiced nursing in the Dominican Republic; done field research in California; and explored topics such as cultural competency in the classroom. Above all, it should be one that challenges you creatively and cognitively, that captures your heart and mind, and is your original work.

We encourage you to think about your project as early as possible. Think about the classes that especially intrigue you. Get to know the professor and find out what research and creative work he or she is doing. Cultivate academic relationships with potential faculty sponsors early and keep those relationships alive.

You may do your Honors Project in your major, your minor, or any other area of interest. For example, a Biological Sciences major has done a project in photography, and a Marine Affairs major has done a project in philosophy. The norm, however, is for students to propose topics within their major or minor field of study. Ideally, it will focus your attention on a topic of your own selection about which you feel passionate.

In selecting your topic, think about what you want to learn, how you want to be different, what skill sets you want to attain. Talk to as many people as possible, including faculty who are familiar with the subject matter you have chosen to learn about. Make an appointment with people in the field of study who may be able to offer ideas and support. Review the Honors Project abstracts and summaries from previous years on Digital Commons.

Academic Credits

Most students complete 3-credit projects. Think of this as about 10 hours of focused work per week during a typical semester (thus 6 credits would be 20 hours per week).

Depending on the needs and possibilities of your program of studies and the scope of the project you undertake, you may choose to do a 3-credit or 6-credit project. Your faculty sponsor and the Honors Program staff can give you guidance. When you undertake a 3-credit project, you register for HPR 401. When a project is substantial enough and the time commitment warrants it, the project may be done for 6 credits, and you will sign up for both HPR 401 and HPR 402. Frequently, 6-credit Honors Projects are done over the course of two semesters. Registration for HPR 401/402 can occur in J-term and summer semesters as well as during the fall and spring semesters.

Some students request that the Honors Project credits also count for credit towards their major/minor degree. Approval for this is at the discretion of the Department Chair of your academic major/minor, and his or her signature on your Honors Project Proposal and Application will indicate approval for such. If you are granted major/minor credit, it may also be necessary to submit a “Curriculum Modification” form to the College from which you are graduating. Check with the Department Chair about this.