Designated Honors Courses

Enriched Honors Courses 

Enriched honors courses are three-credit (or more) courses and seminars taught at the honors level with a 25-person enrollment capacity.

Honors Colloquia 

Honors colloquia are one-credit “add-ons” which enrich non-honors courses that exceed 25 students in capacity.

Honors Independent Study Courses 

Honors independent study courses are contracted with faculty, either as additional in-depth, independent work for a non-honors university course (one or two credits) or as a “stand-alone” honors independent study of your own design (three to six credits).

Six-Credit Intensive Language Courses 

Six-Credit Intensive Language Courses may be applied to Commonwealth Honors College requirements (maximum: two courses for 12 credits).

NOTE: These courses are not applicable to 300+ level honors requirements unless they are 300+ level courses.

UMass Amherst Graduate Courses at the 600, 700, and 800 Level 

UMass Amherst Graduate Courses at the 600, 700, and 800 level apply automatically to Commonwealth Honors College requirements.

Honors Thesis Course Options 

The Honors Thesis provides the culminating experience of a Commonwealth Honors College student’s academic life and is designed to provide CHC students with an opportunity to integrate their undergraduate experiences while preparing for their intended career paths. Whether you choose to work with a faculty member to design an individually contracted Honors Thesis or participate with other CHC students in a faculty-taught Thesis Seminar, you will have an opportunity to conduct in-depth scholarly research and complete a Research Manuscript or Creative Portfolio under the guidance of an experienced faculty mentor. The Honors Thesis is traditionally completed over two semesters in the senior year, divided into Honors Thesis Part 1 (three or more credits) and Honors Thesis Part 2 (three or more credits). View honors courses detailed descriptions.