Honors contracts are:

• An opportunity for undergraduate research
• A chance to delve deeper into your area of interest
• A chance to do in-depth learning with a mentor
• An opportunity to prepare for graduate level work

Honors contracts are not:

• Part of the expected workload of the class
• Busy work

Dear Professor,

One of your students has likely asked if you’d be willing to work with them on an honors contract for your course. Below is an introduction to the Honors Scholars Program (HSP) and additional details regarding Honors Contracts and what HSP will need from you, the instructor. We tell students to arrange their Honors contracts by the third Friday of the term.
 
HSP began in fall 2023 and allows students in any school or college to earn a certificate in honors.  The Honors certificate is distinct from departmental or college honors.  The idea behind HSP was to broaden participation in an honors program beyond the traditional cohort of 40 students per year in the University Honors and Leadership program (UHL). HSP and UHL are two completely different and independent tracks in the Honors Program now.  You can learn more about the HSP and how students earn the certificate at https://www.ucdenver.edu/honors/scholars.  
 
To make this certificate work, we need faculty help in allowing their students to create honors contracts to make existing classes honors level.  This should not require much additional work on the faculty’s part (don't plan to spend more than an hour on this total), and the options for the contract are varied. Below are examples and options for potential honors contracts:
 
• Assist with instructor research;
• Create, test, and/or evaluate a program;
• Prepare and present a class lecture or presentation;
• Complete a small group project with other honors students;
• Produce a research paper;
• Complete an additional assignment;
• Extend regular assignments (e.g., write a 10 page paper instead of a 7 page paper);
• Read additional materials and write book reports or annotated bibliographies;
• Design and test a lab project.
 

Additional honors contract examples are located here: Sample Honors Projects

To receive honors designation, the additional elements of labor for the student should be a minimum of 10 additional hours (in class and/or out of class work) beyond the regular courseload and not including any meetings to arrange the honors enrichment contract. You are encouraged to tell the student that the honors project will be evaluated as pass/fail--you can define pass, but we recommend a B- minimum.

It is the student’s obligation to take the lead on this, to write the contract and to submit the honors contract form located at: bit.ly/CUDHonorsContractForm. This intro letter is for faculty because HSP is a new program, and we are still working to inform the university of this new opportunity for students.

To reiterate, our internal deadline for honors contract submission is the third Friday of each term. At the end of the semester, it is your role as the professor to let us know at CUHSP@ucdenver.edu that your student has completed the contract with a “pass” and completed the course with a B- or better.

If you have any questions, concerns, or thoughts, please reach out to Jane Lickteig at CUHSP@ucdenver.edu.

1. Attend Classes & Review Syllabi (Week 1): Start going to your classes. Be sure to thoroughly review your class syllabi.
2. Choose a Course (Week 1): Think about which class and professor you’d like to work with on an honors project.
3. Brainstorm Ideas (Week 1): Start developing ideas for your honors contract. Sample projects are listed here.
4. Talk to Your Professor (Week 2): Ask your professor if they'd be willing to supervise your honors project.
5. Inform Them About HSP (Week 2): If your professors don't already know about HSP, go ahead and visit https://www.ucdenver.edu/honors/scholars/for-faculty  
6. Fill Out the Contract Form (Week 2): If they agree, complete this form at least a week prior to the due date: bit.ly/CUDHonorsContractForm.
7. Get Contract Approved (Week 3): Your form will be reviewed by your professor and HSP, and you will be emailed about any necessary changes to your contract.
8. Begin Your Project (Week 3): Complete your project during the semester. At the end, your professor will confirm if you've completed your contract, and the class with a B- or better.

Week 1:

-Attend classes & review syllabi

-Choose a course

-Brainstorm ideas

Week 2

-Talk to your professor

-Inform them about HSP

-Fill out the contract form

Week 3

-Get contract approved

-Begin your project

Students should meet with the faculty member during the first two weeks of class to arrange the honors contract.   Students are expected to meet individually with the faculty outside of class time to discuss the project(s) at least once prior to submission of the project(s).  Additional meetings are recommended as agreed upon.  Meetings can be in-person, via zoom, via phone, or via email as agreed upon by the instructor and the student. 

To received honors designation, the additional elements of labor should be a minimum of 10 additional hours (in class and/or out of class work) beyond the regular course work and not including the meetings to arrange the honors enrichment contract.

Please note that Honors activities are supplemental to regular course work and honors credit will be independent of the final grade.

Honors Contracts must include additional elements of labor beyond that of the already required coursework.  Below are examples of some but not all enrichment opportunities that the student and instructor might agree upon.

• Conduct an individual research project or assist with instructor research
• Create, test, and/or evaluate a program
• Prepare and present a class lecture
• Complete a small group project with other honors students
• Produce a research paper
• Design and test a lab project 

Sample Honors Projects

Submit an Honors Contract