What does it mean to be an Honors Scholar?

The Westfield State University Honors Program is part of the Commonwealth Honors Programs consortium, which sets guidelines for Honors Programs across the Massachusetts public higher education system. To graduate as an Honors Scholar, which includes recognition at graduation and a notation on your transcript, you need to complete 18 credits of Honors work. Honors students take Honors sections of Common Core courses as well as upper-level interdisciplinary Honors seminars. There are two tracks in the Honors Program:

o Commonwealth Honors Scholar: To earn this highest academic distinction awarded by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts you must:

§ Take at least 4 honors courses, at least one of which will be an upper-level interdisciplinary Honors seminar.

§ Complete a six-credit Senior Honors Project, working closely with a Faculty Advisor in your department.

§ Achieve a B or higher in all of your Honors course work.

§ Maintain an overall GPA of 3.30 or higher.

o University Honors Scholar: To earn this distinction you must:

§ Take at least 6 Honors courses, at least one of which will be an upper-level interdisciplinary Honors seminar.

§ Achieve a B or higher in all of your Honors course work.

§ Maintain an overall GPA of 3.30 or higher.