Honors Contracts

An honors contract is a plan of study that simulates, as much as possible, the experience of honors coursework. Can't find a course or section that's offered? Is there a particular subject you want to explore? Consider creating a contract to make any of your courses an honors-level course.

Novel and creative approaches to subject matter are highly encouraged! At the same time, you’ll want to know this information before you decide whether or not an honors contract is right for you. Please read the requirements below. Please note: the deadline for submitting an Honors Contract proposal is February 4, 2026.

Student Requirements

To create a valid honors contract, you're required to:

Be approved by the honors coordinator on your campus.
Take the initiative and responsibility to develop the project with guidance from your professor.
Remember that professors are under no obligation to agree to an honors contract in their class.
Only attempt a maximum of two contracts per semester.
Only earn credit in one course per contract.
Meet all deadlines as stipulated in the contract instructions.
Complete all requirements in class, earn an A or B in the class, and complete the contract to your professor’s satisfaction to earn honors credit.
Make sure you read and understand the honors contract guidelines.

Professor Requirements

Professors, in order for a contract to be accepted and fulfilled, you must:

Allow the student to take initiative in the development of the project with your guidance.
Hold regular meetings between you and the student to discuss progress and obstacles.
Be prepared to go above and beyond the usual course requirements.
Make sure you read and understand the honors contract guidelines.

Proposal Requirements

Ready to submit? First, review all proposal requirements, then fill out the proposal requirements form.

Honors contracts follow the same criteria as honors courses. Proposals are accepted based on the Oxford-Tutorial and the Cambridge-Supervision learning models. Projects, research, service learning, and other activities should be a collaborative effort between you and your professor. The scope and depth of your proposal should be work not covered in the regular curriculum. Follow these steps to develop a contract.

Meet With Your Campus Coordinator

Read through the instructions for creating an honors contract. Then speak to the Honors Coordinator on your campus and inform him/her of your intention to pursue an Honors contract for the semester. Let the Coordinator know which class and professor you want to approach for the honors contract.
Meet with Your Professor

Attend the class for a week, familiarize yourself with the course syllabus, and formulate project ideas you can discuss with the professor. Then make an appointment with your professor to discuss your ideas and give them the instructions for faculty. Be punctual and prepared for the discussion. The contract project, and the decision to allow you to complete an honors contract, is up to your professor. It is your responsibility to develop the contract and project — not your professor’s.
Complete and Submit the Proposal

Once you have your professor’s approval, complete and submit the contract proposal form by the deadline. Submit the contract to the Honors Coordinator on the campus where the course is being taught.
Await Review

Your proposal will be reviewed twice to ensure that all contracts adhere to the program standards for rigor and quality. The first review is through the Honors Contract Committee. The second review is the District Honors Contract Committee.
Fulfill Your Proposal

Over the semester, you’ll work to complete your proposal. Set up a regular meeting with your professor to track your progress and discuss any obstacles that come up. Once your project is complete, consider presenting at a conference such as the National Conference of Undergraduate Research or the Great Plains Honors Conference.