Honors Program Requirements

Academic Awards Ceremony including two Criminal Justice Honor's Program students and a faculty member.

Honors Program Requirements

The Westfield State University Honors Program is part of the Commonwealth Honors Program consortium, which sets guidelines for Honors Programs across the Massachusetts public higher education system. To graduate as a Commonwealth Honors Scholar from Westfield State University, which includes recognition at graduation and a notation on the transcript, students need to complete a minimum of 18 credits of Honors-specific academic experiences, including 6 credits of Commonwealth Honors Project.

Academic Credits and Distribution Requirements

Requirement #1: Honors Seminars (6 credits)

  • HNRS0101: Honors Discovery Seminar
  • HNRS0201: Intro to the Commonwealth Honors Project
  • HNRS0301: Interdisciplinary Honors Seminar 

Requirement # 2: Commonwealth Honors Project (6 credits)

  • HNRS03XX: Commonwealth Honors Project Semester 1
  • HNRS03XX: Commonwealth Honors Project Semester 2

Requirement # 3: Additional Honors Learning Experiences (6 credits or more)

  • Honors sections in General Education
  • Honors course by contract in the major
  • Honors Internship (HNRS 0390 - variable credits)
  • Honors Service Learning (HNRS 0390 - variable credits)
Minimum GPA for Good Standing and Probation Protocol

Students will maintain their status in the Honors Program if they have an overall cumulative average of 3.30 or higher, and continue to make progress each semester toward completion of Honors Program academic requirements.

Honors students will be placed on probationary status if their overall GPA falls below 3.30. They will be allowed to take Honors courses and receive the privileges accorded to Honors students during the one year probationary period except for priority registration. However, if their overall GPA remains below 3.30 at the end of the probationary year, they will be removed from the Honors Program.

Petition to Waive Honors Program Graduation Requirements

Some exceptions may be made at the discretion of the Honors Program Director, under advisement by the Honors Advisory Committee. For consideration, students must submit a formal letter of petition to remain in the Commonwealth Honors Program at Westfield State University. The letter should address specific circumstances which have prevented the student from meeting the minimum requirements and discuss alternative forms of engagement with the Honors Program value pillars.  

Looking to Learn More About the Commonwealth Honors Program?

Explore the Honors Program at Westfield State University.

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Contact Us

Ms. Gretchen Konrad
Honors Program Administrative Assistant
The Honors Center - Parenzo 041