How Honors Courses Work
What Are Honors Courses?
Honors courses are designed to go beyond the traditional classroom experience by encouraging deeper learning, meaningful discussion, and close interaction with faculty and peers.
There are two ways to earn Honors credit.
Ways to Earn Honors Credit
Honors Sections
Honors sections are courses designed specifically for Honors students.
- Open only to students admitted to the Honors College
- Smaller class sizes with more discussion-based learning
- Emphasis on critical thinking, collaboration, and engagement
- Taught by faculty committed to high-impact teaching practices
These courses provide a more interactive and enriched version of traditional coursework.
Honors Contracts
Honors Contracts allow students to earn Honors credit within a non-Honors course.
- Developed in collaboration with the course instructor
- Focus on a project or assignment that goes beyond standard coursework
- Allows students to explore topics in greater depth within their major or area of interest
- Flexible option that fits within your existing degree plan
Honors Contracts are a great way to customize your academic experience while staying on track for graduation.
What to Expect
Regardless of the pathway, Honors coursework is designed to:
- Challenge you academically
- Strengthen your communication and critical thinking skills
- Encourage independent exploration and creativity
- Be recognized on your official TAMUK transcript
Frequently Asked Questions
All Honors courses - both Honors sections and Honors Contracts - require approval from the Honors College.
Once approved, you will receive instructions on how to register for the Honors course section (CRN) in Blue & Gold or how to update your schedule if needed.
- Explore available Honors sections in Blue & Gold
- Think about courses where you may want to complete an Honors Contract
- Contact the Honors College to discuss your options and receive approval
Honors Contracts are developed in collaboration with your instructor and submitted to the Honors College for approval. The contract will typically include:
- How the Honors work will differ from the standard course requirements
(and how it will deepen your understanding of the subject) - A description of the Honors assignment(s)
(such as a research paper, presentation, project, or other advanced work) - Expectations for completing the work
(including meetings, progress check-ins, or milestones) - How the Honors work will be included in your final grade
(for example, as a percentage or additional points)
Your instructor will guide the structure of the contract, but you are encouraged to contribute ideas and take an active role in shaping your project.