The Commonwealth Honors Program
The Commonwealth Honors Program at Salem State University provides students with an inclusive, stimulating, and supportive environment to explore their passions, engage in the world around them, and realize their potential both in and out of the classroom. The program offers small, student-centered classes, one-on-one mentoring from faculty members, and opportunities for research, travel, civic engagement, and professional development. Co-curricular events and a dedicated space on campus allow our students to build community and life-long friendships.
A seminar format is used in most Honors Program courses, with smaller classes sizes allowing for greater interaction between faculty and students. Honors classes frequently include enrichment activities like field trips, guest speakers, experiential learning, community engaged projects, research, and class presentations. In their senior year, honors students complete thesis projects with mentoring from dedicated faculty members.
Students in the Honors program are eligible to apply for Honors program grants to support research projects, study abroad, or conference travel. We offer additional advising for students interested in applying to graduate school or post-graduate fellowships as well as networking opportunities with honors alumni as students begin searching for career opportunities beyond Salem State.
The Honors program is open to students in any major. Students in the Honors Program complete most of their Honors curricular requirements while satisfying their general education requirements.Thus, we are able to accommodate students in credit-heavy majors like Nursing as well as students in our 4+1 programs.
Salem State’s Honors Program is a member of the Commonwealth Honors Program Consortium, an integrated network of honors programs throughout the public education system in Massachusetts.
Students who satisfy all the state requirements for Commonwealth Honors are recognized as Commonwealth Honors Scholars at graduation and on their transcripts. Criteria for achieving this academic distinction include the following:
- A cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher
- Completion of required and elective honors courses with a B or higher
- Completion and public presentation of a senior honors thesis project
Commonwealth Honors Council Statement on Importance of Honors Education at Commonwealth Honors Program Institutions
Honors education at our public institutions is an equity issue and critical to our collective aim to serve the Commonwealth by providing access to high-quality affordable education to the highest achieving students in our state.
The students across our honors programs and colleges reflect the diversity of our institutions. Students who are first generation and/or from underserved communities are well supported in the Commonwealth Honors programs and colleges. Our doors are open to transfer and non-traditional students. We provide an intellectually engaging education, including opportunities that inspire these students to realize their potential, and foster and celebrate their accomplishments. The Commonwealth Honors Scholars are the Commonwealth’s future leaders, entrepreneurs, scientists, and artists.
Eligibility Criteria
Students who demonstrate academic curiosity, motivation, and promise are encouraged to apply to the Honors Program when they apply to Salem State. We are a test-optional program, though test scores may be required to be considered for some prestigious scholarships.
Incoming first-year students with a weighted GPA of 3.4 or higher are encouraged to apply to the Honors Program when they apply to Salem State.
Current Salem State students may apply to the Honors program with an overall university GPA of 3.2 or higher and fewer than 48 college credits (inclusive of the semester of application). Current students who wish to join the honors program are considered with a brief interview with the Honors Program area chair.
The Honors Program guarantees admission to all students who graduate from Commonwealth Honors Programs within Massachusetts community colleges and are accepted for transfer.
Transfer students from other universities who have not previously taken honors courses may be considered with an overall university GPA of 3.2 or higher and fewer than 48 college credits.
Transfer students who have completed honors courses at other colleges or universities may apply with up to 60 college credits (inclusive of the semester of application). Both current and transfer applicants will be considered on a case-by-case basis to determine whether they can complete Honors Program requirements within their selected programs of study.
Students who do not meet suggested GPA requirements but are still interested in Honors are encouraged to contact the program area chair.
Retention in the Program
To remain in good standing in the Commonwealth Honors Program, students must maintain at least a 3.2 GPA each semester, complete required program courses with a B or better, and take at least one honors elective each semester until elective credit requirements have been met.
Students who are unable to meet these standards for more than two consecutive semesters may be advised to withdraw from the program in order to meet four-year graduation requirements at Salem State.
Honors students are expected to abide by the Salem State University Student Code of Conduct and university policies on Academic Integrity. Students who violate these policies may be subject to dismissal from the program.
Curriculum
Departmental honors courses are indicated as such with an “H” following the course number. These courses are open to honors students and to others at the discretion of the Honors program area chair and department chairpersons.
Required Curriculum
|
Credits
|
| : All students entering the program must have an honors freshman writing experience, but those students who have satisfied the W-I requirment (through English Advanced Placement exams, IB exams, high SAT scores, or other means) must enroll in ENL 225H , which satisfies the W-II requirement. |
3 |
| : Generally taken junior year |
1.5 |
| : Generally taken senior year |
1.5 |
| Honors Thesis Coursework: To be completed with IDS603H, a departmental directed study, or equivalent credit-bearing alternative |
3-6 |
|
Honors Program Electives (not to include credit received for thesis coursework): Any two honors courses plus one each from the following categories: Scientific Investigation, Global Studies, and Exploration of Ideas.
|
15-17
|
Total 24
Elective Categories
Scientific Inquiry (at least one course must be taken)
| |
4 |
| |
4 |
| (These courses cannot be taken by students majoring in Biology or Nursing to fulfill the Biology requirements of those programs). |
|
| |
4 |
| |
4 |
|
substitutes for in any curriculum.
|
3 |
|
substitutes for SOC 201/ in any curriculum.
|
3 |
Global Studies (at least one course must be taken)
Exploration of Ideas (at least one course must be taken)
General Electives
Students following the Transitional General Education model may also elect to follow the Honors curricula requirements here within.
Honors Program students may take up to 22 credits each semester. Under extraordinary circumstances, a higher course load may be approved by the student’s major department and by the Registrar’s Office.
The curriculum development of Honors Program elective courses is by no means completed, and students and advisors will be notified about progress in this area.
