Navigating the UMass Amherst Commonwealth Honors College Requirements

The Commonwealth Honors College (CHC) at UMass Amherst offers a unique and enriching academic experience for motivated and high-achieving students. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the CHC requirements, encompassing admission criteria, curriculum components, and the culminating Honors Thesis, guiding students from their first year through graduation.

Admission to Commonwealth Honors College

First-Year Students

If you are entering UMass Amherst with an exemplary high school record, you may be considered for admission to the Commonwealth Honors College. There is no separate application process; students are notified of their selection with their general letter of admission. Note that the number and quality of applications for first-year admission affect the selectivity of the Commonwealth Honors College review process.

Current UMass Amherst Students

Current UMass Amherst students who are ready to maximize their academic experience and who are intrigued about creating an Honors Thesis, are encouraged to apply to Commonwealth Honors College. Current students may apply as early as in their first year at UMass Amherst. On-campus application require a minimum 3.4 GPA (based on your cumulative average) and at least twelve (12) graded UMass Amherst credits. If you are a current UMass Amherst student who meets the minimum eligibility requirements and would like to submit an on-campus Commonwealth Honors College application, please use your UMass Net ID to log in to CHC PATHS to complete the application.

Important Notes: Admission is highly competitive, as the College has many more applicants than available seats. Thus, meeting minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee admission to Commonwealth Honors College. The on-campus application process is based and evaluated only on the current applicant’s UMass Amherst Academic experience. Students who were previously Commonwealth Honors College students do not need to reapply for reinstatement.

Transfer Students

Transfer students are considered for eligibility to the Commonwealth Honors College during their application review. If you are not invited as an incoming transfer, you can apply online as a current UMass Amherst student after you have completed one full-time semester with 12 or more graded credits at UMass Amherst.

Read also: Applying to UMass Amherst

Application Overview for Current Students

The Commonwealth Honors College application asks questions about your academic history at UMass Amherst, your academic plans, and your interest in becoming an Honors College student. Your answers should articulate your commitment to the pursuit of academic excellence as a UMass Amherst student and are the only example of your formal writing provided to the application review committee. Once accepted, you must attend a Commonwealth Honors College Orientation Session to learn more about curriculum requirements and advantages as well as sign the Commonwealth Honors College Terms of Agreement contract.

Application Criteria

Commonwealth Honors College seeks students who demonstrate outstanding academic performance at UMass Amherst, are prepared for the rigors of the Commonwealth Honors College curriculum and are interested in contributing to building a community of scholars. The Commonwealth Honors College application process is holistic. Your application will be rated on the quality and content of your answers to application questions, your writing skills, and the strength of your overall application.

Application Cycle

Application period: November 15, 2025 - January 5, 2026Decision notification: The last week of JanuaryApplication period: April 15, 2026 - June 5, 2026Decision notification: The last week of June

CHC Application Options by Academic Year

Depending on your academic status, you may choose to apply for entry into the full curriculum or into one of the Depth of Study options. Consider your options carefully. It may not be possible to switch options without reapplying to Commonwealth Honors College.

First-Year Students: Apply to the full curriculum with Advanced Scholarship in Multidisciplinary Honors

Read also: UMass Amherst Success Stories
Sophomores and Juniors: You must decide among three options:
- The full curriculum with either Multidisciplinary Honors or Departmental Honors
- Depth of Scholarship curriculum option with Multidisciplinary Honors Only (MH)
- Depth of Scholarship curriculum option with Departmental Honors Only (DH).

Commonwealth Honors College Curriculum

The Commonwealth Honors College (CHC) curriculum includes two sets of requirements; Breadth or Study and Depth of Study, geared to the level and type of inquiry students pursue as honors students. The Breadth of Study requirements include broader inquiry in courses in both in the honors college and in academic departments. The Depth of Study requirements address the deeper understanding that students seek in their honors education. These requirements vary according to which track students choose for Depth of Study. The choices are either Multidisciplinary Honors (MH) or Departmental Honors (DH).

The CHC curriculum requirements highlighted below are for all students who entered UMass during the Fall 2024 semester and beyond. All students who entered UMass prior to Fall 2024 should refer to the curriculum requirements and should meet with a CHC Advisor if any questions remain.

Breadth of Study

In your first year, you will focus on Breadth of Study.

General Education honors course: As an CHC student, you may fulfill the UMass Amherst General Education (Gen Ed) requirements by taking courses specifically designed for honors students. Ideally taken in the first year. If you have already completed UMass Gen Ed requirements, you may substitute this with any honors course. (3+ credits)
Ideas That Change the World HONORS 201H: A Signature Honors Class; this interdisciplinary seminar will challenge you to think critically about the world, explore some of the profound ideas that have shaped it, and expand your own creative potential. Ideally taken in the first year. Also fulfills UMass I and DU Gen Eds. No substitutions. (4 credits)
Honors College Writing ENGLWRIT 112H: Exclusively for CHC students, this course focuses on further developing writing, revising, critical thinking and editing skills for academic, professional, civic, and personal purposes. Ideally taken in the first year. Also fulfills UMass' College Writing Gen Ed. If you have already completed UMass' College Writing Gen Ed requirement, you may substitute this with any honors course. (3+ credits)
Honors Discovery Seminars HONORS 391AH: Each of these Signature Honors Courses offers an in-depth, discussion-based exploration of a question intriguing the faculty member teaching it, and are open to CHC students of any major. Ideally taken in sophomore year. No substitutions. (1 credit)

Depth of Study

Choose a track. The Depth of Study requirements address the deeper understanding that students seek in their honors education. These requirements vary according to which track students choose for Depth of Study.

Common characteristics of honors courses within the major are small class size, increased pace, advanced-level readings, lots of discussion, and a learner-centered approach that encourages you to be the co-creator of your educational experience.

Multidisciplinary Honors
- Any level honors course Ideally taken in the junior year. (3+ credits) Consider taking the Junior Year Common Experience (HONORS 323H), which also fulfills UMass SB and DU Gen Eds. (4 credits)
- 300 level or higher honors course Ideally taken in the junior year. (3+ credits) Consider taking the Junior Year Common Experience (HONORS 323H), which also fulfills UMass SB and DU Gen Eds.
Departmental Honors
- Any level honors course in your major Ideally taken in the junior year. (3+ credits)
- 300 level or higher honors course in your majorIdeally taken in the junior year. (3+ credits)

Departmental Honors (DH)

Departmental Honors (DH) offers the opportunity to broaden your academic interests in one specific discipline. Successful completion of the DH course requirements with minimum grades of B (or as specified below) and the submission of a properly formatted Research Manuscript or Creative Portfolio will result in the award of "Departmental Honors" on the student's academic transcript. For information about DH, speak with your Honors Program Director and see Admissions Process below. For information about the full CHC Curriculum.

General Admission Criteria

Minimally, to be eligible to apply for DH, students must have:

An overall GPA of 3.400 or higher earned after one or more full-time semester/s of UMass Amherst coursework
The ability to complete the DH sub-plan requirements
The ability to complete the CHC minimum residency requirement, i.e., 45-graded (not pass/fail) credits earned at UMass Amherst (not transferred)

Admissions Process

UMass Amherst students who are not already members of CHC must apply to Departmental Honors, an Advanced Scholarship CHC sub-plan. Read more by visiting the Apply page.

Students who are already members of CHC should meet with the department’s Honors Program Director (HPD) regarding their interest in joining Departmental Honors (DH), an Advanced Scholarship CHC sub-plan. The HPD will determine a student's eligibility and preparedness for DH. Admission to DH will be at the discretion of the HPD based on the criteria as established by the department and CHC (see General Admission Criteria above).

Departmental Honors Requirements

If you are applying for Departmental Honors, you must contact the Honors Program Director in your department to confirm your eligibility and carefully read the Departmental Requirements prior to applying for the DH track. You will need to explain your plan for completing DH in your department as part of your application.

The Honors Thesis

All Honors students must complete an Honors Thesis by the end of their senior year. Ideally, you’ve completed all other Honors requirements by the end of your junior year. If not, any remaining course requirements should also be completed by the end of senior year.

During your senior year, you’ll work on your Honors Thesis, which is one of the most exciting and rewarding experiences you’ll have as an honors student. The Honors Thesis might feel daunting at first, but Commonwealth Honors College has the necessary resources to help you stay the course and cross the finish line.

Depth of Study and the Honors Thesis

The Honors Thesis is the central component of Honors work in the senior year and is required to complete the Depth of Study component of the Honors curriculum.

Courses to Consider

Multidisciplinary Honors Courses
- Honors Thesis Part 1 (3+ credits)
- Honors Thesis Part 2 (3+ credits)
Departmental Honors Courses*
- Honors Thesis Part 1 in your MAJOR (3+ credits)
- Honors Thesis Part 2 in your MAJOR (3+ credits)

*Some departments have additional requirements. Please check specific requirements by department online.

Senior Year Timeline and Resources

Cultivate Relationships with Faculty: If you are pursuing an individually contracted Honors Thesis, you must select a second thesis committee member during the first semester of senior year. You should submit a proposal for part two of your Honors Thesis in December. You should also identify faculty members to write letters of recommendation for post-undergraduate endeavors such as graduate school.
Research Funding: You can still apply for Honors Research Grants in early October for spring semester funding. This competitive funding opportunity is by application only.
Career Planning: You should make an appointment with the career planning team in the college of your major to explore career, graduate school, and internships options as well as to build a strong résumé and cover letter. You will also be able to learn about networking, interview skills, and other career search information.
Scholarships: Many scholarships are available for seniors. You should look into Commonwealth Honors College scholarships as well as those available through your major, department, and college. Make an appointment with the Office of National Scholarship Advisement (ONSA) at the beginning of the fall semester to see if it’s still possible to explore nationally competitive scholarships such as the Rhodes, Truman, Fulbright, and Marshall.
Study Abroad: With proper advising and guidance, it’s still possible to have a study abroad experience in your senior year. Meet with your Honors advisor and the advisor in your major as early as possible in the first semester. This collaboration will enable you to create a plan that will allow you to complete coursework requirements for your major and your study abroad interests.
Advising Meetings: In the fall of your senior year, meet with all of your academic advisors for a senior completion check to confirm that you have completed all of the requirements needed for graduation from UMass Amherst.
Senior Checklist: Our senior checklist is designed to remind you of all the Commonwealth Honors College and university requirements needed for graduation so that nothing slips between the cracks.

Staying in Good Standing

CHC Status Maintenance: Keep in mind that a 3.400 minimum cumulative GPA and a minimum grade of B or higher in all honors courses is required each semester. You will also need 45 graded residence credits to graduate from Commonwealth Honors College.
Good Standing Policy: Learn what it means to be considered in good standing in Commonwealth Honors College and understand CHC policies regarding academic warnings, academic probation, dismissal, and reinstatement.

Graduation with Honors

To receive an undergraduate degree from UMass Amherst, students must satisfy requirements related to credits, grade point average, program of study, and courses.

Commonwealth Honors College: An Overview

In June 1997, the Board of Higher Education established a free-standing honors college of distinction at the University of Massachusetts Amherst called Commonwealth College.

This fee is collected by the university to help fund additional faculty, maintain small classes and provide exceptional learning experiences which distinguish CHC, such as visiting authors and other special programs.

As a Commonwealth Honors College student, you’ll join more than 3,000 other undergraduates who, like you, are determined to excel academically. You will enrich your studies with small, intensive classes where you’ll develop enduring ties with faculty members. In honors classes, you’ll engage directly with faculty and peers in critical analysis and compelling dialog. Limited to 25 students, these classes will challenge you to consider others’ perspectives and then formulate and defend your own views. In-depth readings, oral presentations, group projects, field research, and other modes of learning will make for stimulating intellectual experiences.

For first-year students, the honors curriculum begins with several General Education honors courses, including one of our signature requirements, the Honors Seminar Series. This series strengthens research methods, builds communication skills, and fosters an intellectual community among students. The first of these seminars helps hone critical-thinking skills; the second allows students to select from a wide range of topics taught by faculty from all corners of the campus. The series builds a foundation for lifelong learning while fulfilling a General Education requirement for the university.

For students completing upper-level coursework, the honors curriculum offers the flexibility to focus their advanced honors courses in a track that best meets their academic goals. Most students apply to the departmental honors tracks in their major.

Terms of Agreement

Upon joining Commonwealth Honors College (CHC), students are required to sign the CHC Terms of Agreement, acknowledging that they will fulfill Honors requirements along with those of the university, college/school, and major.

Honors Education as an Equity Issue

Massachusetts is the only state in the country to offer an integrated network of honors programs throughout the public higher education system. 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.

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