The Honors Program entails a two-year, 9-credit-hour sequence culminating in the completion of an Honors thesis. The thesis is a substantial scholarly project (hereafter described as a thesis) carried out with the supervision of a faculty advisor, most often a research thesis.

Other types of scholarship (e.g. environmental art, poetry, dance) must be pre-approved by the Program Director or his or her designate.

Successful completion of an Honors thesis is recognized by an honors designation (either "with Highest Honors," "with High Honors," or "with Honors") placed on the diploma and the transcript. Decisions about the designation are based on faculty evaluation of the Honors thesis.

The Honors Program is open to all students who have achieved a cumulative grade point average of 3.50 or better. These students are automatically admitted into the Honors Program. (However, completion of the Honors Program requires the student to find a faculty advisor for her or his research.)

Other students may request admission to the Honors Program by completing an application form available from the Program in the Environment office.

The application and faculty recommendation (if needed) must be submitted by October 15 of the junior year.

The Honors Program is also open to students who will be studying abroad during their junior year. These students are strongly advised to find an advisor who will approve a research proposal before they go abroad, and they will be expected to meet the program's regular deadlines. It is possible for students anticipating study abroad in the junior year to apply to the Honors Program in the fall semester of the sophomore year and begin the Honors Program in the winter term of the sophomore year. The Program in the Environment Director or Associate Director makes decisions about admission to the Honors Program.