Honors FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the benefits of being in the Honors Program?
These benefits are stated by some current honors students and alumni.
The Kutztown Honors Program taught me how to take initiative in and out of academia. Through Capstone conferences and service hours I was able to learn how to have confidence in myself and do what I love.
Tiersa Curry (Honors alum)
The biggest benefits of the Honors Program are the additional resources that are made available to us, like the 24-hour access downstairs, and the Honors housing options that allow us to live in a community of like-minded individuals with similar work ethics.
Brooke Eshbach (Honors alum)
The honors program has pushed me to succeed in many ways outside of the classroom. It has given me perspective on what I want to do when I graduate, how to conduct tough research, and get an internship that allows me to apply the knowledge I have gained thus far and to see how much more I can learn in my field.
Breann Craley (Honors Alum)2. What do I need to do to get into the Honors Program?
Please see the prospective student page for requirements to meet the criteria of the Honors program.
3. What is a Course by Contract?
A course by contract is a contract between a student and a professor that turns a regular course into an Honors course. Any course taught at this university has the potential to be made into an Honors course.
Courses by Contract should be used for those courses that can propel you into your Capstone. If there is a course related to your Capstone interest, use that course as an opportunity to explore the potential in the course for your Capstone.
It is wise to wait to use your Courses by Contract until later in your academic career, perhaps 60 credits into your degree program. There are always exceptions, and most of them will be for students in the College of Education. Courses by Contract should not be used for Winter or Summer Session classes.
Students who entered KU as freshmen have two Courses by Contract available to them and students who entered KU as transfers have three Courses by Contract available to them.
4. What constitutes "service?"
Service is volunteering to help out with projects/programs sponsored by the university, the Honors Program, the Borough of Kutztown, or an organization in your hometown.
5. How many hours do I need to fulfill the Honors community service requirement?
30 hours of service spread throughout your four years is required for the completion of our Honors Program requirement. Students will perform a minimum of five hours of service per semester.
We will allow only ten hours per event per organization to be logged into your records. We do this because we would like all our students to diversify their interests.
6. Are Honors courses harder than regular courses?
Honors courses are not necessarily harder than a regular course, but the best Honors courses are more in-depth. A good amount of our General Education introductory courses have an enrollment of 80-100 students. Honors only courses are generally capped at 20 students.
Honors students foster mentoring relationships with distinguished faculty members. These professors know their Honors students not only by name, but also by their intellect. They are more apt to write better letters of recommendation leading to better job placement.
7. Am I required to do an internship?
No, you are not required to complete an internship. Some major programs require an internship. The Honors Program will allow you to receive Honors credit for that same internship as long as Honors expectations are met and the correct paperwork is filled out. Students seeking Honors credit for their internship should be able to apply work at their site to their Capstone projects.
8. What are the requirements for the capstone project?
Please see the Capstone Guide for more information.