Honors in English Department Majors

Amy Willenbrock, who earned Honors in Major, read from her final Honors project at the Honors English Undergraduate Research Conference. Amy wrote a collection of poems entitled "The Rapture Trees Feel."

The Honors-in-English program is one in which distinguished English majors complete an ambitious set of classes and projects. If you complete the requirements, you can graduate "With Honors." You do not have to be enrolled in the University Honors Program (a 32-credit program) to undertake the Honors in the English Major Program (a 16-credit program). All University Honors Program English majors must, however, complete the 16 credit Honors-in-English program as part of their overall University Honors requirements.

The Honors-in-English program provides students the opportunity to undertake exciting and original projects, take at least one small class, and work closely with one or more departmental faculty members. It can provide excellent training for graduate work.

Requirements for Honors in the English Major

1. Students who have entered the University in fall 2008 and in subsequent years must achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.40 in order to graduate with a University Honors designation, and your in-major grade point average must be 3.50 or above. Students enrolled prior to fall 2008 date need a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.20.

2. You take two 700-level courses for Honors credit, usually in the junior year. Forms for designating courses "honors" must be picked up, signed by your instructor(s), and submitted to the Registrar’s Office by the third Friday of the semester in which you take the course(s).

I think I've done a higher level of work and met like-minded students. The thesis was a wonderful chance to explore my talents, and my participation in the program will be helpful if I later decide to pursue graduate study. --an English major

Being a part of the Honors Program has encouraged me to pursue academic excellence. As a program member I have had to continually challenge myself to maintain both my academic and personal lives. Because of this, the quality of my experience at UNH has been improved in many ways, including the connections I have made and the opportunities I have been offered. I appreciate being a part of this and feel "honored" to have had the chance to better myself while offering something in return to the University community. --an English major

3. You take an English Major Seminar, English 697, 698, or 787. The seminar is a small, research-oriented course. Topics and professors vary by semester. This class requires permission of the instructor for pre-registration (note details in course description) and is usually taken in the semester before the thesis is to be written

4. You complete an Honors Thesis under English 695, 696, or 788. The thesis is a 30-50 page project requiring substantial research, field work, or artistic revision, and it is overseen by a thesis advisor chosen by the student. Your typed thesis proposal (of two-three pages) must be approved by your thesis advisor and the Honors-in-English advisor, usually by the third Friday of the semester. In order to register, students must bring a permission form, signed by the thesis advisor, to the honors program coordinator. NOTE: this 4-credit course is in addition to the total number of courses required by the English, English Teaching, or English Journalism Major and is taken in a student's last semester, although the topic and advisor should be arranged for as early as possible. This class requires permission of the English Honors advisor at pre-registration time.

For more detailed information, please follow the links below or contact Prof. Delia Konzett, coordinator of the program. Students should meet with Prof. Konzett during the registration period to make sure they are satisfying all requirements.

Detailed information packet for the Honors in Major Program

Checklist and information sheet for the Honors in Major Program

University Honors Program (UHP) Homepage

Instructions for designating a course as honors (from UHP website)