There are two “tracks” for completing College Honors; one for students enrolled in the Honors College and one for Non-HCOL students. The timelines of these two "tracks" are listed below.
For specific dates and deadlines, scroll to the bottom of the page.
For specific dates and deadlines, scroll to the bottom of the page.
Timeline for Honors College Students
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JUNIOR YEAR:
- Receive official invitation from Dean's Office to participate in College Honors program.
- Complete Junior Year CAS HCOL requirements: HCOL 3881, 3882, or 3883 (HEC) & HCOL 3000 (Thesis Proposal Preparation)
- Consult with faculty thesis supervisor who agrees to supervise project. The thesis supervisor must be a tenured or tenure-track professor in the College of Arts and Sciences. (If you don't know whether this is the case, ask!)
- Submit College Honors thesis proposal in spring of Junior Year for early HCOL deadline (late March/early April).
- The Honors Committee will inform all candidates of acceptance decisions.
SENIOR YEAR, FIRST SEMESTER:
- By the end of the Add/Drop period, register for three credits of SUBJ* 4996 (Honors) & HCOL 4000 (0-credit Thesis Support Seminar). *Honors Thesis credits are listed under each academic program/department with the course number 4996 (i.e. HST 4996, BIOL 4996).
- NOTE: HCOL Students who were unable or ineligible (due to GPA) to submit in the spring of Junior Year may submit for the fall College Honors deadline (late September).
- By the last day of classes, identify faculty to serve on your defense committee and complete the "" form. (Please note: this is a new requirement for May 2025 graduates and beyond).
SENIOR YEAR, SECOND SEMESTER:
- By the end of the Add/Drop period, register for three credits of SUBJ* 4996 (Honors) & HCOL 4000 (0-credit Thesis Support Seminar). *Honors Thesis credits are listed under each academic program/department with the course number 4996 (i.e. HST 4996, BIOL 4996).
- Early in the semester plan oral defense of project with faculty supervisor and two additional evaluators, (See Completing and Defending College Honors Theses). The student should ensure that the thesis advisor electronically submits the "Schedule of the College Honors Thesis Defense" form to indicate the date, time, and place agreed upon for the defense by the student and their thesis committee. This form should be submitted at least 2 weeks in advance of the defense.
- By the last day of the examination period complete the defense and submit the completed written project. Your thesis committee chair must submit the Evaluation of Thesis Defense form to the Chair of Honors Committee (via the Dean's Office) by the last day of examination period.
- During Commencement festivities attend reception honoring students completing College Honors projects.
Timeline for Non-Honors College Students
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JUNIOR YEAR, SECOND SEMESTER:
- Receive official invitation from Dean's Office to participate in College Honors program.
- Consult with faculty thesis supervisor who agrees to supervise project. The thesis supervisor must be a tenured or tenure-track professor in the College of Arts and Sciences. (If you don't know whether this is the case, ask!) Students are invited, but not required, to contact ashonors@uvm.edu to express their intent to pursue a thesis, and to ensure they understand all the requirements and deadlines.
SENIOR YEAR, FIRST SEMESTER:
- By the end of the Add/Drop period, register for three credits of SUBJ* 4996 (Honors). *Honors Thesis credits are listed under each academic program/department with the course number 4996 (i.e. HST 4996, BIOL 4996).
- Late September or February (depending on the semester in which the thesis work will begin) submit the completed application by the deadline. No proposals will be accepted after this deadline.
- The Committee will inform all candidates of acceptance decisions. (Work done this semester on projects that the Committee turns down may receive credit as Departmental Readings and Research after consultation with, and approval from, the student's secured thesis supervisor)
- By the last day of classes, identify faculty to serve on your defense committee and complete the "" form. (Please note: this is a new requirement for May 2025 graduates and beyond).
SENIOR YEAR, SECOND SEMESTER:
- By the end of the Add/Drop period, register for three credits of SUBJ* 4996 (Honors). *Honors Thesis credits are listed under each academic program/department with the course number 4996 (i.e. HST 4996, BIOL 4996).
- Early in the semester plan oral defense of project with faculty supervisor and two additional evaluators, (See Completing and Defending College Honors Theses). The student should ensure that the thesis advisor electronically submits the "Schedule of the College Honors Thesis Defense" form to indicate the date, time, and place agreed upon for the defense by the student and their thesis committee. This form should be submitted at least 2 weeks in advance of the defense.
- By the last day of the examination period complete the defense and submit the completed written project. Your thesis committee chair must submit the Evaluation of Thesis Defense form to the Chair of Honors Committee (via the Dean's Office) by the last day of examination period.
- During Commencement festivities attend reception honoring students completing College Honors projects.