Massachusetts is the only state in the country to offer an integrated network of honors programs throughout the public higher education system. There are Commonwealth Honors Programs (CHP) in community colleges and state universities and on the campuses of the University of Massachusetts.
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. The Commonwealth Honors Scholars are the Commonwealth’s future leaders, entrepreneurs, scientists, and artists.
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. It has since approved Commonwealth Honors Programs at the following colleges in the public higher education system:
Students interested in seeking admissions or transfer into these programs should contact the college for requirements. Just click on the link to any of the colleges above to locate the program coordinator's contact information.
In order to begin a new Commonwealth Honors Program, public higher education institutions must complete and submit the information outlined in the following documents:
Approval Process Guidelines, Revised March 2022 Honors Program Checklist
Connect @MassDHE
