Why Commonwealth Honors “College”?
In 1996, the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education determined to institute a new “public honors college” serving top high school graduates from across the Commonwealth. This new college would be located on the Amherst campus and would replace the University’s long-established honors “program.” It would be called ” Commonwealth College.” Like other colleges within the larger University, Commonwealth College has a dean, instead of a program director. Though most honors courses are still taught within regular academic departments, Commonwealth College faculty now direct and teach specially designed interdisciplinary honors courses. Finally, as a college, ours offers students a number of residential living options or “Learning Communities.” Primarily, though, Commonwealth College is distinguished by 1) the depth and breadth of its course offerings, 2) its greatly expanded advising and support services, covering such areas as national scholarships, research opportunities, community servic
In 1996, the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education determined to institute a new “public honors college” serving top high school graduates from across the Commonwealth. This new college would be located on the Amherst campus and would replace the University’s long-established honors “program.” It would be called “Commonwealth College.” Like other colleges within the larger University, Commonwealth Honors College has a dean, instead of a program director. Though most honors courses are still taught within regular academic departments, Honors College faculty now direct and teach specially designed interdisciplinary honors courses. Finally, as a college, ours offers students a number of residential living options or “Learning Communities.” Primarily, though, Commonwealth Honors College is distinguished by 1) the depth and breadth of its course offerings, 2) its greatly expanded advising and support services, covering such areas as national scholarships, research opportunities, community
