HNRS courses are capped at 20 students each. Smaller classes also mean more discussion, more interaction among the students, and closer contact with the teachers. Basically contract classes allow eligible students in upper level courses in their majors to negotiate with their teachers to change some requirements to convert regular courses to honors courses. Typically, students and teachers negotiate on research projects or papers to expand or enhance what is already in the class syllabus. Often students can drop or alter other requirements so that they are not adding a great deal of extra work, merely changing the emphasis.
Many universities use contract courses to enable students to earn upper level honors credits.
To be eligible, students must have completed four HNRS courses, four H-sections, or petition through the honors office. All honors classes, including contract classes, are designated on the students' transcripts. Therefore, everyone who sees a transcript can tell how much honors work a student has done. Research shows that employers, graduate schools, and professional schools value honors work quite highly. You may take as many or as few as you wish.