This may be the first time your teen has been away from home, but know they will be safe and cared for on Murray State’s campus while they attend CHA. The Commonwealth Honors Academy is a three-week academic enrichment experience held on Murray State University’scampus in Murray, KY. Students live and learn with their peers and teachers from the area as they take college-level honors courses, take field trips that enrich classroom experiences, hear speakers and professional artists perform and talk about their work, and participate in social and personal growth seminars.
CHA is a great experience that will help prepare your student for college. Students will live in a college residence hall with a roommate, use dining services, and learn how to navigate a campus. They will also be introduced to college-level material and honors courses with the expectation that they complete homework, teaching time management skills. Students are taught by experienced faculty members from high schools and colleges who have Master's degree at minimum. Most faculty hold Doctorate degrees.
If you attend CHA and choose to enroll at Murray State, you will receive full in-state tuition if you have a minimum 3.5 high school GPA and score 25 or above on the ACT. Learn more about Murray State scholarships
Building a community is one of the most important parts of CHA, and it takes everyone working together, learning together, and respecting each other. Since community building is central to a student's experience in the Academy, there is an overriding philosophy of freedom coupled with responsibility that permeates student daily life.
It is important to note that students are expected to stay on campus for the full three weeks of CHA and must sign a contract agreeing to arrive on time, stay for the entire three weeks, and participate fully in class and the life of the community, including weekends on campus. Failure to meet the requirements will violate the contract and students will be dropped from CHA, receiving no college credit for their work. (Exceptions may be made for illnesses and family emergencies).
If you have questions questions about CHA, please contact us at msu.cha@murraystate.eduor call 270.809.3166
Murray State has been named #1 in campus safety initiatives by Safe Campus and the city of Murray was named among the top 50 safest college towns by Safe Wise. The Murray State Police Department is stationed on campus and available 24/7 in case of emergency. In the opening days of the Academy, students will walk the perimeter of the campus and will know exactly where they are permitted to go and not go.
All students are housed in one residential college for the entire three weeks. CHA has exclusive use of the building. Male and female students live on separate floors, and visitation is not permitted. The first-floor lobby (and second floor lobby when available) is reserved for coed interactions. Within the residential college, a trained residential counselor (RC) lives on each wing and is responsible for 14-20 students. Students also have a curfew each day when they must be in the building and then on their respective floors.