The Honor System consists of two branches: the Undergraduate branch and the Graduate & Professional Schools branch.  Each of these two branches has three sub-branches: the Attorney General's Staff, the Honor Court, and Honor System Outreach.

Both the Undergraduate and Graduate & Professional Schools branches' respective Office of the Student Attorney General receive reports of suspected violations and determines whether to bring a formal charge against the accused student(s). It is the responsibility of the Attorney General's Staff to work with the accused student(s) and reporting party to gather and prepare all relevant material for the case. Additionally, members of the Attorney General's Staff act as either defensive or investigative counsels representing the accused student(s) or the University community, respectively.

Members of both the Undergraduate and the Graduate & Professional Schools Honor Courts are responsible for hearing and adjudicating alleged violations of the Honor Code during Honor Court hearings, in which members hear evidence and testimony as presented by the Student Attorney General's Staff, accused student(s), and reporting parties. After hearings, the Honor Court members deliberate on a judgment of guilty vs. not guilty and determine appropriate sanctions, if necessary.

Honor System Outreach is responsible for promoting the ideals of honor and integrity throughout the University community. This branch consists of both Undergraduate and Graduate & Professional students. Members of Honor System Outreach work to educate professors and students about their rights and responsibilities as outlined under the Instrument, and to promote integrity, honor, and accountability in the Carolina community.