Am I eligible for the Honors Program?
Incoming first-year students are eligible for the Honors Program if they have an ACT composite score of 27 or higher or the equivalent SAT score of 1200 (composite math and verbal scores) and a cumulative high school GPA of 3.5.  First-year students who do not qualify in one of these ways will be considered for provisional admission upon direct application.

May I join the Honors Program if I am a transfer student or currently enrolled at the U of M?
Yes. First- and second-year students with a 3.25 GPA are invited to apply to the Honors Program.  Because most of the Honors Program courses are general education courses, students in their junior or senior years should meet with the Director to determine whether the program requirements can be completed prior to graduation.  A college or departmental honors program may be a better option for a student if most of the general education requirements have been met.

Why would I want to join the Honors Program?
There are immediate advantages of joining the Honors Program, such as small class sizes and outstanding professors; the camaraderie with students who share similar aspirations and capabilities; early registration privileges so you are assured of getting into your desired classes; the option to live in Honors housing; access to the Honors computer labs and student lounge; opportunities to work closely with faculty on research projects; opportunities to travel to national and regional conferences to give research presentations; opportunities to participate in short-term Honors study abroad tours; opportunities to get involved in Honors student organizations; and, finally, the opportunity to earn your degree with University Honors.

Does the Honors Program offer scholarships?
Yes, the Honors Program offers a limited number of scholarships on a competitive basis.  See Scholarships (insert link here) for more information.

What do I have to do to stay in the Honors Program?
In order to remain in good standing in the Honors Program, students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher in their first and second year, and a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher their remaining two years.  Furthermore, students must complete Honors courses on a regular basis to show progress towards graduating with Honors.  This usually means completing a minimum of 6 honors credits each year until all requirements are met. 

What if my GPA slips one semester?
Each student’s GPA is evaluated at the end of every semester.  Students whose overall GPA has fallen below the minimum will be placed on probation in the Honors Program.  Students on probation may remain in the Honors Program as long as each semester’s GPA is at least a 3.0 (for first- and second-year students) or a 3.25 (for third- and fourth-year students), until the cumulative GPA is raised to the expected level, at which time the student returns to good standing.  A student on probation whose semester GPA is less than the requirements stated above will be dropped from the Honors Program.

Do the UNHP first-year core courses count towards my degree?
Yes.  UNHP 1101 and UNHP 1102 will fulfill 3 credits of Humanities/Fine Arts and 3 credits of Social Science under the General Education requirements. 

What is the difference between honors courses and regular courses?
Unlike most regular courses, honors courses are generally discussion-based classes that emphasize writing, problem-solving, and critical and creative thinking.  Honors classes are smaller than regular classes and are typically taught by professors, and not graduate students.

Are honors courses more difficult than regular courses?
Honors courses are more challenging that regular courses, but they are also more rewarding.  Students in honors courses have greater access to their professors and to other good students, from whom they can seek help in their studies.  Most students find that their grades in honors courses are equal to or higher than grades earned in regular courses.

What are departmental or college honors?
In addition to the University Honors Program, several academic departments offer opportunities for honors recognition within the major.  Departments currently offering honors programs in the major are Anthropology, Civil Engineering, Criminology and Criminal Justice, Communication, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, English, History, Philosophy, Physics, Political Science, Psychology, and Sociology. The Fogelman College of Business and Economics offers a college-wide honors program for students pursuing the Bachelor of Business Administration.  Upon completion of specified requirements, the student will earn a transcript/diploma notation indicating “Departmental/College Honors in _____.”

Can I graduate with both departmental and University Honors?
Yes. If your department or college offers an honors program, we encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity.  Because honors coursework taken in the major will count toward the University Honors Program requirements, it is not uncommon for students to earn both University Honors and Honors in the major.

Is there housing specifically for honors students?
Yes. Honors students have the option to live on an honors-designated floor in Richardson Towers.  Richardson Towers has a separate wing for male and female residents, as well as a common lobby and a cafeteria.  Numerous co-curricular activities and events are planned for residents of the Honors floors, so you can make friends easily and develop a sense of community with Honors students.

Do I have to live on the Honors floor if I choose to live on campus?
No. Honors program students are not required to live on the Honors floor, but we recommend it as an enhancement to the Honors experience.