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| Frequently Asked Questions |
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What is
the Honors Program?
What are Honors
students like?
What are the benefits
to joining the Honors Program?
What does
the Honors Program involve?
Will Honors fit with my major?
What are
Honors classes like?
What kinds of classes are
offered?
Are Honors courses
harder than others?
What else goes on at Honors?
What if I decide not to
continue in Honors?
Does the Honors Program cost more?
How can I contact
an Honors student?
How are students selected
for the Honors Program?
What do I do
if I'm interested?
What is an Honors Program
Tuition Waiver and how do I apply for one?
What are the
requirements for students receiving a tuition waiver?
What is the Honors Program?
The Honors Program serves motivated, accomplished students by nurturing
creativity, critical thinking, and scholarship beyond the usual academic frameworks.
Through classes, co-curricular activities, service projects, and advisement,
the Honors Program creates a learning community that emphasizes intellectual
exploration.
back to questions
What
are Honors students like?
Honors students have personalities and interests as diverse as the rest
of the student body. Some major in professional fields such as engineering,
aviation, computer science, and pre-law, while others are in the liberal
arts. As the common denominator, members of the Honors Program tend to
be genuinely and deeply interested in ideas. They read widely, talk with
enthusiasm on many different subjects, and like to write. Students often
form lasting friendships with other Honors students.
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What
are the benefits to joining the Honors Program?
Stimulating Classes
The most important reason for joining the Honors Program at the University of
North Dakota is the value of the Honors
classes themselves. These small, interdisciplinary classes bring students in close contact
with some of the most exciting faculty on campus and with other bright students
like themselves.
Flexibility
Honors Program requirements substitute for the General Education Requirements,
which enables students to explore other subjects of interest and design their
own program of study.
Leadership
In Honors, students help to shape the Program itself. You might suggest classes,
serve with faculty on the Honors Committee, or plan activities through the Honors
Program Student Organization.
Advisement
Honors faculty work closely with students to help them meet their personal education
goals.
Accomplishment
Students graduate with solid evidence of real accomplishment, demonstrated both
in the Honors seal on the diploma and transcript, and in the thesis, a substantial
independent project that shows off their abilities to prospective employers and
graduate schools.
back to questions
What
does the Honors Program involve?
Most students take an average of one Honors course a semester, except for their
first semester at college when they often sign up for more. (That's because the
Honors Program offers a number of Honors sections aimed specifically at first-semester
students.) All these courses count for credit toward graduation and toward fulfilling
general education requirements. As part of this coursework, students complete
an Honors Thesis in their senior year.
back to questions
Will
Honors fit with my major?
Yes-Honors can work with any major on campus. You can participate in Honors while
pursuing other majors on campus, or you can create your own program of study
through the Honors Program. Most Honors students do have a major outside of Honors.
Even students in fields with very structured requirements (like engineering or
aviation) can be part of the Honors Program. In fact, they are often the students
who most enjoy Honors courses because our broad-ranging courses provide a balance
to the highly specialized demands of the major. Since Honors courses fulfill
general requirements, credits earned for our program also count toward the major.
Honors advisors work closely with students to see that all the pieces fit together.
back to questions
What
are Honors classes like?
Our classes are small (18 students or fewer) and are taught by specially selected
faculty known for their ability to connect with students. We read and write outside
of class, then gather together on comfortable couches to engage ideas in discussion.
This size and structure allow students to become connected to the Honors community
of faculty and fellow students who are excited about learning.
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What
kinds of classes are offered?
Students might start by taking Honors sections of general university classes,
such as
- Composition
- Fundamentals of Public Speaking
- American Government
- Calculus
- Biology Lab
The next level of courses is our colloquia, which are 200- and 300-level interdisciplinary
classes. These are special topics courses, and they count toward General Education
Requirements. Most of these courses are offered only once, but we do occasionally
repeat a popular topic. Here is a list of some of our past offerings:
- The Evolution of Environmental Thought
- Free Speech
- Politics of Film and Fiction
- The Civil Rights Movement
- Ethics in the Media
- Drugs and Society
- Genetics and Bioengineering
- The Coming Plague
- Contemporary Religious Writers
- Making History
- The Brain
- Independent Filmmaking
- Approaching the Holocaust
- Black Comedy
- The Impact of Art on Science
Follow this link to
see this semester's Honors courses.
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Are
Honors courses harder than others?
Not harder, just different. Honors classes generally involve more reading, writing
and discussion, and for most Honors students this kind of work is genuinely interesting
and pleasurable. We don't grade on a curve or in any other way slant a course
so that participating in an Honors course might jeopardize your grade point average.
In fact, the environment of a small Honors class stimulates students to do well
and to develop skills such as writing and research that benefit their performance
in other classes.
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What
else goes on at Honors?
Lots! The Honors Program Student Organization (HPSO) sponsors activities throughout
the year, including trips to Minneapolis and Winnipeg. Honors students also coordinate
and participate in service projects on campus and in the community. Students
can submit their writing and artwork to The forum, our Honors student publication.
At Honors, you might dance at the Fall Ball, attend a play, walk dogs for the
Humane Society, play intramural sports, take part in game and movie nights, and
get published! The Honors community also extends to the Honors wing of two residence
halls for those students who choose this housing option.
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What
if I decide not to continue in Honors?
You may leave the Honors Program at any time. Credits earned through Honors count
toward graduation and the general education requirements.
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Does
the Honors Program cost more?
You do not pay any additional fees for participating in the Honors Program. In
fact, Honors is able to offer a limited number of partial tuition waivers to
select students. Follow this link for
more information on tuition waivers.
back to questions
How
can I contact an Honors student?
To contact a student, just email
us and tell us your area of interest and any questions you might have.
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How
are students selected for the Honors Program?
For students applying from high school, the Honors staff looks at ACT scores,
high school transcripts, and application essays. Selection is based on past performance,
but, even more importantly, on the student's interests and enthusiasm for learning.
back to questions
What
do I do if I'm interested?
Fill out the application form. You can also come to the Honors Place on the ground
floor of Robertson/Sayre Hall, (Oxford Street and University Avenue), to look
around and talk to the program staff and students. Our secretarial office is
Room 6. Check in there with your questions or to schedule a meeting with an advisor.
back to questions
What
is an Honors Program Tuition Waiver and how do I apply for one?
The Honors Program awards tuition waivers worth up to $1,000 per year
for up to four years to a limited number of incoming
students. All applications to the
Honors Program postmarked by February 16 will
be considered. There is no separate application
process for the tuition waivers.
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What
are the requirements for students receiving a tuition waiver?
Each semester, tuition waiver recipients must enroll in at least one
Honors class and complete 12 hours of Honors
Program service
projects, as well as a reflection on their service
learning. Students receiving
renewable waivers must also maintain a 3.2 GPA
and advance through the stages of the Honors
Program.
back to questions
Have other
questions? Contact us
for answers. |
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