See the Frequently Asked Questions section for information on requirements for admission to the Honors-CLA program.

Honors students who participate in at least four Honors opportunities and maintain a 3.5 GPA during their first two years of study (through the completion of the first 60 credits, including at least 40 credits graded A-F) earn special recognition. Students receive a Freshman-Sophomore Honors Certificate and official notation on their transcripts. All Honors courses must be graded A-F.

Application (PDF format; new window)

Students currently in CLA can fill out the application available for download at the link above, or they can come into the Honors-CLA Office at 20 Nicholson Hall to receive an application. All applications must be turned in to the Honors-CLA Office.

Planning

Freshmen
Sophomores

What is an Honors Opportunity?

One opportunity open to freshmen and sophomores is the 2xxx-level Honors Seminars. 2xxx-level Honors Seminars introduce freshmen and sophomores to interesting and unique topics from throughout the academic curricula. Not ordinarily offered in the general curriculum, these courses provide an opportunity for you to sample a new subject or controversial issue.

Departmental Honors Courses are honors courses offered through academic departments. They typically afford students a more in-depth presentation of the subject matter under discussion. There are many different ways an honors course can be set up, and the specifics vary course by course.

Honors Experiential Options encourage first- and second-year Honors-CLA students to immerse themselves in a range of academic, cultural, and educational opportunities happening outside the typical classroom. Four approved experiential events are required to satisfy one honors opportunity. A short paper must accompany attendance of an event. Honors Experiential Event Calendar and Descriptions.

Honors Book Discussions is one such option: Our honors book discussions invite students to consider a society-changing book through various academic lenses; when possible, we also meet with the author to discuss the book.

Opportunities requiring HCLA Director approval:

Forms associated with this opportunities can be obtained by visiting the Honors-CLA Office, 20 Nicholson Hall.

Honors contracts allow students to receive honors credit by doing work that is qualitatively above and beyond the regular requirements in non-honors courses. (There is a limit of one toward the freshman/sophomore certificate.)

Other Special educational experiences may count for an honors opportunity. Study abroad, for example, is considered an honors opportunity and other educationally enriching experiences may also be potential honors opportunities. (There is a limit of one toward the freshman/sophomore certificate.)

Honors Library Privileges

Campus Libraries: Honors students can check books out of the University libraries for thirteen weeks.

Summa Thesis Library: The summa thesis library holds past summa theses submitted by Honors students. The theses are invaluable guides for those at the beginning stages of a project, or for anyone simply interested in excellent models of undergraduate work. The library is open during the regular hours of the Honors office, 8:00-4:30, Monday-Friday. Students are free to peruse or borrow the theses in the office.