Honors Courses

Each fall and spring semesters the Honors College offers courses that are limited in size to a maximum of 20 students (unless noted otherwise), populated by academically mature students, and taught by faculty members dedicated to designing classes in which student engagement is the rule rather than the exception.

Because enrollments are limited, honors courses allow for more student-faculty exchange and are more conducive to collaborative learning. The instructors teaching the courses are highly qualified experts in their field. Honors courses emphasize the development of critical thinking skills and excellence in written and oral communication. Honors courses should be rigorous, but are not designed to be simply more work (there is no GPA bonus for taking an honors course). Honors courses should provide a depth of engagement with material rather than surface-level memorization. Honors courses are a reward for intellectually curious students who welcome the opportunity to build connections with other students and faculty.

Types of Honors Courses

There are three different types of honors courses. Always check your major requirements to determine whether a particular honors course fulfill general education needs or requirements for your major.

Departmental Honors Courses

Various departments across campus offer nearly 30 sections of introductory courses specifically for honors students (e.g., PSYC 121, BIOL 105, THEA 100) each academic year. These courses meet general education requirements, major requirements, or elective credits toward graduation requirements.    .

HNRS 300 - Scholarly & Creative Inquiry

HNRS 300 is a 1-credit preparation for the honors capstone offered each spring semester. This course is typically taken junior year to help students prepare for direct faculty mentorship on a scholarly project in their major during senior year.   

HNRS 310 - Advanced Honors Seminar

HNRS 310 is an interdisciplinary seminar with topics that change every semester. Past versions have included "Evolution: The Board Game," "AI in the Novel and Film," and "The Psychology of Temptation and Temperance."