University of Iowa Honors Program

a.   Attendance at an honors orientation (during the summer or otherwise) is required of all students regardless of when they enter the program.

2.   Required Minimum Core of 12 s.h. of Credit Through Honors Course Work

        a.   This first or foundational level 12-hour requirement emphasizes “building knowledge,” and it applies to all students regardless of how or when they enter the program.

        b.   The foundational level has the following qualifications:

                1)     It must be completed within 4 semesters of full-time registration as an honors student.

                2)     All honors admits must take an honors course (or Honors Contract course) in their first semester in the program.

                3)     Direct honors admits from high school who start during the fall session are required to take an honors first-year seminar in their first semester.

                4)    Of the 12 semester hours, only one course may be an Honors Contract course. In case of special circumstances (e.g., students who enter the program late in their academic career or enter the university with substantial college credit earned in high school), students may use up to 6 s.h. of Honors Contract courses.

3.   Required Second Level of 12 s.h. of Honors Credit or Equivalent Experiences from a Menu Option

      a.   This second or experiential learning level emphasizes “learning by doing,” and it applies to all students regardless of how or when they enter the program. Note that students may begin work             at this second level at any time.

      b.   Students may satisfy the 12 semester hour or equivalent experiential learning requirement through the following options or combination of options:

            1)     Departmental Honors/honors in the major (completely satisfies the second-level requirement)

            2)     Mentored research (12 s.h. or the equivalent)

            3)     Study abroad for a minimum of two semesters (fall and/or spring) or the equivalent

                    a)     Single semesters of study abroad, including summer and between-semester experiences, may count for up to half of the second-level requirement.

                    b)     Requires students to carry out an independent project while abroad and to conduct a poster presentation or write a report on the project

             4)     Internships may count for up to half (6 s.h.) of the second-level requirement.

                     a)     In some cases, internships may count for the entire requirement (12 s.h. or the equivalent).

                     b)     Requires students to carry out an independent project while interning and to conduct a poster presentation or write a report on the project

              5)     Honors coursework (including graduate course work) may count for up to 6 s.h.

Requirements for the College of Engineering

1.    Students Qualified for Entry Must Opt Into the Program Via Acceptance of a Formal Invitation. 

       a.   Attendance at an honors orientation (during the summer or otherwise) is required of all students regardless of when they enter. 

2.    Required 24 s.h. of Honors Credit or Equivalent Experiences from a Menu Option

       a.  These requirements apply to all Engineering students regardless of how or when they enter the Honors Program. Half the 24 s.h. credits (12 s.h.) must be completed within six semesters of full-time registration as an honors student (with the exception of the Grand Challenges Program).

       b.  All honors admits must take an honors course in the first semester in the program.

       c.  Students may satisfy the 24 s.h. credit requirement through the following options or combination of options:

            1)    Engineering Grand Challenges Scholars Program

                    a)   Completely satisfies the University honors requirements for Engineering students

             2)     Honors course work (including graduate course work)

                    a)    May apply a maximum of 12 s.h. credits

            3)     Mentored research

                    a)    May apply a maximum of 12 credits (10 hrs/wk for a semester = 3 credits)

                    b)    Summer semester research at 20 hrs/wk counts as 6 credits.

            4)     Study abroad for one semester (fall or spring) or the equivalent time in summer and between-semester experiences = 6 credits.

                    a)    All study abroad requires students to carry out an independent project while abroad and to conduct a poster presentation or write a report on the project.

                    b)    May apply a maximum of 12 credits

            5)     A registered internship or co-op

                    a)    40 hrs/wk for 15 weeks (one semester or the equivalent time in summer and between-semester experiences) = 6 credits; 20 hrs/wk = 3 credits

                    b)    40 hrs/wk for 10 weeks (summer internships) = 4 credits; 20 hrs/wk = 2 credits

                    c)    May apply a maximum of 12 credits

                    d)    Students are required to register their internship with the college and meet the college requirements for reporting and evaluation.

              6)    An Engineering community engagement experience

                     a)    Students must get prior approval for these options and turn in a reflection paper of  the experience with the signature of the supervisor or faculty advisor.

                     b)    May apply a maximum of 6 credits total from all these experiences

                                i.     A leadership experience in college-approved Engineering student organizations: 10 hrs/wk for a semester (or the equivalent) = 3 credits

                                ii.     Engineering Tutor: 10 hrs/wk for a semester (or the equivalent) = 3 credits

                                iii.    Engineering Teaching Assistant: 10 hrs/wk for a semester (or the equivalent) = 3 credits

                                iv.    Engineering Student Ambassador: 10 hrs/wk for a semester (or the equivalent) = 3 credits

                                 v.    Engineering Peer Advisor: 10 hrs/wk for a semester (or the equivalent)

                                        = 3 credits

              7)     Honors in the major – counts as 12 credits

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Departmental Honors

Each University of Iowa college, department, and program determines its own requirements for graduation with departmental honors, and its faculty members serve as honors advisors. Most majors offer opportunities to pursue an original honors thesis or senior project under the guidance of a faculty member, usually through upper-level honors courses, honors seminars, and independent research. See the catalog listings under the specific departments for details.

After students declare a major in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences or enter the Tippie College of Business or the Colleges of Education, Engineering, or Nursing, they should speak with their collegiate or departmental honors advisor about their academic programs. Students who graduate with departmental honors receive special recognition during commencement, and their permanent academic record notes their achievement. 

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Academic Activities

Honors Peer Advisors earn academic credit for acquiring and then sharing knowledge of honors opportunities by organizing events around the campus and meeting with prospective students and their parents.

Honors Writing Fellows are trained and paid to assist in undergraduate courses by mentoring a dozen students each semester on two major writing assignments.

The ICRU Research Ambassadors earn academic credit for showing how and why research with faculty mentors is an important aspect of education at The University of Iowa.

The Iowa Policy Research Organization selects a dozen honors students each year to earn academic credit by learning to do policy analysis and then writing policy papers for Iowa communities and the Iowa Legislature.

Study away, in foreign countries or culturally contrasting parts of the United States, enables students to earn academic credit for course work, research, or service.

Learn more about honors activities by visiting Academics/Experience-Based Learning on the honors program web site.

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Cocurricular Programs

Honors at Iowa offers students a rich variety of activities outside the classroom. Many honors students find cocurricular programming a good way to meet people, get involved, and learn more about the world around them. Some of the programs are volunteer, some offer pay, and some award honors credit. These opportunities provide peak educational experiences, especially extensive and intensive interactions with faculty mentors and other talented students.

The Honors Student Advisory Committee enables volunteers to work with the honors director on awards, initiatives, and priorities for honors education at The University of Iowa.

Honors House mentors are upper-level student volunteers selected to live in Honors House, where they help with honors educational and social programs and guide first-year students.

Honors interns receive academic credit for service learning that is mentored by faculty members and provided in professional or other practical settings.

Honors newsletters inform readers on and beyond the campus about honors at Iowa.

The honors student staff earn pay to make the Blank Honors Center useful to students. They also produce most honors cocurricular programs.

Honors summer ambassadors earn pay to orient entering students to the honors program by informing them of academic opportunities and activities.

ICRU fellows receive scholarships from the Iowa Center for Research by Undergraduates to do research with faculty mentors in professional fields of study.

Honors Arts sends groups of honors students to music, dance, and theater events at the University and in the community. Students have opportunities to interact with artists, faculty members, and other honors students through related discussions, lectures, and visits.

Honors Engaging Cultures offers a wide range of events to expand cultural horizons and enlarge personal perspectives. These include feasts, films, dances, documentaries, and more.

Honors Gallery takes advantage of the Blank Honors Center’s design to display art. It exhibits student works throughout the year, and it complements these with receptions and other events.

The Iowa City Foreign Relations Council hosts luncheon dialogues on relevant international issues. Past speakers include award-winning journalists, Nobel Peace Prize laureates, seasoned diplomats, prominent politicians, and policy analysts. Honors students become better informed of world affairs by listening to and talking with these expert speakers.

The Presidential Scholars Community involves recipients of Iowa’s top merit scholarships in shared classes, opportunities for funded research in the first year, and service. Scholars participate in legacy projects, dinners with faculty and key administrators, scholarship and fellowship mentoring programs, and volunteer projects.

The University of Iowa Honors Program advises four major national and international honor societies: Phi Eta Sigma, National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Mortar Board, and Omicron Delta Kappa. It also works closely with Phi Beta Kappa in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. These societies provide select students with opportunities to lead, serve their communities, and cultivate academic excellence.

For more information, see Opportunities/Student Activities on the honors program web site.