Honors Program

Honors Program

The University Honors Program brings together some of Iowa State University's brightest and most motivated students to take advantage of both intellectual and social opportunities.  Honors scholars gain early exposure to research and leadership as well as benefit from creating an individualized educational path adding breadth and depth to their academic experience.

Students in the First-Year Honors Program typically enroll in five Honors credits in their first term (Engl 250H, Lib 160, Honors 121) and may opt to participate in the First-Year Mentor Program, a two-credit research experience during their second term. In the University Honors Program, students receive a variety of academic opportunities to help them optimize their undergraduate experience. They create individualized programs of study with opportunities to incorporate independent study and research. Grants are available to support Honors student research. Students who complete their work in the University Honors Program receive a notation on their transcript.

All Honors students take at least two Honors courses and two Honors seminars (listed as HON 321-324), complete an independent research or creative project, and maintain an overall GPA of 3.5 or higher. Most Honors requirements also fulfill requirements for graduation. Depending on the college of their primary major, students may need to fulfill additional requirements. 

Honors credit for a course is denoted by an "H" on the transcript and can be earned in the following ways: enrollment in an Honors section of a class, contracting an Honors Component within a class, enrollment in a 500-level graduate course.

Honors seminars are one- or two-credit special topic classes offered only to Honors students. With enrollment generally limited to 17 students, these seminars promote a crucial atmosphere of intellectual exchange and a high level of student involvement in learning.

Oversight of Honors students’ progress is carried out by the Honors Program staff in coordination with the undergraduate colleges. Each college’s Honors committee approves its students’ programs of study and project proposals. The University Honors Program Committee is responsible for the program's curricular oversight. The Honors Program Office is located at 2130 Jischke Honors Building. For additional information, visit www.honors.iastate.edu or contact honors@iastate.edu.