Program Benefits
Enroll in the Honors College and take advantage of these special benefits :
Early Enrollment
The early enrollment option is provided for honors students for one very important purpose: to help ensure that their academic plan can be completed by providing early access to courses. Honors students have the first opportunity to select their courses, times, and instructors. To maintain full-time student status for scholarships, insurance, etc., The Honors College recommends that honors students enroll in a minimum of 15-16 credit hours each semester.
Maximum Program Flexibility
The Honors College Program offers maximum flexibility in choosing courses to create an individualized curriculum. For example, the General Education Program requires all students at UCM to take a literature course and offers five courses from which students can choose to satisfy this requirement. Honors students must also take a literature course, but may satisfy this requirement by taking
any university level three credit hour literature course with an ENGL prefix
. This flexibility is available in many categories in The Honors College Program, as outlined on The Honors College Graduation Work Sheet, which students can use to monitor their progress in the program. Please be aware that honors choices may be limited by the course requirements of a student’s major and/or minor.
One-on-One Advisement with the Dean
In addition to faculty advisors and college academic advisors, honors students may call the office and schedule an appointment to receive additional advice from the Dean of The Honors College. Specific times are also advertised each semester prior to honors enrollment for honors students to bring in their class schedules and four-year plans to verify they are completing The Honors College Program Requirements.
Scholars Hall (Houts-Hosey)
The Honors College residence hall option offers students the opportunity to live in a designated residence hall with other Honors College students from a variety of disciplines. This residence hall is dedicated to providing students an atmosphere in which to excel. Also, unique to Scholars Hall is the West Campus Residence Library (WCRL), a resource/computer library located on the lower level for easy and convenient student access. Although the majority of students living in Scholars Hall are Honors College students, Scholars Hall is open to any student receiving university-funded scholarships.
The Peer-Mentoring Program
The Honors College provides a Peer-Mentoring Program to assist new Honors College students in making the transition to college life and the college environment. During the first few weeks of classes, first-year students are matched with honors upperclassmen in their major field who provide mentoring and informal support. The program gives new students the opportunity to ask questions, develop a plan of study, and gain an “insider’s view” from more experienced honors students. Students are encouraged to maintain contact with their mentors throughout their stay at UCM.
Honors Classes
Honors classes are limited to 25 students or less per class. This enables honors instructors to get to know their students and to engage them in class discussions. Unlike honors classes some students have encountered in high school where honors classes are more difficult and more labor intensive than regular classes, honors classes at the university level are more interesting not more difficult.
Honors College Students’ Association (HCSA)
The Honors College Students’ Association serves as a connection between The Honors College and the campus community. It is an advocate organization for all honors students and a great informational resource as well. This organization enriches the honors experience by providing a variety of educational, professional, and social opportunities for students. Activities have included holiday parties, participating in Homecoming festivities, recruitment endeavors, as well as providing mentoring opportunities for incoming honors students. HCSA also hosts several annual social activities such as General Assembly meetings, Bonfire/Hayride, Game Night with the Dean, and End of Year BBQ and Elections. HCSA is a great way for honors students to get to know one another and establish relationships that will continue throughout their time at UCM and possibly a lifetime.
$500 Scholarship to Study Abroad
Honors students planning on studying abroad can receive a $500 scholarship from the International Center. Students wishing to study abroad must be current UCM students in good standing with the university. Many program opportunities are available at the junior level, however, some programs are appropriate for sophomore or senior level students.