Mar 19, 2024  
2017 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2017 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

The Honors College Program



The Honors College offers an academic program specifically designed to enrich the knowledge base, skills, and educational experience of high achieving and exceptionally motivated undergraduate students. Students in The Honors College declare a major from among those offered by UCM’s academic colleges and complete requirements specific to The Honors College.

Among many other benefits, students in The Honors College have unique access to Honors-designated course sections and interdisciplinary colloquia, and are provided with the support and resources needed to pursue advanced-level research and creative projects in their areas of academic interest.

Admission Criteria

The Honors College considers applications for admission from qualified high school graduates (minimum ACT score of 25 and a minimum cumulative high school GPA of 3.50), transfer students and current UCM students (minimum cumulative college GPA of 3.50). Students interested in learning more about The Honors College are encouraged to visit The Honors College Website. Alternatively, prospective students may contact the Office of the Dean of The Honors College by phone, 660-543-4633 or email.

Students interested in applying to The Honors College may do so online.

Features of the Honors College

Among other benefits, students in The Honors College enjoy:

  • Early enrollment privileges
  • Honors-designated course sections
  • Honors-only colloquia
  • Internship opportunities
  • Research resources and support
  • Vibrant living and learning community (Honors SHIP)
  • Study abroad travel grant
  • One-on-one advisement with the Dean
  • Transcript recognition

Typically, Honors-designated course sections include:

Required Honors Courses

HONR 3000 - Honors Colloquium (2)  

HONR 4000 - Honors Project (4)  
 

All honors students are required to complete HONR 3000  and HONR 4000 . These courses are reserved solely for Honors College students and may count as free choice electives towards the minimum hours for a degree. Not all majors require free choice electives, see major program for more details. For such majors, these hours will be in addition to minimum degree requirements.

HONR 3000  is an interdisciplinary course taught by selected faculty. Content varies from semester to semester. This course may be repeated for a maximum of six credit hours.  Enrollment in HONR 3000  requires sophomore standing (30 or more earned hours) or approval of the Dean of The Honors College and International Affairs.

HONR 4000  is a capstone research or creative project pursued under the supervision of a UCM faculty advisor selected by the student. After the student obtains 60 credit hours, they should discuss their Honors Project ideas with the Coordinator of Undergraduate Research.

The Honors Project Proposal must be approved and on file in the honors office prior to enrolling in HONR 4000 . Enrollment in HONR 4000  requires senior standing (90 or more earned hours) or approval of the Dean of The Honors College and International Affairs. Additional information regarding the Honors Project can be found in “The Honors Project Brochure,” available online.

General Education Program Requirements

Students in The Honors College must fulfill the minimum 42 hours (some majors require more) of general education as outlined in the undergraduate catalog.

Honors College students may consult with the Dean of The Honors College (660-543-4633, JCKL 1450) prior to selecting courses.

There are a few differences in the general education program for students in The Honors College Program.

Writing I and II. Honors College students with an ACT English score of 26 or above are strongly encouraged to enroll in ENGL 1080 . Students who earn a grade of C or higher in ENGL 1080  will be awarded an additional 3 hours of special credit (CR) for ENGL 1020  and will have fulfilled the six hours of writing requirement in the general education unless additional coursework is required by the major. Students who earn a grade of D in ENGL 1080  may either opt to repeat the course or enroll in CTE 3060 /ENGL 1030  to fulfill the six hours of writing requirement in the general education. Students whose major requires CTE 3060  to fulfill the second writing course should not opt to take ENGL 1080 .

Knowledge Area I. In the regular general education (for non-Honors College students), this area is comprised of nine credit hours: literature, fine arts, and a third choice. Within these nine hours, Honors College students are required to take a literature class and two semesters (6 hours) of a single modern foreign language (placement policy applies). The three extra hours of modern foreign language take the place of the Fine Arts requirement.

Honors Course Substitutions

Each participant in The Honors College will be required to conform to the policy guidelines of The Honors College and the General Education Program. Please be aware that Honors choices consist of those courses permitted on the major/minor programs or in the General Education Program requirements. In areas where majors require specific general education courses, alternative options may not be selected. See individual major requirements.  Should a student leave The Honors College Program any prior approved changes in general education will be honored, unless a major or minor requires a particular general education course in a category, then The Honors College substitution will not be honored.

The Honors College Retention Policy

To remain in good standing in The Honors College, all Honors College students are required to meet the following requirements:

  • Successfully complete The Honors College Program requirements in accordance with the appropriate Undergraduate Catalog.
  • Submit an Annual Information Update Form at the beginning of each fall semester. During the academic year, newly accepted members complete and submit this electronic form within ten days of acceptance into The Honors College.
  • Failure to submit this form will result in a hold placed on the student’s university account. This hold will be removed upon successful completion and submission of the form.
  • Maintain an undergraduate overall cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher
  • Incoming freshmen entering The Honors College who do not maintain a 3.25 or higher undergraduate overall cumulative GPA after two semesters will be dropped from The Honors College.
  • Transfer and current students entering The Honors College after a minimum of one semester as full-time college students who do not maintain a 3.25 or higher undergraduate overall cumulative GPA will be dropped from The Honors College.
  • Students dropped from The Honors College for not maintaining a 3.25 or higher undergraduate overall cumulative GPA may request reinstatement in The Honors College.
  • Honors students not currently enrolled at UCM will be dropped from The Honors College. Students studying abroad or otherwise temporarily not enrolled at UCM must notify The Honors College of their plans.
  • Upon returning to UCM, students in good standing may request reinstatement in The Honors College.

For more information contact:

The Honors College
James C. Kirkpatrick Library 1450
University of Central Missouri
Warrensburg, MO 64093
Phone: 660-543-4633
Fax: 660-543-8550
Email: thehonorscollege@ucmo.edu
Website: ucmo.edu/thehonorscollege