Honors Program At University Of Utah: How Many Students?

The Honors College at the University of Utah has been offering Honors programs for over fifty years. The college provides a unique educational experience that transcends disciplinary and ideological boundaries, teaching students to engage with complex problems and develop critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills. With a focus on interdisciplinary learning and a strong sense of community, the college challenges the traditional college experience. The Honors College has over 2,000 students enrolled, representing 136 different majors, and offers a range of opportunities, including integrated minors, praxis labs, and unique elective courses.

Application process and requirements

The Honors College at the University of Utah has existed for over 50 years. It offers students unique opportunities to learn to think critically and develop excellent communication and problem-solving skills. The college is open to students from all majors and all 50 states. The college has no more than 30 students per class, with classes usually having fewer than 20 students.

The Honors College at the University of Utah has a competitive admissions process. The college seeks bright, socially responsible students who demonstrate an interest in the curriculum, engagement with the Honors community, and a commitment to completing a thesis or capstone project. The application process involves a rigorous evaluation of applicants' coursework, grades, essays, extracurricular activities, and intellectual curiosity.

Incoming First-Year and Transfer Students:

Incoming first-year and transfer students can apply through the University of Utah's general admissions application. The application includes two essay options, and students must respond to one of the prompts. The application deadline for the Honors College is December 1st for Summer or Fall admission. Applicants will receive an admissions decision by email in mid-February.

Current University of Utah Students:

Current students at the University of Utah can apply to the Honors College during their first semester to start with Honors in their second semester. To be eligible, students must have a first-semester GPA of 3.50 or higher. Admitted students are required to take HONOR 1030 during their first semester in the program, and up to 25 students are selected each Spring semester.

Upper-Division Honors:

Upper-Division Honors is a two-year honors experience for students who have completed approximately half of their undergraduate degree. To be eligible, students must have completed a minimum of 60 credits accepted by the University of Utah, including AP, IB, concurrent enrollment, or transfer credits. Out of these 60 credits, a minimum of 40 must be earned after high school graduation with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher. To earn an Honors degree through this route, students must complete 15 honors credits.

Fees:

There is no additional tuition charge for the Honors College, but there is a mandatory fee of $325 per semester (as of Fall 2022) to support Honors activities, events, advising, and special opportunities. This fee is only applied during the Fall and Spring terms, not the summer.

Curriculum and courses

The Honors College at the University of Utah has been offering Honors programs for over 50 years. The college is for motivated and engaged students who want to make a difference and impact the world. The college offers unique opportunities for students to learn to think critically and develop excellent communication and problem-solving skills.

The Honors College at the University of Utah offers a range of curriculum options and courses for students seeking to challenge themselves academically and develop valuable skills. Here is an overview of the curriculum and courses offered:

Honors Integrated Minors

Honors Integrated Minors provide a structured curriculum for students. These minors are designed around a common theme and are shared with a cohort of peers. They connect honors courses and include fieldwork components, making them engaging and practical. Currently, the college offers three integrated minors: Ecology and Legacy, Health, and Human Rights and Resources. These integrated minors satisfy all required Honors courses except for one elective.

Build Your Own Pathway

The "Build Your Own Pathway" option allows students to work closely with Honors advisors to select interesting coursework and design their own curriculum. This flexibility enables students to pursue their academic interests and passions while still receiving the benefits of the Honors program. Individualized plans can include Praxis Labs, Honors general education seminars, departmental Honors courses, internships, and more. Praxis Labs, a key component of this pathway, are year-long real-world problem-solving courses where students collaborate with peers from different disciplines to address pressing societal challenges.

General Education Requirements

The Honors Program has two entry points: Early Entry (under 40 credits of earned college coursework) and Advanced Entry (over 40 credits). Students who enter as freshmen will complete three General Education courses in Honors, identified by the letter "H" in the course number. For example, a course number like "PHIL 205H" indicates an Honors course in philosophy. Students who enter as juniors typically do not have General Education requirements.

Honors Colloquium

The Honors Colloquium is a required course in the Honors Program curriculum. It engages students in intellectually and culturally enriching events, both on and off-campus. These include lectures, theatrical and musical performances, outdoor education trips, service activities, and research projects. Students are required to attend the weekly class regularly and participate in a variety of events and a research group/service project of their choosing. The number of semesters of Honors Colloquium required depends on the student's entry point into the program.

Legacies Courses

HONR 2000 (Ancient Legacies) and HONR 2100 (Modern Legacies) are core courses in the Honors Program. Incoming Honors students take these courses in their first two semesters, connecting with their peers and developing the intellectual habits and skills necessary for graduating with Honors. These courses qualify as elective GE credit for all degree programs, and Ancient Legacies also satisfies Humanities (HH) credit.

Upper-Division Honors

Upper-Division Honors is a two-year honors experience designed for students who have completed approximately half of their undergraduate degree. To earn an Honors degree through this pathway, students must complete 15 honors credits. Eligibility requirements include having completed a minimum of 60 credits accepted by the University of Utah, with at least 40 credits earned after high school graduation and a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher.

Specific Course Requirements for an Honors Bachelor's Degree

To earn an Honors Bachelor's degree, students must satisfy certain requirements. The specific courses and credits needed depend on the student's chosen pathway and entry point. Students can refer to the Honors Degree Course Planners provided by the college to outline their unique path to an Honors degree.

Benefits of the program

The Honors College at the University of Utah has been offering Honors programs for over 50 years. With more than 2,000 students enrolled, representing 136 different majors, the program is highly competitive. Here are some of the benefits of the Honors College program:

Academic Excellence and Critical Thinking

The Honors College curriculum is designed to enhance critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills. Small discussion-based classes, limited to 30 students, foster a collaborative and engaging learning environment. The program encourages students to explore diverse perspectives, connect ideas across different disciplines, and apply them to real-world challenges.

Distinguished Faculty and Advising

Honors College professors are selected for their scholarship and teaching excellence, ensuring that students receive an exceptional education. The college also provides dedicated Honors Faculty Advisors for each major, offering guidance and ensuring that students' academic pursuits are well-supported.

Individualized Learning and Degree Options

Honors students work closely with special advisors to design individualized undergraduate plans, including interesting coursework and unique opportunities like Praxis Labs, where they collaborate on innovative solutions to societal challenges. The program accommodates double majors and encourages students to pursue their academic interests through integrated minors and build-your-own pathways.

Enhanced Campus Experience and Housing

Honors students have the option to live in Honors-specific housing, creating a strong sense of community. The program fee supports a variety of Honors activities, events, and special opportunities for students to connect and engage with their peers.

Improved Graduate School Prospects

An Honors Bachelor's degree from the University of Utah is the highest undergraduate degree conferred by the institution. It carries significant weight and provides a notable advantage when applying to graduate and professional schools. Over 70% of U Honors graduates report getting into their top-choice graduate programs, and the likelihood of acceptance into medical school increases by 30%.

The University of Utah's Honors College offers a rich academic and campus experience, providing students with the skills, knowledge, and opportunities to succeed in their future endeavours.

Student experience

The Honors College at the University of Utah has been around for over 50 years and currently has more than 2,000 students enrolled, representing 136 different majors. The college offers a unique educational experience that goes beyond the traditional college curriculum. It challenges students to look at their education from a different perspective, encouraging them to engage with diverse thinking, views, and people.

The Honors College is a place for motivated and engaged students who want to make a difference in the world. The college offers small discussion-based classes, active learning, and excellent professors who are passionate about teaching. The classes are kept intimate, with no more than 30 students per class and usually fewer than 20. This allows for a strong sense of community and encourages students to develop excellent communication skills and problem-solving abilities.

The Honors College curriculum is designed to teach students how to apply different perspectives to issues, drawing from diverse disciplines and value frameworks. Students are expected to think critically about complex challenges such as climate change, inequality, and division. They are encouraged to communicate with each other across divides and explore their own and others' minds. The college values reflection, dialogue, and diversity as tools for forging a better future.

Honors students have the opportunity to work with special advisors throughout their undergraduate careers to select interesting coursework and build individualized plans. They can also participate in Praxis Labs, where they collaborate with students from all disciplines to find innovative solutions to pressing societal challenges. These labs include in-depth classroom and field research, such as lectures, panels, interviews, readings, and off-campus trips.

The Honors College is not limited to a specific major; it welcomes students from all majors and encourages them to pursue individualized courses of study. Students can double major and take advantage of the support provided by Honors Faculty Advisors to ensure they meet all the requirements. The college also offers integrated minors, which are themed and cohort-based, allowing students to pursue their honours coursework in a connected way that includes fieldwork and disciplines.

Honors students are not required to take an Honors class every semester, but they are encouraged to stay connected with the college and their peers through courses, activities, and events. The college offers a variety of special Honors opportunities, including mentoring and social events, supported by the mandatory $325/semester fee.

The Honors College at the University of Utah provides a rich and engaging student experience, fostering critical thinking, communication, and a broad perspective. It empowers students to make a difference in their fields and contribute to a better future.

Student support

The Honors College at the University of Utah is a place for motivated, engaged students to make a difference and impact the world. The college offers unique opportunities for students to learn to think critically and develop excellent communication and problem-solving skills. With a strong sense of community, the Honors College challenges students to engage in deeply with their education and each other.

The University of Utah's Honors College provides extensive support for its students, creating an environment that fosters academic excellence and personal growth. Here are some key aspects of student support within the Honors College:

• Academic Advising: The Honors College offers dedicated academic advising to help students navigate their academic journey. Each major on campus has an Honors Faculty Advisor, providing guidance and ensuring students receive the support tailored to their specific field of study. Advisors assist students in course selection, major-specific requirements, and exploring individualized paths such as double majors or minors.
• Small Class Sizes: Honors classes are kept small, with no more than 30 students per class and typically fewer than 20. This intimate setting allows for robust discussions, fostering a strong sense of community among students and encouraging active learning. Smaller class sizes also enable closer interactions with professors, facilitating deeper exploration of course material.
• Distinguished Faculty: The Honors College selects professors known for their scholarship and teaching excellence. Students are taught by distinguished faculty who are not only experts in their fields but also passionate about mentoring Honors students. This provides a unique opportunity for close mentorship and guidance from leading scholars.
• Honors Curriculum and Courses: The Honors curriculum is designed to enhance critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills. Courses are discussion-based and interdisciplinary, encouraging students to engage with diverse perspectives. The curriculum includes intellectual traditions, writing, science, and elective courses, allowing students to explore a broad range of interests and gain a well-rounded education.
• Thesis and Capstone Projects: The Honors program emphasizes the completion of a thesis or capstone project. Students are supported in conducting scholarly or creative work in their discipline, pushing the boundaries of their field. This opportunity allows students to apply their knowledge and skills to a significant research or creative endeavor.
• Honors Housing: Students have the option to live in Honors-specific on-campus housing, creating a close-knit community that extends beyond the classroom. This environment fosters collaboration, peer support, and a sense of belonging among Honors students, enhancing their overall college experience.
• Events and Activities: The Honors College organizes various events and activities to enrich the student experience. The $325/semester fee supports these Honors activities, providing opportunities for students to connect, learn, and engage beyond the classroom. These events create a sense of community and offer additional avenues for personal and academic growth.
• Mentoring Opportunities: The Honors College prioritizes mentoring, as reflected in the dedicated fee that supports this initiative. Students can benefit from peer mentoring and guidance from more experienced Honors students, facilitating their transition into the program and providing ongoing support throughout their academic journey.
• Transfer and Current Student Admissions: The Honors College welcomes transfer students and current University of Utah students, offering them dedicated application pathways. This flexibility ensures that students from diverse backgrounds can join the Honors College and benefit from its academic and support services, even if they begin their academic journey elsewhere or within a different program.

The University of Utah's Honors College is committed to providing a comprehensive support system for its students. Through academic advising, small class sizes, distinguished faculty, a robust curriculum, and various co-curricular opportunities, the college creates an environment that nurtures intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, and personal development. The support structure enables students to excel academically, develop personally, and build a strong foundation for their future endeavors.

Frequently asked questions