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To complete the Honors Program, students must fulfill requirements in the following areas:
To earn the Honors designation when they graduate, students must maintain an overall 3.2+ GPA and earn the minimum number of Honors credit hours for their degree level.
Regardless of degree level, however, students are encouraged to enroll in as many Honors courses as they feel comfortable taking.
The Honors Program curriculum provides students with individualized course options that utilize innovative teaching pedagogies and dedicated instructors. Academically engaging opportunities such as interdisciplinary study, undergraduate research, and creative inquiry help to advance intellectual growth.
Honors Courses – Honors Courses are scheduled in the course catalog and can be identified by an “H” (example: ENGL 1101H). Any available Honors section will be a core curriculum option that falls under areas A-E. There are a limited number of Honors sections per semester and Honors students must register for these classes through the Honors Office. Honors sections with low enrollment and certain departments offer Honors sections as embedded courses. Embedded courses pair a non-Honors section of the course with an Honors sections at the same meeting time with the same instructor. Students must also register for embedded courses through the Honors Office.
Course Upgrade – Honors students who are unable to register for scheduled Honors sections, enter UNG with completed core options, or are enrolled in upper level courses can propose a Course Upgrade to an instructor in any UNG course. It is solely the instructor’s decision to grant the Upgrade. If permission is given, the student and instructor together are expected to compose the curriculum for the upgraded course that reflects in detail the 5 Honors criteria listed on the form (assuming responsibility for intellectual growth, activities outside the classroom, team work and/or oral expression, understanding the interrelatedness of knowledge, and developing analytical skills). Upgraded courses are not designed to give Honors students extra work, but are intended to be a place for creative assignments. Such assignments can incorporate many of the Honors Enrichment Options and should do so wherever possible.
Earned Study Abroad/Study Away Credits – Any credit hours earned during a study abroad or a study away program will count as Honors credits.
*As Honors work is intended to be broad and creative, other opportunities for course credit can be considered with permission of the Director.
The Honors Program Enrichment Options provide students with opportunities to participate in civic engagement, scholarly activity, and leadership and service roles. These activities foster both intellectual and personal growth in the Honors community and prepare graduates with a high level of professionalism and civic-mindedness for future scholarly endeavors and employment.
Honors Enrichment Options are divided into Tiers I, II and III. All Honors students must choose 1 option from Tier I and II, and 2 options from Tier III. These options can be part of an Honors course assignment, a continuation of or related to a past project, in conjunction with another UNG campus group or entity, or an independent project. Bachelor degree Honors students may choose a Tier I option or a combination of Tier II and III options to complete the additional 20 points required.
Long-Term Volunteer Service Project
This option is intended for Honors students who wish to be of service to a group or organization. The entity can be on or off campus, but must be a group who needs/accepts volunteers. The student must arrange with the group a volunteer schedule that is for an extended period of time to encourage the creation of a working relationship between the parties and a deeper understanding of the group’s needs for the student. A volunteer period of 1 semester (10 volunteer hours) counts for 20 points. Bachelor students who wish to continue volunteering for an additional semester will earn an additional 20 points. Group participation is encouraged (multiple Honors students volunteering for the same group). Groups that have enjoyed Honors Volunteers include, Elachee Nature Center, The Northeast Georgia Food Bank, and Ivy Springs Manor Nursing Home. The Long-Term Volunteer Service Project form must be completed and uploaded into the student’s Honors Portfolio along with any other stated requirements.
Conference Presentation
All Honors students are encouraged to submit to Honors as well as discipline-specific academic conferences. These conferences are platforms at which students may present their undergraduate research or creative projects to their peers and educational professionals. Conferences are great opportunities for students to network and to practice their civic engagement skills. Conference participation is a plus for any resume or graduate program application. As budgets permit, the Honors Program provides travel assistance for accepted submissions. Conference information and abstract writing tutorials are provide in the required HNRS 1100.Conference submission forms, abstracts, and acceptance notices must be included in the Honors portfolio.
Community Engagement Project
This option is intended for Honors students to connect what they are learning in the classroom with real-world situations. This is an excellent option for enrichment of an Upgraded Honors course and may also be conducive to interdisciplinary efforts or group work. Students are asked to work with a community partner to address or solve a problem, large or small. The Community Engagement Project form must be completed and uploaded into the student’s Honors Portfolio along with any other stated requirements. This engagement option will be fulfilled upon completing HNRS 3500.
Integrative Learning Project
This option allows for the production of work that integrates concepts and methods from at least two fields of study. The project must demonstrate a broad knowledge of the fields of study and show the purpose for the synthesis. This is an excellent option for enrichment of an Upgraded Honors course and may also be conducive to interdisciplinary efforts or group work. The Integrative Learning Project form must be completed and uploaded into the student’s Honors Portfolio along with any other stated requirements.
Conference Poster
Honors students have the option to submit posters to an academic conference in lieu of a full presentation. Students who travel and present a poster will earn 10 points.
Leadership Opportunity
Honors students are encouraged to seek leadership roles within UNG and out in the community. Serving as an elected officer in a club, assisting with the Honors Program, coaching a little league team etc. are all considered leadership roles. Honors Director approval needed.
Partnership with Other UNG Organizations
Honors students are encouraged to partner with other entities and offices around campus to promote the Honors Program as an inclusive and service-oriented group. Becoming a UNG tour guide or Ambassador, helping fellow students through the Supplemental Instruction Program, partnering with clubs or offices to host events are all examples of a suitable partnership. Honors Director approval required.
Conference Submission
Honors students are encouraged to submit scholarly work to conferences. Merely attempting the process will earn the student 5 points whether the proposal is accepted or rejected. The abstract submission page must be posted to the Honors Portfolio. The 5 points can be counted in Tier III even in the event of an accepted submission (which would also be counted in Tier I or II).
Attendance at UNG Scholarly Event
There are many scholarly opportunities hosted by UNG on campus. Examples include art exhibits, poetry readings, visiting lecturers, panel discussions etc. Posting proof of attendance in the Honors portfolio will earn 5 points for each event.
Attendance at Off-Campus Scholarly Event
Off-campus events such as art exhibits, poetry readings, visiting lecturers, panel discussions etc. will earn an Honors student 5 points for each event.
Attendance at Honors Event
Attendance at any Honors sponsored event will earn the student 5 points for each event. (This does not include meetings associated with Honors courses).
*As Honors work is intended to be broad and creative, other opportunities for enrichment can be considered with permission of the Director.