Honors College
For more information visit: https://sites.udel.edu/honors/
Honors Degree and Honors Degree with Distinction
The Honors Degree and the Honors Degree with Distinction are Delaware’s most comprehensive enriched undergraduate degree experiences, and are currently available to students in the Honors College in more than 120 majors (please see the Synopsis of Honors Baccalaureate Degrees chart). The Honors Degree recognizes a student’s excellent performance in Honors coursework in and outside the primary major. The Honors Degree with Distinction recognizes a student’s completion of the research requirements for the Degree with Distinction in addition to the successful pursuit of Honors coursework throughout the degree program.
The complete requirements for an Honors Baccalaureate Degree are as follows:
- The requirements for the baccalaureate degree in the major (including all University and college requirements), as well as any other specific requirements the major department may set for the Honors Degree.
- The general requirements for the Honors Degree:
- University of Delaware cumulative grade-point index of no less than a 3.400 at the time of graduation.
- At least 30 credits earned in Honors courses. Of these Honors credits:
- At least 12 must be in the major department or in closely related courses in collateral disciplines specifically required for the major.
- At least 12 must be taken at the 300-level or higher, not including the first-year interdisciplinary Honors colloquium (if numbered at the 300-level).
- Three credits must be in an Honors Degree seminar or Honors capstone course experience approved by the student’s major department and the Honors College, to be completed in the last two semesters of a student’s degree program.
- Plus additional Honors credits as needed to reach the 30 required Honors credits.
- Submission of the Honors Degree Candidate declaration web form required in the junior year (after 60 credits are earned).
- Typical Four-Year Plan:
| 1st Year |
| ENGL 110 - Seminar in Composition |
| HONR 290 HONR 291 or HONR 292 |
| Six credits of Honors Major, related work, or breadth. |
| 2nd Year |
| Six credits of Honors Major, related work, or breadth. |
| 3rd Year |
| Six credits of Honors 300-level Major, related work, or breadth. |
| 4th Year |
| Three credits Honors 300-level or higher major, related work, or breadth OR UNIV 401 (for Honors Degree with Distinction) |
| Three credits approved Honors Degree capstone course OR UNIV 402 (for Honors Degree with Distinction) |
A minimum grade of C- is required in Honors courses counting toward the Honors Degree. Honors coursework taken pass-fail cannot count for the Honors Degree unless the course is only offered pass-fail.
This plan is for those who are admitted to UD in the Honors College and includes the requirements needed to earn the General Honors Award in the first 2 years. Students who enter the College after the first year should check with Honors about earning the Honors Degree. This plan represents the minimum number of credit to earn the HD/HDWD; many students complete more than the minimum. Individual departments set the 12 credit Honors major requirements and any additional requirements. These are specified under the Honors Degree Requirements in the Catalog under each Major offering an Honors Degree. Students must declare their intention to earn the Honors Degree in their junior year.
The complete requirements for an Honors Baccalaureate Degree with Distinction are as follows:
- The complete requirements for the Honors Baccalaureate Degree .
- Six credits of Honors thesis or project (UNIV 401 /UNIV 402 ), and
- Successful oral presentation of an acceptable thesis or project to a committee of faculty approved by the major department, the Honors College, and the Undergraduate Research Program.
- Six credits of Honors thesis may be counted as part of the 30 Honors credits required for the Honors Degree.
- Completion of any additional specifications for the thesis or project set by the major department.
- Typical Four-Year Plan:
| 1st Year |
| ENGL 110 - Seminar in Composition |
| HONR 290 HONR 291 or HONR 292 |
| Six credits of Honors Major, related work, or breadth. |
| 2nd Year |
| Six credits of Honors Major, related work, or breadth. |
| 3rd Year |
| Six credits of Honors 300-level Major, related work, or breadth. |
| 4th Year |
| Three credits Honors 300-level or higher major, related work, or breadth OR UNIV 401 (for Honors Degree with Distinction) |
| Three credits approved Honors Degree capstone course OR UNIV 402 (for Honors Degree with Distinction) |
A minimum grade of C- is required in Honors courses counting toward the Honors Degree with Distinction. Honors coursework taken pass-fail cannot count for the Honors Degree with Distinction unless the course is only offered pass-fail.
This plan is for those who are admitted to UD in the Honors College and includes the requirements needed to earn the General Honors Award in the first 2 years. Students who enter the College after the first year should check with Honors about earning the Honors Degree. This plan represents the minimum number of credit to earn the HD/HDWD; many students complete more than the minimum. Individual departments set the 12 credit Honors major requirements and any additional requirements. These are specified under the Honors Degree Requirements in the Catalog under each Major offering an Honors Degree. Students must declare their intention to earn the Honors Degree in their junior year.
Interdisciplinary-Collegiate Honors
The Interdisciplinary-Collegiate Honors Course of Study provides interested students with an enriched degree option that is academically interdisciplinary with a greater co-curricular emphasis. The primary structure of this program is interdisciplinary coursework in the first 2 years, out of the classroom engagement in the third year, and a signature product in the final year, which might be an undergraduate thesis but might also take other forms. Because of the interdisciplinary focus of this track, Honors students in any major at UD are eligible earn this new with University Honors option. However, due to the complexities of individual majors and programs, students should seek the advice of the Honors College staff if they are interested in this option.
The complete requirements for a Interdisciplinary-Collegiate Honors Course of Study are as follows:
- The requirements for the baccalaureate degree in the major.
- The general requirements for the Interdisciplinary-Collegiate Honors :
- Typical Four-Year Plan:
A minimum grade of C- is required in Honors courses counting toward the Interdisciplinary-Collegiate Honors Course of Study. Honors coursework taken pass-fail cannot count for the Interdisciplinary-Collegiate Honors Course of Study unless the course is only offered pass-fail.
General Honors Award
The General Honors Award provides recognition of a student’s pursuit of Honors challenges and enrichment opportunities during the first two years of university study. Receipt of the General Honors Award is recorded on a student’s permanent transcript.
The complete requirements for the General Honors Award are as follows:
- Eighteen credits of Honors coursework completed within the first two years of study, with a minimum of 12 credits required in the first year.
- Three credits of the 12 credits completed in the first year must include an interdisciplinary Honors colloquium course.
- Three credits of the 12 credits completed in the first year must include an Honors ENGL 110 course.
- A minimum GPA of at least 3.30 at the conclusion of the first two years of study at the University.
- A minimum of 60 credits (including advanced placement and transfer credits) must be completed by the end of the second year, at least 54 of which must be earned at UD.
- Residence in first-year Honors housing is required during the first year of study.
- A minimum grade of C- is required in all Honors courses counting toward the General Honors Award.
- Honors coursework counting toward the General Honors Award cannot be taken on a pass-fail basis unless the course is only offered pass-fail.
Community Engagement Scholars Course of Study
The Community Engagement Scholars Course of Study is a multi-year academic program that prepares students for lives as engaged citizens. Administered by the Community Engagement Initiative (CEI), a program of the Office of the Provost, this rigorous course of study provides students in any major a framework for integrating their academic study and co-curricular service experiences through participation in course work, community focused immersion programs, co-curricular service and development of an eportfolio.
The Community Engagement Scholars Faculty Review Board, appointed by the Deputy Director of the Community Engagement Initiative and inclusive of faculty from all colleges, has oversight. The Faculty Review Board works in conjunction with the CEI staff, who are responsible for the day-to-day administration of the course of study.
Scholars take two required courses: Introduction to Civic Engagement (1 credit) and Changing the World: The Role of Public Policy (3 credits). In following years scholars participate in semester or summer-based immersion programs, service trips and volunteer opportunities. Scholars receive enhanced advising from CEI to integrate a community engagement focus into coursework, culminating in an eportfolio that is submitted to the faculty review board.
Applying to the Community Engagement Scholars course of study
Incoming first year students are invited to apply by submitting a short essay soon after they receive their UD acceptance letter. The application process is administered through Enrollment Services.
Current students may apply to the Community Engagement Scholars program through the second semester of their sophomore year.
- Interested students should email BlueHensEngage@udel.edu. The application includes an essay which describes how community engagement is connected to the applicant’s academic and career goals and identifies the core issue that will serve as the focus of the course of study.
- Courses taken prior to acceptance to the Community Engagement Scholars course of study may meet requirements, contingent upon approval of the Faculty Review Board.
- First year students may apply after completing one semester at UD.
- Sophomores may apply in the fall.
More information and link to application for current students.
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