University Honors Program

Sandra Reineke, Director (315 Idaho Commons; phone 208-885-7702; www.uidaho.edu/honors)

Established in 1983, the University Honors Program (UHP) fosters academic excellence in undergraduate education by offering a stimulating course of study and the advantages of an enriched learning community for students from all colleges and majors.

Our learning communities include honors courses taught by select professors that count towards students’ degree work, honors residence halls for the 1st year as well as more advanced honors students, and honors co-curricular enrichment opportunities that promote faculty-student mentorship inside and outside the classroom such as a monthly mini-lecture series, annual excursions to honors regional conferences where students can present their research, scholarship, and creative activities including a student-managed magazine, an active honors student club, and free of charge access to cultural and social events on and off-campus.

Admission Process

Admission to the University Honors Program is selective. Applications can be submitted online year-round. In order to ensure timely enrollment in honors courses, applications should be submitted at least two weeks prior to the beginning of the fall and spring semesters.

First-year applicants from high school: Applicants must first be admitted to the University of Idaho before they may apply online via the web-based application portal. Applicants are asked to submit the following information and materials:

  1. Last name, first name, permanent mailing address, and date of anticipated graduation from high school.
  2. Unweighted cumulative high school GPA.*
  3. One writing sample from one of their high school classes.
  4. Two short essays based on three writing prompts to choose from.
  5. SAT and/or ACT test scores are not required for review but can be submitted as part of the review process.
*

First-year applicants without a high school GPA or those who are home schooled are asked to submit two letters of recommendation as part of their application materials.

First-year applicants are encouraged to apply by the University of Idaho priority date to be automatically considered for additional honors program-specific scholarships. However, applicants may apply anytime and will still be automatically considered for honors scholarships as they become available.

Current UI student applicants: Current students who have completed at least their first semester at the U of I and have achieved a minimum cumulative U of I GPA of 3.5 are considered for admission on a case-by-case basis. Current student applicants should follow the web-based application portal.

Transfer student applicants: Transfer students with a cumulative 3.5 GPA from their previous institution are considered for admission on a case-by-case basis. Transfer student applicants should follow the web-based application portal.

Both current and transfer student applicants must meet with a program staff member for an academic advisement session prior to completing their application to determine if the applicant has enough course credit hours remaining to fulfill the program requirements by the time they graduate.

Completion Requirements

A member in good standing of the University Honors Program must be registered at the UI and complete the following requirements:

  • Complete at least 21 hours of honors coursework1
  • Complete 4 credits of the “honors thesis," the "honors portfolio," or the "global honors" option
  • Complete at least one “Engaged Learning Experience” from the approved list2
  • Attend a new student orientation session in the fall semester
  • Submit an internal program completion form prior to graduation
  • Graduate with a cumulative UI GPA of 3.3
1

Students may use no more than two "Honors Course Adjustment Contracts" for a total of six honors credits towards the 21-honors credit requirement.

2

The list of approved "Engaged Learning Experiences" is on file with the University Honors Programs and includes undergraduate research, scholarship, and creative activities, education abroad, cooperatives, and leadership experiences.

Students completing these requirements earn an Honors Program Award of Completion upon graduation from the University of Idaho.

Scholarship Availability

Each year scholarships are offered to a select number of students in the program. No additional application form is required. Likewise, a select number of UHP Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) awards are offered to non-Idaho residents from WUE states. The awards are renewable, contingent on satisfactory progress toward program requirements while maintaining an overall institutional GPA of 3.3. 

Learning Outcomes

University Honors Program expectations for learning outcomes are aligned with the University-Level Learning Outcomes. University level learning outcomes broadly describe expected and desired consequences of learning through integrated curricular and co-curricular experiences. They provide the university with a basis for ongoing assessment to continuously improve teaching and learning.

Students completing the University Honors Program will acquire and demonstrate the ability to:

  1. Integrate information across disciplines using knowledge of theories and concepts in their disciplinary specialization.
  2. Use multiple thinking strategies to examine real-world issues, solve problems, explore creative avenues of expression, or make consequential decisions through participation in academic and experiential educational avenues.
  3. Speak and write clearly and effectively to communicate in ways that demonstrate respect and understanding in a complex society.
  4. Engage in transformational experiences that foster an understanding of self, relationships, and diverse global perspectives through participation in experiential educational opportunities.
  5. Apply principles of ethical leadership and service-oriented commitment to advance and sustain local and global communities.