The University Honors Program (UHP) promotes an interdisciplinary approach to the University experience by providing students with an enhanced learning environment that crosses academic boundaries. Only Honors students have the opportunity to graduate with Latin Honors (cum laude, magna cum laude, summa cum laude).
UHP students are part of a supportive community of motivated and intellectually curious peers with diverse backgrounds and interests. UHP features an exciting curriculum comprising Honors Seminars and both foundational and major-specific courses. Student engagement in a variety of non-course Honors Experiences includes research, creative expression, internships, study abroad, community service, and more.
UHP Support
UHP students work closely with Honors advisors in integrating Honors experiences into their studies. Each Honors student is paired with an Honors advisor who will help them navigate their Honors requirements. Honors advisors work closely with a student's collegiate advisor(s) to make sure the student is fulfilling requirements for graduation.
We're happy to help with any questions you may have while your student navigates the Honors program! Reach out to us at any time at honors@umn.edu.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do students join the University Honors Program?
Incoming Freshmen
Admission to the University Honors Program is determined by the Office of Admissions. Each freshman applicant to the University of Minnesota is considered for admission to the University Honors Program; there is not a separate application for UHP. Invitations to join are offered to the most competitive applicants from each freshman-admitting college. Competitiveness for Honors admission is determined by a holistic review, taking all elements of an applicant’s University application into consideration, with emphasis placed upon rigor of high school curriculum, grade point average, high school rank, and ACT / SAT test scores.
Details can be found on the Office of Admissions website. Questions regarding admission for incoming freshman can be directed to the Office of Admissions.
Post-Freshman Admission
Current U of M-Twin Cities and transfer students are accepted into the University Honors Program every fall semester on a space-available basis. Details about eligibility requirements and how to apply can be found on our Post-Freshman Admission page.
What are the requirements to graduate with Honors?
Students need to fulfill 11 opportunities. See details on our Honors Requirements page.
What are the benefits of joining Honors?
The University Honors Program (UHP) provides students with an enriched, interdisciplinary learning environment. We provide engaging courses with small class sizes, a dedicated Honors advisor, opportunities to interact with faculty, and a supportive community.
Honors students have the opportunity to explore interests outside of their major through Honors experiences without worrying about it impacting their GPA.
In addition, only students in UHP are eligible to graduate with Latin Honors (cum laude, magna cum laude, summa cum laude).
Is the University Honors Program a college?
No, the University Honors Program is not a college. It is a program that operates under the Office of Undergraduate Education. The University of Minnesota has multiple colleges and schools. Students can join the University Honors Program regardless of which undergraduate college (or colleges) they’re in.
University of Minnesota undergraduate colleges and schools:
- Carlson School of Management (CSOM)
- College of Biological Sciences (CBS)
- College of Design (CDES)
- College of Education and Human Development (CEHD)
- College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS)
- College of Liberal Arts (CLA)
- College of Science and Engineering (CSE)
- Medical School
- School of Dentistry
- School of Nursing
Can students double major in the University Honors Program?
Yes, students can have multiple majors and participate in the University Honors Program. They can choose to submit a thesis proposal and get Latin Honors for only one major or for multiple majors.
Students who double major within the same degree program (e.g., B.A. with majors in Political Science and Anthropology or B.S. in Microbiology in CBS and B.S. in Statistics in CLA) have the choice to submit a thesis proposal and complete thesis coursework in either major.
Students who have added a major from another degree program without adding a dual degree (e.g., B.S. in Animal Science with a second major in Spanish) must do the thesis in the home degree’s discipline.
Does joining Honors cost more?
No. Students in the honors program pay the same tuition and fees as students who are not in the program.
In fact, Honors students have access to free programming with our NEXUS experiences (staying for a week in Ely, MN to learn about mining, exploring the Twin Cities art scene, and so much more).
Are there scholarships for Honors students?
Yes, we offer annual scholarships exclusively for returning University Honors Program students. We also share space with the Office of National and International Scholarships, and many Honors students receive these prestigious awards.
What majors can be in Honors?
All majors can participate in the University Honors Program. See detailed requirements for each major on our Major and Thesis Requirements page.
Is there special housing for Honors students?
Middlebrook Hall—the designated home to the Honors Residential Community—is one of the University of Minnesota's most popular residence halls. Featuring double rooms with semi-private baths, Middlebrook also offers common areas on every floor for relaxing or holding study groups or informal gatherings, as well as additional building spaces for special events. Located on the West Bank Campus, Middlebrook is central to many social and intellectual events, offering honors students the opportunity to live, study, and socialize with their peers.
The Honors Residential Community allows students to live and connect directly with other Honors students through organized social activities, access to an upperclass Honors student as your community advisor, on site Honors tutoring, and more.
See details on our Honors Community and Housing page.
Conversation Starters
Students often have a lot of questions about how Honors will fit in with their goals. Please feel free to use some of our suggestions below to start a meaningful conversation about the University Honors Program to help your student explore whether UHP is right for them and their goals.
- What majors are you considering and what does UHP offer to support your choice(s)?
- What are some classes, experiences, extra-curricular activities you enjoyed in high school or so far in college? What did you enjoy about them?
- What types of activities would you be doing as part of the University Honors Program?
- How might UHP benefit your long-term academic and/or career goals?
- What parts of UHP make you excited? What parts make you worried?
- What might you need to let go of in order to make room to fulfill your Honors requirements? How might you schedule and prioritize your time?
- How do you spend your “spare” time? What would you do more of if you had more time?
- What skills do you want to develop and use?
- What do you want to learn more about or learn how to do?
- When you envision your future, what do you see?
- What have you done so far to explore options within your Honors requirements? What might be a helpful next step?
- What kinds of activities or topics get you energized? What drains your energy?
- How can I support you in your participation in UHP?
Celebrate Your Honors Student
Honors Recognition Ceremony
Graduating seniors who have submitted a thesis proposal are invited to our annual Honors Recognition Ceremony. This is a chance to celebrate your student's accomplishments and watch them cross to stage to receive their Honors medallion.
The ceremony happens every year at the end of April. See details about the event on our Honors Recognition Ceremony page.
Student Stories
We're always highlighting the incredible things Honors students are doing. Read all of our stories on our News page.
Know a student with a great story? Email our Communications Manager, Aprill Emig: aemig@umn.edu.