University of Iowa Honors Program | University of Iowa General Catalog

This is the first version of the 2025–26 General Catalog. Please check back regularly for changes. The final edition and the historical PDF will be published during the fall semester.

Website: https://honors.uiowa.edu/

The University of Iowa Honors Program's general objective is to enrich the undergraduate experience by cultivating intellectual curiosity, promoting engaged, active learning, and developing students' self-efficacy. Central to this enrichment is the honors community fostered by the program, which facilitates connections to faculty mentoring and with peers through engaging coursework, co-curricular involvement, and experiential learning.

Honors at Iowa gives students the space and opportunities to make connections and develop self-authorship through self-discovery. For example, honors students have the opportunity to form closer connections with their academically like-minded and motivated peers as well as their professors on campus. Such networks and working relationships can change careers and lives through mutual discovery. Honors courses create spaces for students to get more from their courses, their faculty, their peers, and their time, and in turn more from themselves. This establishes a network that feeds into and optimizes the students' four-year experience.

Connections and Networks

Many students choose to participate in Honors Primetime, a unique program that kicks of the fall semester for new honors students. This multi-day in-depth experience fosters lasting connections and sets an example for learning by doing in-depth inquiry.

In the first year, honors students take HONR:1000 Introduction to Honors, which further connects them to other honors students, the honors building facilities, and honors faculty and staff. In this course, students learn about the opportunities and privileges afforded to them by their continued participation in honors.

First-year students also enroll in a 3–4 s.h. honors course in their first semester. Honors students may additionally opt to take a first-year seminar. Students should try to continually enroll in at least one honors course each semester until 12 s.h. of honors coursework is complete. Students may take as many additional honors courses as they wish.

The UI Honors Program places a strong emphasis on experiential learning (learning by doing), which comprises half the program’s curricular requirements. Experiential learning takes the form of undergraduate research, study abroad, internships, teaching practica, being an honors ambassador or an Honors Writing Fellow (or both), and other opportunities. Learning by doing, besides being the most effective way of acquiring knowledge, also helps with self-discovery.

In general, students who are serious about their education and about making a meaningful contribution to the world with their particular capabilities and gifts can be assured that the University of Iowa Honors Program will help them in their journey.

Unique Honors Academic Activities

Honors Outreach Ambassadors

Ambassadors earn academic credit for acquiring and then sharing knowledge of honors opportunities by organizing events around campus and meeting with prospective students and their families.

Honors Writing Fellows

Fellows are trained and paid to assist in undergraduate courses by mentoring a dozen students each semester on major writing assignments.

The Iowa Policy Research Organization

This organization selects honors students each year to earn academic credit by learning how to conduct policy analysis and then writing policy papers for Iowa communities and the Iowa Legislature.

Study Abroad and Internships

These opportunities with a reflective component or embedded project enable students to earn honors academic credit for their experience.

Learn more about honors activities and Experiential Learning on the honors program website.

Cocurricular Programs

Honors at Iowa offers students a rich variety of activities outside the classroom. Many honors students find cocurricular programming a good way to meet people, get involved, and learn more about themselves and the world around them. Some of the programs are volunteer-based, some offer pay, and some award honors credit. These opportunities provide peak educational experiences, especially extensive and intensive interactions with faculty mentors and other honors students.

Honors newsletters, which are written by honors student editors, inform readers on and beyond the campus about honors at the University of Iowa.
Honors student staff earn pay by staffing the UI Honors Program reception area and other duties as assigned.
Honors Peer Mentors earn pay by mentoring honors students.
The Presidential Scholars Program (PSP) engages recipients of the Presidential Fellowship in shared classes, opportunities for prestigious fellowships, and unique programming. Presidential Fellows participate in events with faculty and key administrators, scholarship and fellowship mentoring programs, and volunteer projects.

To learn more, visit Opportunities on the honors program website.

Undergraduate Program of Study

University Honors

Honors at Iowa helps students tailor opportunities to different educational needs and goals. Honors students may take honors courses each semester that they are enrolled at the university. Honors courses are generally small and interactive. They connect students with distinguished professors and offer new topics each semester. Honors courses also are part of the GE CLAS Core curriculum and do not add requirements for graduation.

Honors Coursework

First Semester

Students begin honors work in their first semester.

Course List
Course #	Title	Hours
HONR:1000	Introduction to Honors	1
HONR:1100	Honors Primetime (taken immediately before the fall semester begins)	0
An honors course that fulfills a student's major or general education requirement		3-4

Students who enter the honors program directly from high school may also take an honors first-year seminar with selected professors on current topics.

Subsequent Semesters

After the first semester of in the program, students are expected to continue to enroll in an honors section of a course each semester until they reach at least 12 s.h. of honors coursework.

Students in their third year of study and beyond may take honors courses in their majors or pursue individual instruction with faculty members through honors courses such as HONR:3994 Honors Research Practicum. Students may also earn honors credit for a non-honors course by developing an honors contract with the course instructor; the student and instructor negotiate a unique project for the course and develop the honors contract around the project.

Additional academic opportunities include honors advanced seminars, honors independent studies, and honors practica in teaching and service.

To learn more, visit Honors Requirements on the program's website.

Experiential Learning

In addition to coursework, students must complete and report on 12 s.h. of experiential learning. These cocurricular activities come in many forms and vary in scale and depth. Students often complete three to four signature experiences including but not limited to study abroad, internships, research, leadership positions, service and volunteering, relevant work, teaching assistantships, fellowships, and practica. Experiences from a student's first day of classes at UI can be considered for credit.

Find more information on experiential learning opportunities by visiting Experiential Learning on the Honors at Iowa website.

Joining the Honors Program

Students may apply to the University of Iowa Honors Program as entering first-year, entering transfer, or current University of Iowa students. Current students are encouraged to apply prior to earning 30 s.h. in coursework. This enhances the benefit the student may get through their honors participation.

To remain in the Honors Program and to graduate with University Honors, students must complete the program's curricular requirements. At the time of graduation, students must have a UI cumulative grade-point average of 3.33 for "University Honors" to be recorded on their transcript. For more information about joining the University of Iowa Honors Program, see Join on the program's website.

Graduation With University Honors

Students who graduate with University Honors through the UI Honors Program are recognized at commencement. University Honors is noted on a student's diploma and transcript. UI Honors Program students completing any undergraduate degree program may graduate with University Honors.

Blank Honors Center

Honors at Iowa has its home in the Blank Honors Center (BHC), a facility that helps foster community among honors students. The Blank Honors Center is located near the center of the University of Iowa main campus, next to residence halls and classroom buildings. It offers social areas, quiet study areas, wireless internet access, computer stations, and classrooms for students. The center also houses the honors staff and has rooms for meetings, events, presentations, and conversation.

Honors housing is available for first-year honors students on campus. Students must apply to live in the Honors Residential Community. See Housing on the Iowa Division of Student Life website for information about how to apply.

Sample Plan of Study

Sample plans represent one way to complete a program of study. Actual course selection and sequence will vary and should be discussed with an academic advisor. For additional sample plans, see MyUI.

University Honors

Joining Honors as First-Year Students During Fall Semester

Plan of Study Grid (Manual)
Academic Career
Any Semester		Hours
Students may apply to the honors program as entering first-year, entering transfer, or current University of Iowa students. ^a
Honors: To graduate with University Honors, students must have a University of Iowa cumulative GPA of at least 3.33.
	Hours	0
First Year
Fall
HONR:1100	Honors Primetime	0
HONR:1000	Introduction to Honors	1
Honors section of a GE course such as RHET:1030 Rhetoric, ENGL:1200 The Interpretation of Literature, CHEM:1110 Principles of Chemistry I, or SEES:1100 Age of Dinosaurs ^b		3 - 4
Meet with an Honors Peer Mentor during drop-in hours
Select Honors courses for spring semester
Study Abroad: attend Study Abroad Fair (explore experiential learning options) ^c
Research: attend Fall Undergraduate Research Festival (FURF) (explore experiential learning options)
Consider applying to become an Honors Outreach Ambassador (explore experiential learning options) ^d
Consider Honors Program scholarship opportunities ^e
Read the weekly Honorable Messenger email bulletin for honors community events and announcements
Complete the pre-experience questionnaire as part of the Honors Reflection Process for possible honors experiential learning credit for experiences such as internships, study abroad, service learning, LA or TA positions, and volunteer/paid/uncredited research
	Hours	4-5
Spring
Honors section of a GE course such as RHET:1030 Rhetoric, ENGL:1200 The Interpretation of Literature, CHEM:1110 Principles of Chemistry I, or SEES:1100 Age of Dinosaurs		3 - 4
Meet with an Honors Peer Mentor by the end of the academic year
Explore 1, 2, or 3 s.h. Honors staff-taught courses such as HONR:2900 Honors Publications: From Pitch to Print or HONR:2991 Honors Students and Wellness or HONR:2993 Generative Creative Writing Workshop		0 - 3
Select Honors courses for fall semester
Consider applying for an Honors Writing Fellow position (explore experiential learning options)
Research: attend Spring Undergraduate Research Festival (SURF) (explore experiential learning options)
Research: explore research opportunities for summer or second year (explore experiential learning opportunities) ^f
Consider applying for an Honors Student Staff position for the coming academic year ^g
Complete the pre-experience questionnaire as part of the Honors Reflection Process for possible honors experiential learning credit for experiences such as internships, study abroad, service learning, LA or TA positions, and volunteer/paid/uncredited research
	Hours	3-7
Summer
Summer jobs and volunteering often qualify for experiential learning credit. Check with an honors advisor or complete the pre-experience questionnaire as part of the Honors Reflection Process for possible honors experiential learning credit.
Summer is a great time to pursue mentored research. Complete the pre-experience questionnaire as part of the Honors Reflection Process for possible honors experiential learning credit for your volunteer/paid/uncredited research.
	Hours	0
Second Year
Any Semester
Continue to enroll in honors sections of courses until you reach at least 12 s.h. of honors coursework credit.
	Hours	0
Fall
HONR:2990	Honors Second-Year Seminar: Meaning, Motivation, and Experiential Learning	2
Honors section of a GE course such as RHET:1030 Rhetoric, ENGL:1200 The Interpretation of Literature, CHEM:1110 Principles of Chemistry I, or SEES:1100 Age of Dinosaurs		3 - 4
Explore 1, 2, or 3 s.h. Honors staff-taught classes such as HONR:2900 Honors Publications: From Pitch to Print or HONR:2994 Poetics (Taylor's Version) or HONR:2992 Classic Cult Cinema		1 - 3
Meet with an Honors Peer Mentor by the end of the academic year ^h
Study Abroad: attend Study Abroad Fair (explore experiential learning options) ^c
Research: attend Fall Undergraduate Research Festival (FURF) (explore experiential learning options)
Consider applying to become an Honors Outreach Ambassador (explore experiential learning options) ^d
Select Honors courses for spring semester
Consider Honors Program scholarship opportunities ^e
Complete the pre-experience questionnaire as part of the Honors Reflection Process for possible honors experiential learning credit for experiences such as internships, study abroad, service learning, LA or TA positions, and volunteer/paid/uncredited research
	Hours	6-9
Spring
Honors section of a GE course or a contract course in your major/department ⁱ		3 - 5
Check University Honors degree audit ^j
Explore 1, 2, or 3 s.h. Honors staff-taught classes such as HONR:2900 Honors Publications: From Pitch to Print or HONR:2991 Honors Students and Wellness or HONR:2993 Generative Creative Writing Workshop		0 - 3
Meet with the Honors Advisor for your major: is Honors in the Major right for you?
Research: attend SURF; consider what research questions you might pursue
Research: explore research opportunities for summer or third year ^f
Consider applying for an Honors Student Staff position for the coming academic year ^g
Complete the Honors Reflection Process for possible honors experiential learning credit for experiences such as internships, study abroad, service learning, LA or TA positions, and volunteer/paid/uncredited research
	Hours	3-8
Summer
Summer jobs and volunteering often qualify for experiential learning credit. Check with an honors advisor or complete the Honors Reflection Process for possible honors experiential learning credit.
Summer is a great time to pursue mentored research. Complete the Honors Reflection Process for possible honors experiential learning credit for your volunteer/paid/uncredited research.
	Hours	0
Third Year
Fall
Check University Honors degree audit ^j
Explore honors experiential coursework such as RHET:3560 Public Policy and Persuasion, LS:1024 Hawkeye Service Breaks, etc.
Explore 1, 2, or 3 s.h. Honors staff-taught classes such as HONR:2900 Honors Publications: From Pitch to Print or HONR:2994 Poetics (Taylor's Version) or HONR:2992 Classic Cult Cinema
Consider Honors Program scholarship opportunities ^e
Complete the pre-experience questionnaire as part of the Honors Reflection Process for possible honors experiential learning credit for experiences such as internships, study abroad, service learning, LA or TA positions, and volunteer/paid/uncredited research
Consult with an Honors Peer Mentor or a member of the Honors Professional Advising Staff to ensure that you are on track with University Honors curricular requirements
	Hours	0
Spring
Check University Honors degree audit ^j
Explore 1, 2, or 3 s.h. Honors staff-taught classes such as HONR:2900 Honors Publications: From Pitch to Print or HONR:2991 Honors Students and Wellness or HONR:2993 Generative Creative Writing Workshop
Complete the pre-experience questionnaire as part of the Honors Reflection Process for possible honors experiential learning credit for experiences such as internships, study abroad, service learning, LA or TA positions, and volunteer/paid/uncredited research
Consult with an Honors Peer Mentor or a member of the Honors Professional Advising Staff to ensure that you are on track with University Honors curricular requirements
	Hours	0
Summer
Summer jobs and volunteering often qualify for experiential learning credit. Check with an honors advisor or complete the Honors Reflection Process for possible honors experiential learning credit.
Summer is a great time to pursue mentored research. Complete the Honors Reflection Process for possible honors experiential learning credit for your volunteer/paid/uncredited research.
	Hours	0
Fourth Year
Fall
Check University Honors degree audit ^j
Explore 1, 2, or 3 s.h. Honors staff-taught classes such as HONR:2900 Honors Publications: From Pitch to Print or HONR:2992 Classic Cult Cinema or HONR:2994 Poetics (Taylor's Version)
Complete any remaining assignments (pre- and post-experience questionnaires and narrative) as part of the Honors Reflection Process for possible honors experiential learning credit for experiences such as internships, study abroad, service learning, LA or TA positions, and volunteer/paid/uncredited research
Consult with Honors Records, Enrollment and Analytics Specialist or Honors Advising Director for pre-approval to graduate with University Honors
	Hours	0
Spring
Complete any remaining assignments (pre- and post-experience questionnaires and narrative) as part of the Honors Reflection Process for possible honors experiential learning credit for experiences such as internships, study abroad, service learning, LA or TA positions, and volunteer/paid/uncredited research
Check University Honors degree audit ^k
Consult with Honors Records, Enrollment and Analytics Specialist or Honors Advising Director for pre-approval to graduate with University Honors
Graduate with University Honors
	Hours	0
	Total Hours	16-29

a: Please see the Honors at Iowa website at https://honors.uiowa.edu/join-program for further details and application instructions.
b: An Honors course must be completed in the first semester of Honors membership.
c: To earn honors credit for study abroad students complete questionnaires and a narrative piece. See details on the Experiential Learning pages on the Honors at Iowa website.
d: Typically advertised in Honorable Messenger or email honors-advisor@uiowa.edu for more information.
e: Submit by deadline which is typically early in the spring semester. Successful recipients in the past have consulted web resources at https://honors.uiowa.edu/honors-scholarships.
f: Consult OUR Ambassadors or visit our.research.uiowa.edu.
g: Check the weekly Honorable Messenger or email honors-program@uiowa.edu.
h: Optional for students who have completed the 12 s.h. University Honors coursework requirement.
i: Students are expected to continue to enroll in an honors section of a course each semester until they reach at least 12 s.h. of honors coursework credit.
j: Report missing honors credit to the Honors Assessment Manager.
k: Students must complete the experiential learning requirement by graduation.

University of Iowa Honors Program Courses

HONR:1000 Introduction to Honors 1 s.h.

Learn about what it means to be a student in the honors program and build community with peers, faculty, and staff. Corequisites: HONR:1100.

HONR:1100 Honors Primetime 0 s.h.

Preparation for honors opportunities, especially activities and courses; teamwork on projects that develop skills of invention and communication; presentation of products and performances; connect honors students, honors teachers, and staff members. Corequisites: HONR:1000.

HONR:1350 Honors Seminar for Presidential Scholars 1 s.h.

Through self-discovery, students learn to know themselves and one another better while participating in selected events and structured experiences (e.g., readings, in-class discussion, small-group work, guest presentations, event attendance); students take time to reflect on interests, experiences, and knowledge, and have an opportunity to explore and integrate skills and resources in a way that helps develop the personal and academic self while also considering knowledge and experience of other individuals and groups; students are provided with tools to seek out academics and activities related to their interests and pursuits to better connect with development resources. Requirements: Presidential Scholarship award received when admitted to the University of Iowa.

HONR:1360 Honors Seminar for Presidential Scholars II 1 s.h.

HONR:1670 Values and Culture 3 s.h.

Asking fundamental questions about human experience and its meaning while becoming more aware of what, exactly, defines culture and values; students have a chance to consider their own values and beliefs, and the importance to their lifelong goals. GE: Values and Society.

HONR:2050 Honors Contract Project 1 s.h.

Individual or group project arranged with faculty; students and faculty develop and complete an honors contract study plan or project for a non-honors UI course.

HONR:2100 Honors Colloquium 1 s.h.

Attendance at talks, performances, and other events across campus.

HONR:2600 Honors Special Topics 1-3 s.h.

Small-class learning with a faculty member on special topics.

HONR:2900 Honors Publications: From Pitch to Print 1-2 s.h.

Students develop and hone writing skills as they create content for UI Honors Program publications from start to finish—envisioning themes, interviewing, writing, securing photos and captions, workshopping, and editing pieces; topics related to student body, professional staff, alumni, and current events relevant to honors program; completion of up to three major projects published in Honors Newsletter, Alumni Connection, honors program blog, or other social media; discussion posts and workshops.

HONR:2990 Honors Second-Year Seminar: Meaning, Motivation, and Experiential Learning 2 s.h.

Experiential learning requirements for the UI Honors Program.

HONR:2991 Honors Students and Wellness 3 s.h.

Learn about how one's high academic ability and overall wellness interact during college years and beyond. Focuses on student challenges such as impostor syndrome, perfectionism, burnout, study habits, physical activity, nutrition, sleep, and work/life balance.

HONR:2992 Classic Cult Cinema 3 s.h.

Have you ever wondered why certain films reach cult status and others do not? What makes us want to go to repeated midnight showings of the same film and even dress up like the characters? What is a cult classic and who are the great masters of these films? And most importantly, how do these films add social and political commentary about the culture around them? Students explore these questions while watching, discussing, and reading about what puts the "cult" into cult cinema. GE: Literary, Visual, and Performing Arts.

HONR:2993 The Art of Creativity: How to Think Like a Writer 3 s.h.

Develop literary community while generating new work, invigorating works-in-progress, and learning to navigate writer's block. Using carefully structured writing prompts, intuition exercises, and guided meditations, students develop a significant portfolio of creative work in any genre. Additionally, students learn actionable strategies for developing a productive writing practice based on traditional and non-traditional techniques. GE: Literary, Visual, and Performing Arts.

HONR:2994 Poetics (Taylor's Version) 3 s.h.

Explore Taylor Swift's songs through an examination of poetic techniques and common motifs; discuss innocence, heartbreak, revenge, nostalgia, betrayal, and anti-heroism in light of Swift's authorial vision. Texts by and about Swift as well as academic and popular articles about her cultural impact will be discussed. Students will analyze and experience Swift's fandom through embodied practices such as the creation of friendship bracelets.

HONR:3050 Honors Studies arr.

Independent studies arranged with faculty members who certify satisfactory completion of study plans and performance for topics not covered by other UI courses.

HONR:3100 Honors Teaching Practicum 0-4 s.h.

Teaching internship in first- and second-year courses; may include providing tutorial assistance, conducting review sessions, aiding course organization.

HONR:3150 Honors Service Learning arr.

Service learning projects arranged with faculty members who certify satisfactory completion of study plans and service.

HONR:3170 Honors Outreach Ambassadors 1-2 s.h.

Experience sharing knowledge and experiences of the honors program with other students in meetings during office hours, online chats, other venues; outreach ambassadors; answer questions, provide information, help students find honors opportunities in and out of class.

HONR:3210 Honors Policy Research Practicum 1 s.h.

Theory and practice of public policy research; development of policy-research skills; production of policy-research papers. Requirements: sophomore or junior standing.

HONR:3994 Honors Research Practicum 1-4 s.h.

Individual research performed in conjunction with a faculty member's research.

HONR:4990 Honors Thesis or Project 1-3 s.h.

Culminating project of research or artistic creation; preparation and completion of the final product associated with graduation with honors in the student's major. Requirements: member of the University of Iowa Honors Program and junior or senior standing.