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Honors Program at NMU

Six different designations may be earned in NMU's Honors Program:

  • Full Honors
  • Full Honors with World Language Studies 
  • Upper Division Honors
  • Upper Division Honors with World Language Studies
  • Lower Division Honors
  • Lower Division Honors with World Language Studies

Each Honors Program student will be advised by both a success advisor and Honors Program advisors. Students will also receive counseling for advanced degree work and professional employment.

Typical Program Outline

Year One

  • HON 101 - 4 credits in Perspectives on Society
  • HON 111 - 4 credits in Human Expression

Year Two 

  • HON 201 - 4 credits in Perspectives on Society
  • HON 211 - 4 credits in Integrative Thinking

Year Three (12 credits, drawn from among the following)

  • "Honors Contract" course - 4 credits in major or minor, or
  • HON 301 - 4 credits in Social Responsibility in a Diverse World, or
  • HON 302 - 4 credits in Social Responsibility in a Diverse World, or
  • HON 495 Special Topics

Year Four

Capstone experience – “honorize” a 400 level research or directed study course within the major, if major does not provide such a course student enrolls in HON 498

Admission Requirements

Qualifications for first-year student admission to the Honors Program normally include a 3.50 high school grade point average; a score of 27 or higher on the ACT (or 1260 SAT combined score)*; one letter of recommendation from high school teacher, counselor, or principal; and a written personal statement.  Prospective students who do not quite meet these requirements will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. 

Currently enrolled and transfer students with demonstrated academic ability may also join the Honors Program. In this highly competitive program, the university retains the right to exercise judgment regarding the eligibility of the applicants.

*ACT and SAT test scores are optional for 2025-26 school year applicants.

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Graduation Requirements

 

There are different requirements for each Honors Program designation. Review each desgination's requirements below.

In addition, students who wish to earn any Honors Program designation (lower division, upper division, full) on their transcript must

  1. Demonstrate proficiency in mathematics (at least pre-calculus MA 115). Mathematics proficiency can be demonstrated by advanced placement (AP) credit, previous course work, appropriate examination, or by taken an appropriate math class at NMU.
  2. Take one (1) class in a foreign language during their time at NMU.
  3. Students must achieve a 3.30 university grade point average. Further, students must achieve an overall 3.00 GPA for all HON and "H" courses to graduate in honors.

Students who elect this option will complete the first two years of Honors courses, HON 101, 111, 201, 211 (16 credits), must demonstrate math proficiency, and take a foreign language course while at NMU (not possible to "test out" or count courses from high school, although AP credit or dual-enrollment courses may count).

Students who elect this option complete all of the requirements for lower division honors and complete a language course of study through the 202 level. Students who place out of the 202 level would be required to take at least 4 credits of coursework in a language other than English at NMU to receive this designation.

Students who elect this option will complete the last two years of the Honors Program, 12 credits of upper-division classes (i.e. 300 and above) and the capstone experience, must demonstrate math proficiency, and take a foreign language course while at NMU (not possible to "test out" or count courses from high school, although AP credit or dual-enrollment courses may count).

 

Students who elect this option complete all of the requirements for Upper Division Honors and complete a language course of study through the 202 level. Students who place out of the 202 level would be required to take at least 4 credits of coursework in a language other than English at NMU to receive this designation.

For Full Honors, students earn general education credit by completing interdisciplinary Honors core courses in their first, second, and third years. In the fourth year, Honors Program students enroll in a capstone senior experience, completing a research project or creative work.

Completion of both Lower and Upper Division Honors requirements.

Students who elect this option complete all of the requirements for Full Honors and complete a language course of study through the 202 level. Students who place out of the 202 level would be required to take at least 4 credits of coursework in a language other than English at NMU to receive this designation.