For Prospective StudentsAre Honors classes better than “regular classes?”
Most of the differences between high school honors classes and a college or university Honors education stem from the distinction between quantity and quality. High school honors classes tend to be distinguished from non-honors classes by the greater amount of work that honors students are required to do, or the faster (“accelerated”) speed at which they progress through their course work. Indeed, often when high school honors students first consider a college or university Honors education, they may feel some reluctance to take on what they believe will be extra work or little more than an accelerated version of an already-fast-paced college education. But college Honors is not designed to be about more work or harder work. It is truly student-centered education. It is meant to provide you with an education that helps you develop your own ideas rather than simply having you feed back information. It is about discussing issues and encouraging innovation in an atmosphere of open exchange, where students’ views are respected. Honors programs emphasize diverse perspectives, interdisciplinary coursework, small classes, and greater interaction between students and professors. Honors education is about learning to think clearly, to write well, to argue thoughtfully. It is about developing your fullest intellectual potential. Finally, students should bear in mind that the majority of their courses in college will not be Honors courses. They will be courses in their major or free electives.
What’s “international” about the International Honors College?
The Global Honors Program is for students pursuing all majors who hope to better navigate an interdependent world by exploring and developing both inside and outside the classroom. Most 100- and 200-level Honors courses are thematically concerned with literatures, cultures, and societies around the world. Courses in Global Honors emphasize finding your place in a complex, globalized world. Students pursuing Global Honors also complete two courses in a second language. In addition, the Global Honors experiences, from which students will have many opportunities to customize their learning and development towards their own goals, support intercultural learning, global citizenship, and cultural competence.
Do I get to do a Senior Honors Thesis/Project?
Once you are well into your studies at UNCG and start taking classes in your major, you can do Honors in your major, which at UNCG is called Disciplinary Honors, the other Honors program in the Honors College. As a student in the Disciplinary Honors Program you do an intensive research project in your major, which culminates in a significant piece of written work, piece of scientific research, or artistic project. You work closely with a professor in your major field, opening doors to graduate and professional study, not to mention recommendation letters from a faculty member who really knows you!
Does it cost anything extra to be a member of the Honors College?
New students admitted to Global Honors are charged a $30 first-year Honors fee at the beginning of their first semester in Honors. New students admitted to Disciplinary Honors will be charged a $30 fee at the beginning of their first semester in Honors. Honors students are charged $30 each year they are a member of the college. Graduating seniors, regardless of when they entered the Honors College, are charged a $30 graduation fee during their fourth year. The graduation fee may not correspond to the semester of graduation but will be assessed only once in order to cover all costs of graduating with Honors. All charges are handled through the University Cashier’s Office.
Do I Have to Take a Language Placement Test When I Come to UNCG?
It is very strongly recommended that you take the language placement test for the language you studied in high school if at all possible and even if you don’t believe you will test well. It only takes a little time and helps provide information about the options you will have for completing the language requirement. Taking a language placement test does not mean that you must continue study in that language.
Does the Honors College give out any scholarships?
The Honors College awards several exclusive scholarships, working closely with Financial Aid and the Office of Undergraduate Admissions to make our selections. Scholarships are available to incoming freshmen as well as current students in both International and Disciplinary Honors. Some examples of the scholarships available to students are:
Honors students, like all UNCG students, may be eligible for the merit scholarships awarded by Admissions, as well as other sources of funding through Financial Aid.
Which program is better for me: Global Honors or Disciplinary Honors?
Global Honors is ideally suited for first-year students who are interested in fulfilling Minerva’s Academic Curriculum requirements in small, discussion-based courses, and who are interested in maximizing their time at UNCG by exploring all of the high-impact opportunities we offer on campus, including study abroad. Disciplinary Honors is for current UNCG students who have earned at least 40 college credits and a 3.3 GPA. Disciplinary Honors is designed as an academic enhancement in your major, so once you begin registering for classes in your major, please set up an appointment to speak with an Honors Academic Advisor.
Is there an Honors residence hall?
Yes! We have five total residences. Starting in the 2024-2025 academic year, Lloyd International Honors College will include four Residential Colleges, each with its own unique theme and open to and welcoming of all majors. Each Honors RC is a living-learning community with on-site Honors classes, advisors, programming, and social activities. Only first-year Honors students who are planning on living on campus are required to live in Honors housing. Honors students living in any Honors housing may select a non-Honors roommate.
For sophomore, junior, and senior Honors students, Gray Hall, on the newly renovated Quad, provides a rich environment, including specialized advising, for Honors students who are doing research in their majors, involved in the local community, and connecting Greensboro to the world. Continuing Honors students may choose to live in the Honors RCs or in Gray Hall.
You can learn more about our housing options here.
What are the benefits of living in Honors housing?
Students in the Honors College have the same academic program requirements and opportunities, regardless of place of residence. Additionally, all events and activities that are specifically sponsored by the Honors College are open to all Honors students, no matter where they live. However, the Residential Colleges in the Honors College offer Honors students the unique opportunity to live with students who share mindsets and interests, to take advantage of in-house classes, programming, and academic advising, and to build meaningful communities that center diversity and inclusion. The Residential Colleges are all centrally located on College Avenue with easy access to the dining hall, classroom buildings, and the library. The Residential Colleges also boast some of the largest rooms for first-year students on campus. Gray Hall, the Honors residence for upperclassmen, is arranged suite-style with shared bathrooms and double and single rooms. Honors students value the academics-focused community and the proximity to the heart of campus.
Do I have to live in Honors housing?
Students entering the Global Honors Program who choose to live on campus are expected to live in an Honors Residential College. Honors students living in Residential Colleges participate in a living-learning community with other Honors students, with classes in the residence, and on-site advising and programming designed specifically for them. However, the Honors College is happy to accommodate a select number of students who may wish to participate in a different living-learning community while also being a member of the Honors College. Please talk with an academic advisor about this option.
For Current StudentsHow do I officially notify the Honors College of my International Experience?
You need to follow the directions for an International Experience, which can be found here.
What’s an Honors Contract Course?
An Honors Contract Course is a way for Disciplinary Honors and Global Honors students to get Honors credit for a non-Honors course by enhancing that non-Honors course. They generally cannot be used to fulfill requirements in the International Honors Program.
Do I have to be an Honors student to take Honors courses?
All courses carrying the HSS prefix are closed Honors courses, available only to Honors College students.
Do I have to take an Honors course every semester to remain in the Honors College?
No. As long as you maintain a 3.30 cumulative UNCG GPA, you will be an active member of the Honors College. Only in the first semester of the Global Honors program are you required to take the Honors Colloquium (1 credit hour). Other than this exception, each semester, you may take as many or as few Honors courses as you wish.
What if I don’t complete all the requirements for either the Global Honors Program, International Honors Program, or the Disciplinary Honors Program?
Students who complete the requirements for any of our Honors programs are recognized on their transcript, at the Honors Graduation Ceremonies, and at graduation for their achievement. Students who do not complete those requirements are not penalized but are not recognized.
What Languages Does UNCG offer through the 102 or 204 Level?
UNCG currently offers language instruction through the 102 or 204 level in Ancient Greek, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Latin, Russian, and Spanish. American Sign Language also currently fulfills this requirement.
Can I Place Out of My Language Requirement?
Yes. By taking the appropriate placement test, you may be able to place out of some or all of the courses necessary to fulfill the language requirement. Students may also place out of their language requirements via AP courses or transfer courses.
When should I start taking language courses at UNCG?
Unless you are already fluent in a language other than English or plan on fulfilling the language requirement while studying abroad, you should plan on taking language courses as soon as possible and preferably beginning in your first semester at UNCG. The sooner you begin studying a language, the sooner you can achieve proficiency.
Can I study a language that is not taught at UNCG?
Yes. Studying a language not taught at UNCG may present additional challenges in getting the training to reach a 102 or 204 level of language. You can arrange to learn another language through a variety of instructional methods online or in person. You can also engage in language study while completing your international experience at one of UNCG’s partner institutions. To explore the possibility of studying a language not taught at UNCG, you are strongly encouraged to talk to the Honors College office as soon as possible. Please note that you will need to document your proficiency with a letter of certification from a professor at an accredited US college or university.
I am already proficient in a language other than English. Do I have to take courses to fulfill this requirement?
No. An acceptable level of proficiency is the ability to read a newspaper or magazine without a dictionary and understand approximately 80% of what is read and approximately 60% of the spoken word. If you are already proficient in a language other than English, you can document that ability without having to take courses. If your high school courses were taught in a language other than English, you may document your proficiency with a high school transcript. If you are fluent in a language taught at UNCG, you can document that proficiency through a placement test or an interview with a faculty member. If you are proficiency in a language not taught at UNCG, you can document that proficiency by submitting a letter of certification from a professor at any accredited US college or university documenting proficiency. For help with this process, contact the Honors College office.
If I study a language while abroad, do I need to take four semesters?
Not necessarily. Acceptable proficiency requires the ability to read a newspaper or magazine without a dictionary and understand approximately 80% of what is read and approximately 60% of the spoken word. If you believe you have that level of proficiency, you can document it by taking a placement test or participating in an interview with a UNCG faculty member. If you are proficient in a language not taught at UNCG, you can document that fluency by submitting a letter of certification from a professor at any accredited US college or university. For help with this, contact the Honors College office.
How do I graduate with Honors?
Students who have completed all requirements for Global Honors, International Honors, or Disciplinary Honors by graduation shall be awarded Global, International, or Disciplinary Honors. Students who complete both the International Honors Program and the Disciplinary Honors Program or both the Global Honors and Disciplinary Honors Program are awarded Full University Honors for their sustained Honors work throughout their time as undergraduate students.
How do I graduate with Disciplinary Honors?
Requirements vary by major. See specific program requirements here.
Courses used to satisfy requirements in the Disciplinary Honors Program cannot be used to satisfy requirements in the Global Honors or International Honors Program.
How do I graduate with Global Honors?
To graduate with Global Honors, you must possess a UNCG GPA of 3.30 or higher at graduation, and meet the following requirements:
How do I graduate with International Honors?
To graduate with International Honors, you must possess a UNCG GPA of 3.30 or higher at graduation, and meet the following requirements:
How do I graduate with Full University Honors?
Students who complete both the International Honors Program and the Disciplinary Honors Program or the Global Honors Program and Disciplinary Honors Program are awarded Full University Honors for their sustained Honors work throughout their time as undergraduate students.
How do I request removal from the Honors College?
Please submit this Request for Removal Form.
Lloyd International Honors College
UNC Greensboro
Physical Address:
205 Foust Building
Greensboro, NC 27412
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 26170
Greensboro, NC 27402
Phone: 336.334.5538
Fax: 336.334.4199
Email: askhonors@uncg.edu
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