Frequently Asked Questions
Prospective Honors Students FAQs
What is the International Honors Program?
Lloyd International Honors College is a community of motivated, inquisitive students and faculty, where students benefit from a liberal arts curriculum while studying in a larger research university setting. Honors students pursue all majors at UNCG, and take uniquely themed Honors seminars that are taught by engaging faculty. Honors classes are capped at 25, which allows for collaborative, discussion-based teaching and learning.
The International Honors Program is geared towards motivated, high-achieving incoming first-year students and current UNCG students who have completed fewer than 30 hours, pursuing all majors. New first-year students take a 1-credit Honors Colloquium, which introduces them to the Honors experience and to UNCG, and a 3-credit 100-level Honors First-Year Seminar. (Current students substitute a 200-level seminar for the 100-level seminar.) In order to complete the requirements of the program, by graduation, students need to complete three additional 200-level International Honors seminars, achieve proficiency (the 204 level) of a second language, and study abroad, typically for a semester at one of UNCG's 100+ exchange partner institutions. Honors students in good standing receive a travel scholarship, currently $1,300, which helps offset the cost of plane fare. The International Honors Program is very flexible, and teaches students to think and read critically, to craft clear arguments, and to find their place in an increasingly interdependent world.
Can I join the International Honors Program
after I've started taking classes at UNCG?
Yes. If your GPA is at least 3.30 at the end of your first semester at UNCG, you may apply for spring admission to the International Honors Program.
Which program is better for me:
International Honors or Disciplinary Honors?
International Honors is ideally suited for freshmen that have yet to fulfill General Education requirements. Disciplinary Honors is better for students who are already taking classes in their major. If you are unsure which program is better for you, please set up an appointment to speak with an Honors Academic Adviser.
How does Honors in college differ from high school Honors?
The National Collegiate Honors Council provides a concise description about how Honors in college differs from high school. Please visit this web site.
Does it cost anything extra to be a member of the Honors College?
Yes. New students admitted to International Honors are charged a $10 Honors Orientation fee at the beginning of their first semester in Honors. Graduating seniors are charged a $30 graduation fee during their senior 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 Cashiers 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 LIHC give out UNCG scholarships?
No. For information about UNCG scholarships, such as the UNCG Scholars Program, go to Financial Aid.
Current Honors Students FAQs
How 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 Honors students to get Honors credit for a non-Honors course by enhancing that non-Honors course. Honors Contract Courses can be used to help fulfill requirements in the Disciplinary Honors Program. They generally cannot be used to fulfill requirements in the International Honors Program. For detailed instructions, see Contract Courses.
Do I have to be an Honors student to take Honors courses?
Preference for enrollment in Honors courses is made for students enrolled in the International Honors Program or the Disciplinary Honors Program. If, at the time of registration for classes, however, you possess a UNCG GPA of at least 3.30, you may enroll in a Disciplinary Honors course if you meet all other course prerequisites. Disciplinary Honors courses normally are offered at the 300-level or higher. This registration opportunity does not apply to International Honors program courses, which generally are offered at the 100- and 200 level and carry general education markers. All courses carrying the HSS prefix are closed Honors courses, available only to Honors College International Honors Program students or to other LIHC students by permission of the Dean. If you are a qualified non-honors student seeking enrollment in a disciplinary honors course, you will need to fill out a drop/add form and bring it to the Honors Office. After verifying your eligibility, you may be admitted to the course if space is available.
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 International Honors program are you required to take the Honors Colloquium (1 credit hour) and a First-Year Honors Seminar (3 credit hours). Other than this exception, each semester, you may take as many or as few Honors courses as you wish. If you reside in North Spencer Honors Residence Hall, you are expected to take at least one Honors course each year.
What if I don't complete all the requirements for either the International Honors Program or the Disciplinary Honors Program?
Students who complete the requirements for either of our Honors programs are recognized on their transcript, at the Honors Banquet, 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 204 Level?
UNCG currently offers language instruction through the 204 level in Ancient Greek, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Latin, Portuguese, 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.
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 fluency.
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 "204" level of language. You can also engage in language study while completing your international experience at one of UNCG's partner institutions. Among the languages you could study are Estonian, Polish, Swedish, and Finnish. 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 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.