Disciplinary Honors Basics
Disciplinary Honors Basics for Students
Disciplinary Honors is a distinct Honors College track for sophomores and above to explore their major in depth. Admission requires a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.30–3.50, depending on the major, and a minimum of 40 completed college credit hours.
Students work closely with faculty on advanced research or creative projects, gaining valuable preparation for graduate school or careers. Requirements vary by department and usually involve few, if any, added courses. Students should consult the Undergraduate Catalog, their department’s Honors Liaison, or the Honors College’s Disciplinary Honors Advisor for details.
Each department has an Honors Liaison—get to know yours before your junior year.
Enhancing Classes in Your Major
Most Disciplinary Honors work involves enhancing major courses through an Honors Contract, often by adding a paper, presentation, expanded assignments, or extra meetings with the professor. Some majors also offer Honors sections or require specific courses for the program
Unless otherwise specified by the Department, all Honors Course Contracts must be completed in courses at the 300-level or above.
The Senior Honors Project
The Senior Honors Project is the culmination of a student’s Disciplinary Honors experience and may take the form of a paper, performance, experiment, or product. All projects must include a written component, reflect scholarly work, and contribute meaningfully to a field of study.
Projects vary by discipline but typically involve identifying a problem, researching it, and presenting original findings through a written or creative work. Length and format depend on the field—for example, 30–50 pages in the humanities, shorter in the sciences or arts.
Projects must be supervised and approved by a UNC Greensboro faculty member in the relevant discipline. Students should consult their Honors Liaison early in the planning process.
Past Senior Honors Projects are available in NCDOCKS, and many students find them helpful.