Mark Stephen Cosby Honors College

The Mark Stephen Cosby Honors College

The Mark Stephen Cosby Honors College is a supportive learning community that encourages highly motivated, high-potential students to develop fully in their distinctive abilities, creating a foundation for sustained intellectual, professional, and personal growth. The Cosby Honors College at UW-Eau Claire offers a rigorous and evolving curriculum that assists students in the pursuit of creativity, innovation, discovery, and engagement across disciplines. The program offers an enhanced education, enabling students to integrate honors liberal education courses, honors interdisciplinary seminars, honors work in their major, and honors experiential learning opportunities into a high-value whole.

Honors at UW-Eau Claire has two components: University Honors and Departmental Honors. Students may graduate with honors by completing one component or both. Honors College participation and completion are documented on students’ university records, including transcripts.

University Honors. In small classes designed to stimulate and challenge high-achieving, highly motivated students, and in special sections of regular university courses, honors students gain opportunities to grow intellectually, to explore new interests, and to collaborate with faculty and peers from across the university.

Admission to the the Cosby Honors College. For details about current admissions policies, please consult the Cosby Honors College website. There are several ways to gain admission to the Cosby Honors College. (1) Incoming first-year students are invited to participate each fall semester based on ACT or SAT scores and high school class rank. (2) Students admitted to UW–Eau Claire with a strong academic profile that does not meet one or more of the automatic admissions benchmarks, including students who do not submit ACT or SAT scores, are frequently considered for admission to the Honors Program through a holistic review process. Any admitted student may also request their application to be holistically reviewed by contacting the Honors College office. (3) First-year students who have completed at least 14 credits at UW-Eau Claire during the fall semester may be invited to Honors during spring semester based on their GPA and, where available, ACT or SAT scores. (4) Students who are highly motivated to join the Honors Program may petition for admission. Contact the Honors College office more information. (5) Transfer students who were in good standing with an accredited honors program or college at their previous institution are eligible to join the Cosby Honors College at UW-Eau Claire. Honors credits earned at the previous institution are evaluated by the UW-Eau Claire Honors Director to determine how many credits can be applied to UW-Eau Claire Cosby Honors College requirements.

Graduation Requirements. A student may graduate with University Honors by meeting the following requirements:

Attainment of a resident and total GPA of at least 3.50.
Completion of a one-credit first-year seminar, HNRS 100, or an honors first-year experience course.
Completion of the 24-credit honors distribution requirement, in one of the three manners listed below, with at least two courses taken at the 300/400 level. Students may complete this distribution requirement by taking any combination of honors colloquia, honors sections of departmental courses, or honors special experience courses (study abroad, directed study, independent study, honors thesis, and internships). Honors courses frequently meet liberal education, major, or minor requirements in addition to fulfilling requirements for University Honors.
1. Completion of at least 24 credits of honors coursework.
2. Completion of at least 21 credits of honors coursework and one of the following: HNRS 410 , HNRS 420, HNRS 430, or the completion of a qualifying high-impact experience.
3. Completion of at least 18 credits of honors coursework and two of the following: HNRS 410, HNRS 420, HNRS 430, or the completion of a qualifying high-impact experience.
Completion of HNRS 400 (one credit).

Honors College courses may not be audited or taken for a satisfactory/unsatisfactory grade.

A course transferred from a high school dual-enrollment college program or test score (AP, IB, or CLEP) may be substituted as honors course credit, if minimum scores are met (a qualifying dual-enrollment course with an A or A-, an AP score of at least 4, an IB score of at least 5, or a B-level CLEP score). No more than one course, for a maximum of 5 credits, may be substituted for honors course credit.

Flexible Credits. To meet the honors coursework requirement, honors students have the option to take honors colloquium or honors sections of department courses, complete up to 9 credits of honors contracts, use credits obtained while completing departmental honors, and more. With HNRS 410, 420, and 430, students have the opportunity to earn honors credit for leadership and teaching experiences. Students can also earn honors credit for qualifying high-impact experiences including substantial undergraduate research experiences, semester-long internships, case competitions, and study abroad. For more information on these options, please consult the honors office at honors@uwec.edu.

An appropriate designation will be placed on a student’s record upon completion of all Cosby Honors College requirements. However, credits earned in honors courses meet graduation requirements whether or not the program is completed. A current schedule of honors courses is available on the Cosby Honors College website.

Department Honors. Many departments and programs offer students the opportunity to earn an honors distinction within their program of study, enabling students to strengthen skills and distinguish themselves within their major. Currently, departmental honors programs are available in Accounting and Finance, Biology, Business Administration, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Communication Sciences and Disorders, Computer Science, Criminal Justice, Economics, English, Geography and Anthropology, Geology and Environmental Science, Health Care Administration, History, International Business, Latin American and Latinx Studies, Management and Marketing, Materials Science and Engineering, Mathematics, Music and Theatre Arts, Philosophy and Religious Studies, Physics, Political Science, Sociology, and Spanish. In many cases, credits earned in a departmental honors program can be applied to Honors College requirements.

For information on departmental honors programs, consult department descriptions in this catalog.

Honors Seminars

HNRS 100 First-Year Honors Seminar (1 cr)

Prerequisite: Limited to students in the Cosby Honors College

Introduction to the University and to expectations of an Honors baccalaureate degree. Explores the value of a liberal education, the skills and knowledge needed to be an educated person, the roles of the Honors College and university requirements.

Attributes: Honor Course

Grading Basis: A-F Grades Only

HNRS 400 Senior Honors Seminar (1 cr)

Prerequisite: Limited to students in the Cosby Honors College. Senior standing, or Department Consent Required. If repeated, the second course can count toward the required 24 credits of Honors colloquia and electives.

A capstone course that explores students' undergraduate experiences, the value of a liberal education, and the value of an Honors education. Prepares Honors students for post-graduate opportunities.

Attributes: Honor Course, Capstone Course, Special Course Fee Required Varies by Term/Section

Repeat: Course may be repeated for a maximum of 2 credits

Grading Basis: A-F Grades Only

HNRS 410 Mentoring in Honors (1 cr)

Prerequisite: HNRS 100. Minimum junior standing. Limited to students in the Cosby Honors College.

Consent: Department Consent Required

Assist in instruction of HNRS 100, the First-Year Honors Seminar. Focus on the value of a baccalaureate education and on what constitutes an educated person. Open to juniors and seniors with permission of the Director of the University Honors Program.

Attributes: Honor Course, LE-CEL Community-Engaged Learning, Special Course Fee Required Varies by Term/Section

Grading Basis: A-F Grades Only

HNRS 420 Tutoring in Honors (1 cr)

Prerequisite: Minimum junior standing. Limited to students in the Cosby Honors College.

Consent: Department Consent Required

Assist in instruction of an Honors course previously completed. Open to juniors and seniors with permission of the Director of the University Honors Program.

Attributes: Honor Course, LE-CEL Community-Engaged Learning, Special Course Fee Required Varies by Term/Section

Grading Basis: A-F Grades Only

Honors Colloquia

These discussion-centered courses are especially designed for honors students and typically extend beyond the reach of a single discipline. Every honors colloquium meets liberal education and general education requirements.

The content of colloquia varies from semester to semester, and each section of an HNRS colloquium course number is a unique course.

HNRS 118 Honors Colloquium in Natural Science with Integration (3-4 crs)

Prerequisite: Limited to students in the Cosby Honors College

Honors Course in Natural Science with Integration.

Attributes: Honor Course, LE-I1 Integration, LE-K1 Natural Sciences

Repeat: Course may be repeated

Grading Basis: A-F Grades Only

HNRS 121 Honors Colloquium in Social Science (3-4 crs)

Prerequisite: Limited to students in the Cosby Honors College

Honors Course in Social Science.

Attributes: Honor Course, LE-K2 Social Sciences

Repeat: Course may be repeated

Grading Basis: A-F Grades Only

HNRS 122 Honors Colloquium in Social Science with Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity (3-4 crs)

Prerequisite: Limited to students in the Cosby Honors College

Honors Course in Social Science and Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity.

Attributes: Honor Course, LE-K2 Social Sciences, LE-R1 Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity

Repeat: Course may be repeated

Grading Basis: A-F Grades Only

HNRS 127 Honors Colloquium in Social Science with Creativity (3-4 crs)

Prerequisite: Limited to students in the Cosby Honors College

Lower-level Honors course is social science with creativity.

Attributes: Honor Course, LE-K2 Social Sciences, LE-S3 Creativity

Repeat: Course may be repeated

Grading Basis: A-F Grades Only

HNRS 129 Honors Colloquium in Social Science and Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity with Design for Diversity (3-4 crs)

Prerequisite: Limited to students in the Cosby Honors College

Honors Course in Social Science and Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity (and Design for Diversity emphasis on traditionally underrepresented racial/ethnic groups).

Attributes: Honor Course, LE-DDIV Design for Diversity, LE-K2 Social Sciences, LE-R1 Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity

Repeat: Course may be repeated

Grading Basis: A-F Grades Only

HNRS 132 Honors Colloquium in Humanities with Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity (3-4 crs)

Prerequisite: Limited to students in the Cosby Honors College

Honors Course in Humanities and Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity.

Attributes: Honor Course, LE-K3 Humanities, LE-R1 Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity

Repeat: Course may be repeated

Grading Basis: A-F Grades Only

HNRS 133 Honors Colloquium in Humanities with Global Perspective (3-4 crs)

Prerequisite: Limited to students in the Cosby Honors College

Honors Course in Humanities with Global Perspective.

Attributes: Honor Course, LE-K3 Humanities, LE-R2 Global Perspectives

Repeat: Course may be repeated

Grading Basis: A-F Grades Only

Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3-4

Lab/Studio Hours: 0

HNRS 138 Honors Colloquium in Humanities with Integration (3-4 crs)

Prerequisite: Limited to students in the Cosby Honors College

Honors Course in Humanities with Integration.

Attributes: Honor Course, LE-I1 Integration, LE-K3 Humanities

Repeat: Course may be repeated

Grading Basis: A-F Grades Only

HNRS 141 Honors Colloquium in Fine Arts (3-4 crs)

Prerequisite: Limited to students in the Cosby Honors College

Honors Course in the Arts.

Attributes: Honor Course, LE-K4 Fine Arts

Repeat: Course may be repeated

Grading Basis: A-F Grades Only

HNRS 142 Honors Colloquium in fine Arts and Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (3-4 crs)

Prerequisite: Limited to students in the Cosby Honors College

Honors Course in Arts and Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity.

Attributes: Honor Course, LE-K4 Fine Arts, LE-R1 Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity

Repeat: Course may be repeated

Grading Basis: A-F Grades Only

HNRS 147 Honors Colloquium in Fine Arts with Creativity (3-4 crs)

Prerequisite: Limited to students in the Cosby Honors College

Honors Course in Arts and Creativity.

Attributes: Honor Course, LE-K4 Fine Arts, LE-S3 Creativity

Repeat: Course may be repeated

Grading Basis: A-F Grades Only

HNRS 151 Honors Colloquium in Communication (3-4 crs)

Prerequisite: Limited to students in the Cosby Honors College

Honors Course in Communication.

Attributes: Honor Course, LE-S1 Written and Oral Communication

Repeat: Course may be repeated

Grading Basis: A-F Grades Only

HNRS 158 Honors Colloquium in Communication with Integration (3-4 crs)

Prerequisite: Limited to students in the Cosby Honors College

Honors Course in Communication with Integration.

Attributes: Honor Course, LE-I1 Integration, LE-S1 Written and Oral Communication

Repeat: Course may be repeated

Grading Basis: A-F Grades Only

HNRS 171 Honors Colloquium in Creativity (3-4 crs)

Prerequisite: Limited to students in the Cosby Honors College

Honors Course in creativity.

Attributes: Honor Course, LE-S3 Creativity

Repeat: Course may be repeated

Grading Basis: A-F Grades Only

HNRS 172 Honors Colloquium in Creativity with Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity (3-4 crs)

Prerequisite: Limited to students in the Cosby Honors College

Honors Course in Creativity with Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity.

Attributes: Honor Course, LE-R1 Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity, LE-S3 Creativity

Repeat: Course may be repeated

Grading Basis: A-F Grades Only

HNRS 187 Honors Colloquium in Global Perspective with Civic and Environmental Issues (3-4 crs)

Prerequisite: Limited to students in the Cosby Honors College

Honors Course in Global Perspectives and Civic, Social and Environmental Responsibility.

Attributes: Honor Course, LE-R2 Global Perspectives, LE-R3 Civic and Environmental Issues

Repeat: Course may be repeated

Grading Basis: A-F Grades Only

HNRS 188 Honors Colloquium in Global Perspective with Integration (3-4 crs)

Prerequisite: Limited to students in the Cosby Honors College

Honors Course in Global Perspectives with Integration.

Attributes: Honor Course, LE-I1 Integration, LE-R2 Global Perspectives

Repeat: Course may be repeated

Grading Basis: A-F Grades Only

HNRS 189 Honors Colloquium in Civic, Social, and Environmental Responsibility (3-4 crs)

Prerequisite: Limited to students in the Cosby Honors College

Honors Course in Civic, Social and Environmental Responsibility

Attributes: Honor Course, LE-R3 Civic and Environmental Issues

Repeat: Course may be repeated

Grading Basis: A-F Grades Only

Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3-4

Lab/Studio Hours: 0

HNRS 324 Honors Colloquium in Social Science with Civic, Social, and Environmental Responsibility (3-4 crs)

Prerequisite: Limited to students in the Cosby Honors College. Minimum sophomore standing.

Honors Course in Social Science and Civic, Social and Environmental Responsibility.

Attributes: Honor Course, LE-K2 Social Sciences, LE-R3 Civic and Environmental Issues

Repeat: Course may be repeated

Grading Basis: A-F Grades Only

HNRS 325 Honors Colloquium in Social Science with Communication (3-4 crs)

Prerequisite: Limited to students in the Cosby Honors College. Minimum sophomore standing.

Honors Course in Social Science and Communication.

Attributes: Honor Course, LE-K2 Social Sciences, LE-S1 Written and Oral Communication

Repeat: Course may be repeated

Grading Basis: A-F Grades Only

HNRS 328 Honors Colloquium in Social Sciences with Integration (3-4 crs)

Prerequisite: Limited to students in the Cosby Honors College. Minimum sophomore standing.

Honors Course in Social Science with Integration.

Attributes: Honor Course, LE-I1 Integration, LE-K2 Social Sciences

Repeat: Course may be repeated

Grading Basis: A-F Grades Only

HNRS 337 Honors Colloquium in Humanities with Creativity (3-4 crs)

Prerequisite: Limited to students in the Cosby Honors College. Minimum sophomore standing.

Honors Course in Humanities and Creativity.

Attributes: Honor Course, LE-K3 Humanities, LE-S3 Creativity

Repeat: Course may be repeated

Grading Basis: A-F Grades Only

HNRS 358 Honors Colloquium in Communication with Integration (3-4 crs)

Prerequisite: Limited to students in the Cosby Honors College. Minimum sophomore standing.

Upper-level Honors Course in Communication with Integration.

Attributes: Honor Course, LE-I1 Integration, LE-S1 Written and Oral Communication

Repeat: Course may be repeated

Grading Basis: A-F Grades Only

HNRS 378 Honors Colloquium in Creativity with Integration (3-4 crs)

Prerequisite: Limited to students in the Cosby Honors College. Minimum sophomore standing.

Honors Course in Creativity with Integration.

Attributes: Honor Course, LE-I1 Integration, LE-S3 Creativity

Repeat: Course may be repeated

Grading Basis: A-F Grades Only

HNRS 381 Honors Colloquium in Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity (1-4 crs)

Prerequisite: Limited to students in the Cosby Honors College. Minimum sophomore standing.

Upper-level Honors Course in Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity.

Attributes: Honor Course, LE-R1 Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity

Repeat: Course may be repeated

Grading Basis: A-F Grades Only

HNRS 389 Honors Colloquium in Civic and Environmental Issues (3-4 crs)

Prerequisite: Limited to students in the Cosby Honors College. Minimum sophomore standing.

Honors Course in Civic, Social and Environmental Responsibility.

Attributes: Honor Course, LE-R3 Civic and Environmental Issues

Repeat: Course may be repeated

Grading Basis: A-F Grades Only

Honors Special Experience Courses

HNRS 275 Honors Study Abroad Experience-Freshmen and Sophomores (1-4 crs)

Prerequisite: Limited to students in the Cosby Honors College. Freshman or sophomore standing.

Consent: Department Consent Required

Honors study abroad experience for freshmen and sophomores.

Attributes: Honor Course, Special Course Fee Required Varies by Term/Section

Repeat: Course may be repeated for a maximum of 8 credits

Grading Basis: A-F Grades Only

HNRS 295 Honors Directed Study-Freshmen and Sophomores (1-4 crs)

Prerequisite: Limited to students in the Cosby Honors College. Freshman or sophomore standing.

Consent: Department Consent Required

Study of a problem or topic in collaboration with a faculty member in the discipline.

Attributes: Honor Course, Special Course Fee Required Varies by Term/Section

Repeat: Course may be repeated for a maximum of 8 credits

Grading Basis: A-F Grades Only

HNRS 298 Honors Internship Experience-Freshmen and Sophomores (1-4 crs)

Prerequisite: Limited to students in the Cosby Honors College. Freshman or sophomore standing.

Consent: Department Consent Required

Honors internship experience for freshmen and sophomores.

Attributes: Honor Course, Special Course Fee Required Varies by Term/Section

Repeat: Course may be repeated for a maximum of 8 credits

Grading Basis: A-F Grades Only

HNRS 299 Honors Independent Study-Freshmen & Sophomores (1-4 crs)

Prerequisite: Limited to students in the Cosby Honors College. Freshman or sophomore standing.

Consent: Department Consent Required

Individual research, scholarly, or creative projects under the supervision of a faculty member.

Attributes: Honor Course, Special Course Fee Required Varies by Term/Section

Repeat: Course may be repeated for a maximum of 8 credits

Grading Basis: A-F Grades Only

HNRS 375 Honors Study Abroad Experience-Juniors (1-4 crs)

Prerequisite: Limited to students in the Cosby Honors College. Junior standing.

Consent: Department Consent Required

Honors study abroad experience for juniors.

Attributes: Honor Course, Special Course Fee Required Varies by Term/Section

Repeat: Course may be repeated for a maximum of 8 credits

Grading Basis: A-F Grades Only

HNRS 395 Honors Directed Study-Juniors (1-4 crs)

Prerequisite: Limited to students in the Cosby Honors College. Junior standing.

Consent: Department Consent Required

Study of a problem or topic in collaboration with a faculty member in the discipline.

Attributes: Honor Course, Special Course Fee Required Varies by Term/Section

Repeat: Course may be repeated for a maximum of 8 credits

Grading Basis: A-F Grades Only

HNRS 398 Honors Internship Experience-Juniors (1-4 crs)

Prerequisite: Limited to students in the Cosby Honors College. Junior standing.

Consent: Department Consent Required

Honors internship experience for juniors.

Attributes: Honor Course, Special Course Fee Required Varies by Term/Section

Repeat: Course may be repeated for a maximum of 8 credits

Grading Basis: A-F Grades Only

HNRS 399 Honors Independent Study-Juniors (1-4 crs)

Prerequisite: Limited to students in the Cosby Honors College. Junior standing.

Consent: Department Consent Required

Individual research, scholarly, or creative projects under the supervision of a faculty member.

Attributes: Honor Course, Special Course Fee Required Varies by Term/Section

Repeat: Course may be repeated for a maximum of 8 credits

Grading Basis: A-F Grades Only

HNRS 475 Honors Study Abroad Experience-Seniors (1-4 crs)

Prerequisite: Limited to students in the Cosby Honors College. Senior standing.

Consent: Department Consent Required

Honors study abroad experience for seniors.

Attributes: Honor Course, Special Course Fee Required Varies by Term/Section

Repeat: Course may be repeated for a maximum of 8 credits

Grading Basis: A-F Grades Only

HNRS 490 Honors Senior Thesis or Project (1-6 crs)

Prerequisite: Limited to students in the Cosby Honors College. Senior standing.

Consent: Department Consent Required

Research and writing/preparation of Honors Senior Thesis or Honors Senior Project.

Attributes: Honor Course, Special Course Fee Required Varies by Term/Section

Repeat: Course may be repeated for a maximum of 6 credits

Grading Basis: A-F Grades Only

HNRS 495 Honors Directed Study-Seniors (1-4 crs)

Prerequisite: Limited to students in the Cosby Honors College. Senior standing.

Consent: Department Consent Required

Study of a problem or topic in collaboration with a faculty member in the discipline.

Attributes: Honor Course, Special Course Fee Required Varies by Term/Section

Repeat: Course may be repeated for a maximum of 8 credits

Grading Basis: A-F Grades Only

HNRS 498 Honors Internship Experience-Seniors (1-4 crs)

Prerequisite: Limited to students in the Cosby Honors College. Senior standing.

Consent: Department Consent Required

Honors internship experience for seniors.

Attributes: Honor Course, Special Course Fee Required Varies by Term/Section

Repeat: Course may be repeated for a maximum of 8 credits

Grading Basis: A-F Grades Only

HNRS 499 Honors Independent Study-Seniors (1-4 crs)

Prerequisite: Limited to students in the Cosby Honors College. Senior standing.

Consent: Department Consent Required

Individual research, scholarly, or creative projects under the supervision of a faculty member.

Attributes: Honor Course, Special Course Fee Required Varies by Term/Section

Repeat: Course may be repeated for a maximum of 8 credits

Grading Basis: A-F Grades Only

Academic Catalog

Mark Stephen Cosby Honors College

The Mark Stephen Cosby Honors College

Honors Seminars

Honors Colloquia

Honors Special Experience Courses

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