University Honors Program and Courses

University Honors Program

The University Honors Program cultivates a challenging and 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 Honors Program at UW-Eau Claire offers a rigorous and evolving curriculum that assists students in the pursuit of creativity, innovation, discovery, and engagement across disciplines. Honors students often have significant responsibility for the design and execution of learning activities within their honors coursework, and many honors students engage in undergraduate research that is uniquely matched to their experiences, skills, and longer-term goals. The program offers an enhanced education, enabling students to integrate honors liberal education courses, honors interdisciplinary seminars, honors work in their major and minor programs, 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 Program 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 University Honors Program. For details about current admissions policies, please consult the Honors Program website. There are several ways to gain admission to the University Honors Program. (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 Program 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 Program 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 Honors Program 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 Honors Program requirements.

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

  1. Attainment of a resident and total GPA of at least 3.50.
  2. Completion of a one-credit first-year seminar, HNRS 100, or an honors first-year experience course.
  3. Completion of the 24-credit honors distribution requirement, in one of the two manners listed below (3a or 3b), 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 the University Honors Program.
    1. Completion of at least 24 credits of honors coursework.
    2. Completion of at least 21 credits of honors coursework and either HNRS 410 or HNRS 420.
  4. Completion of HNRS 400 (one credit).

Honors Program 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 fulfill their 24-credit or 21-credit honors distribution requirement, honors students may earn up to 9 flexible credits, selected from the following options: honors contracts, departmental honors, up to 3 credits of student-faculty collaborative research, and completion of certain courses required for education majors and/or for McNair Scholars. 

An appropriate designation will be placed on a student’s record upon completion of all Honors Program 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 Honors Program website

Department or College Honors. Twenty-five 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 University Honors Program requirements.

For information on departmental honors programs, consult department descriptions in this catalog or the University Honors Program website.

Honors Seminars

HNRS 100 First-Year Honors Seminar (1 cr)

Prerequisite: Limited to students in the University Honors Program.

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 University Honors Program 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 University Honors Program. 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: GE IV Humanities, 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, HNRS 400, or concurrent enrollment in HNRS 400. Minimum junior standing. Limited to students in the University Honors Program. With permission from the Honors Director, credit may be earned in both HNRS 410 and HNRS 420.

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: GE IV Humanities, Honor Course, Service-Learning, Full 30 Hours, 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 University Honors Program. With permission from the Director of the University Honors Program, credit may be earned in both HNRS 410 and HNRS 420.

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: GE III Social Science, Honor Course, Service-Learning, Full 30 Hours, 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 University Honors Program

Honors Course in Natural Science with Integration.

Attributes: Cultural Diversity Variable, GE II Natural Sciences, Honor Course, LE-I1 Integration, LE-K1 Natural Sciences, Service-Learning Variable

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 University Honors Program

Honors Course in Social Science.

Attributes: Cultural Diversity Variable, GE III Social Science, Honor Course, LE-K2 Social Sciences, Service-Learning Variable

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 University Honors Program

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

Attributes: GE IIIG Social Science-Interdisciplinary Study, 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 University Honors Program

Lower-level Honors course is social science with creativity.

Attributes: GE IIIG Social Science-Interdisciplinary Study, Honor Course, LE-K2 Social Sciences, LE-S3 Creativity

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 University Honors Program

Honors Course in Humanities and Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity.

Attributes: GE IVE Humanities-Interdisciplinary Studies, 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 University Honors Program.

Honors Course in Humanities with Global Perspective.

Attributes: GE IV Humanities, Honor Course, LE-K3 Humanities, LE-R2 Global Perspectives, Service-Learning Variable

Repeat: Course may be repeated

Grading Basis: A-F Grades Only

Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3-4

Lab/Studio Hours: 0

HNRS 141 Honors Colloquium (3-4 crs)

Prerequisite: Limited to students in the University Honors Program

Honors Course in the Arts.

Attributes: Cultural Diversity Variable, GE IV Humanities, Honor Course, LE-K4 Fine Arts, Service-Learning Variable

Repeat: Course may be repeated

Grading Basis: A-F Grades Only

HNRS 171 Honors Colloquium (3-4 crs)

Prerequisite: Limited to students in the University Honors Program

Honors Course in creativity.

Attributes: Cultural Diversity Variable, Honor Course, LE-S3 Creativity, Service-Learning Variable

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 University Honors Program

Honors Course in Civic, Social and Environmental Responsibility

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

Repeat: Course may be repeated

Grading Basis: A-F Grades Only

Lecture/Discussion Hours: 3-4

Lab/Studio Hours: 0

HNRS 129 Honors Colloquium (3-4 crs)

Prerequisite: Limited to students in the University Honors Program

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

Attributes: Cultural Diversity Variable, GE III Social Science, Honor Course, LE-DDIV Design for Diversity, LE-K2 Social Sciences, LE-R1 Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity, Service-Learning Variable

Repeat: Course may be repeated

Grading Basis: A-F Grades Only

HNRS 138 Honors Colloquium (3-4 crs)

Prerequisite: Limited to students in the University Honors Program

Honors Course in Humanities with Integration.

Attributes: Cultural Diversity Variable, GE IV Humanities, Honor Course, LE-I1 Integration, LE-K3 Humanities, Service-Learning Variable

Repeat: Course may be repeated

Grading Basis: A-F Grades Only

HNRS 142 Honors Colloquium (3-4 crs)

Prerequisite: Limited to students in the University Honors Program

Honors Course in Arts and Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity.

Attributes: Cultural Diversity Variable, GE IVE Humanities-Interdisciplinary Studies, Honor Course, LE-K4 Fine Arts, LE-R1 Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity, Service-Learning Variable

Repeat: Course may be repeated

Grading Basis: A-F Grades Only

HNRS 147 Honors Colloquium (3-4 crs)

Prerequisite: Limited to students in the University Honors Program

Honors Course in Arts and Creativity.

Attributes: Cultural Diversity Variable, GE IV Humanities, Honor Course, LE-K4 Fine Arts, LE-S3 Creativity, Service-Learning Variable

Repeat: Course may be repeated

Grading Basis: A-F Grades Only

HNRS 151 Honors Colloquium (3-4 crs)

Prerequisite: Limited to students in the University Honors Program

Honors Course in Communication.

Attributes: Cultural Diversity Variable, GE IA Communication-Language Arts, Honor Course, LE-S1 Written and Oral Communication, Service-Learning Variable

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 University Honors Program

Honors Course in Communication with Integration.

Attributes: Cultural Diversity Variable, GE III Social Science, Honor Course, LE-I1 Integration, LE-S1 Written and Oral Communication, Service-Learning Variable

Repeat: Course may be repeated

Grading Basis: A-F Grades Only

HNRS 172 Honors Colloquium (3-4 crs)

Prerequisite: Limited to students in the University Honors Program

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

Attributes: Cultural Diversity Variable, GE IV Humanities, Honor Course, LE-R1 Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity, LE-S3 Creativity, Service-Learning Variable

Repeat: Course may be repeated

Grading Basis: A-F Grades Only

HNRS 187 Honors Colloquium (3-4 crs)

Prerequisite: Limited to students in the University Honors Program

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

Attributes: Cultural Diversity Variable, GE III Social Science, Honor Course, LE-R2 Global Perspectives, LE-R3 Civic and Environmental Issues, Service-Learning Variable

Repeat: Course may be repeated

Grading Basis: A-F Grades Only

HNRS 188 Honors Colloquium (3-4 crs)

Prerequisite: Limited to students in the University Honors Program

Honors Course in Global Perspectives with Integration.

Attributes: Cultural Diversity Variable, GE V University Wide, Honor Course, LE-I1 Integration, LE-R2 Global Perspectives, Service-Learning Variable

Repeat: Course may be repeated

Grading Basis: A-F Grades Only

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

Prerequisite: Limited to students in the University Honors Program. Minimum sophomore standing.

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

Attributes: Cultural Diversity Variable, GE III Social Science, Honor Course, LE-K2 Social Sciences, LE-R3 Civic and Environmental Issues, Service-Learning Variable

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 University Honors Program. Minimum sophomore standing.

Honors Course in Social Science and Communication.

Attributes: Cultural Diversity Variable, GE III Social Science, Honor Course, LE-K2 Social Sciences, LE-S1 Written and Oral Communication, Service-Learning Variable

Repeat: Course may be repeated

Grading Basis: A-F Grades Only

HNRS 328 Honors Colloquium (3-4 crs)

Prerequisite: Limited to students in the University Honors Program. Minimum sophomore standing.

Honors Course in Social Science with Integration.

Attributes: Cultural Diversity Variable, GE III Social Science, Honor Course, LE-I1 Integration, LE-K2 Social Sciences, Service-Learning Variable

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 University Honors Program. Minimum sophomore standing.

Honors Course in Humanities and Creativity.

Attributes: Cultural Diversity Variable, GE IV Humanities, Honor Course, LE-K3 Humanities, LE-S3 Creativity, Service-Learning Variable

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 University Honors Program. Minimum sophomore standing.

Upper-level Honors Course in Communication with Integration.

Attributes: Cultural Diversity Variable, GE IA Communication-Language Arts, Honor Course, LE-I1 Integration, LE-S1 Written and Oral Communication, Service-Learning Variable

Repeat: Course may be repeated

Grading Basis: A-F Grades Only

HNRS 378 Honors Colloquium (3-4 crs)

Prerequisite: Limited to students in the University Honors program. Minimum sophomore standing.

Honors Course in Creativity with Integration.

Attributes: Cultural Diversity Variable, GE IV Humanities, Honor Course, LE-I1 Integration, LE-S3 Creativity, Service-Learning Variable

Repeat: Course may be repeated

Grading Basis: A-F Grades Only

HNRS 381 Honors Colloquium (1-4 crs)

Prerequisite: Limited to students in the University Honors program. Minimum sophomore standing.

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

Attributes: Cultural Diversity Variable, Honor Course, LE-R1 Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity, Service-Learning Variable

Repeat: Course may be repeated

Grading Basis: A-F Grades Only

HNRS 389 Honors Colloquium (3-4 crs)

Prerequisite: Limited to students in the University Honors program. Minimum sophomore standing.

Honors Course in Civic, Social and Environmental Responsibility.

Attributes: Cultural Diversity Variable, Honor Course, LE-R3 Civic and Environmental Issues, Service-Learning Variable

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 University Honors Program. 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 University Honors Program. 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 University Honors Program. 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 University Honors Program. 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 University Honors Program. 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 University Honors Program. 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 University Honors Program. 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 University Honors Program. 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 University Honors Program. 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 University Honors Program. 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 University Honors Program. 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 University Honors Program. 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 University Honors Program. 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