Why Honors?
Nebraska Honors, now in its fourth decade, enhances your college experience by providing a challenging and creative academic program for the most talented and highly-motivated students in Nebraska and across the nation. The program encompasses a comprehensive college experience, both in the classroom and in the larger campus community.
The benefits include:
- Learn in smaller class sizes
- Participate in seminars on special topics offered only to Honors students
- Customize your education through Honors course contracts and your Honors Senior Project
- Connect with research opportunities
- Build relationships with faculty members who are top teachers and researchers, as early as your first semester in college
- Belong to a community of students who are highly motivated and enjoy intellectual challenges
- Develop leadership skills through Honors student organizations
- Earn Honors credit for Education Abroad, Internship, Research, and Teaching/Mentoring experiences
- Live and learn in an Honors housing community alongside other Honors students
A Message from Dr. Tyler White, Honors Faculty Director
Welcome, and thank you for your interest in the University Honors Program! The Honors Program supports a growing and thriving community of highly talented undergraduates who seek to challenge themselves above and beyond the normal college curriculum. Faculty throughout UNL teach Honors courses on our behalf, providing you with an enhanced learning experience through challenging discussion and coursework. The small class size increases your access to distinguished faculty and top researchers who truly enjoy working with students, and will often lead to continued interactions and opportunities.
The University Honors Program is home to students across all majors and colleges at UNL. It also houses two specialty programs: the Nebraska Business Honors Academy and the Jeffrey S. Raikes School of Computer Science and Management. Students in these programs are also members of the University Honors Program and enjoy the same benefits as other Nebraska Honors students.
I encourage you to visit us to discuss the benefits of being part of the University Honors Program. I look forward to meeting you!
Tyler R. White
Faculty Director
University Honors Program
Application Instructions
Prospective freshmen students must apply to the University prior to accessing the Honors Program application. The Honors Program application (which includes the applications for the College of Business Honors Academy and the Raikes School) can be accessed in MyRED once the student has submitted the UNL university application. We encourage students to apply by the Priority Deadline.
Application Steps and Tips for Prospective Freshmen
Applications from current, on-campus UNL students and students transferring to UNL from another school are reviewed at the end of the semester in which they are submitted to allow receipt of the most recent grades. On-Campus and Transfer applicants must have a minimum 3.50 college GPA.
All Honors Program students, including transfer students and those who apply after arriving on campus, are expected to complete 22 hours of Honors credit and a research-based thesis or creative project in order to graduate from the Honors Program. As a result, students are encouraged to apply as early as possible, and should typically allow at least two years to complete the program requirements prior to graduation.
Credentials
Honors Program applications undergo a comprehensive review. Most successful candidates for the University Honors Program present one or more of the following credentials:
- A record of academic excellence
- A desire to engage in rigorous and challenging courses
- Evidence of involvement and leadership in school and community activities
- The maturity necessary to succeed at a higher level in college
Deadlines
| For first-year students | Application+Unofficial Transcript received by | Notification by |
|---|---|---|
| Early notification deadline | November 15 | December 16 |
| Honors Application deadline | March 7 | March 31 |
| For Transfer or Current UNL students | Application received by | Notification by |
|---|---|---|
| Fall Applicants | December 10 | January 10 |
| Spring Applicants | May 10 | June 10 |
Honors Housing
Knoll Residential Center is the home of the University Honors Program on campus, offering both double-bedroom and single-bedroom suites. The Knoll Honors community has many quiet study rooms and lounge spaces for socializing. The Nebraska Honors offices are located within this building, and the majority of Honors seminars take place in classrooms located within the Knoll Residential Center. All Honors students, regardless of where they live, have 24-hour access to the academic portions of Knoll.
