University Honors Program

Prospective Students

FHP students enjoy touring unique places all over campus.

The First-Year Honors Program (FHP) offers a unique educational opportunity for a limited number of entering First-Year students. We emphasize learning in small group, and you'll find a sense of community among students with similar abilities. At the end of the First-Year year, many students choose to continue their honors education by joining their college Honors Program.

Students in FHP are automatically placed in an Honors section of First-Year English (Engl 250H), a special section of Library 160, and a First-Year Honors Seminar. These two classes are required of all students in the FHP, and they form the academic core of the program.

The Honors sections of First-Year English (English 250H) emphasize critical reading and writing. Students write papers based on readings and a general topic selected by the instructor of each section. Each Honors section is limited to 25 students. The small class size allows students to receive individual help from the instructor and also promotes interaction between the class and the instructor. Students who receive a C or better in English 250H will have satisfied the University's First-Year English requirement.
 

FHP Leaders prepare for their HON 121 seminar.

The First-Year Honors Seminar (HON 121H) meets twice each week. Each section is limited to 10-12 First-Year Honors students and is led by two upper-class Honors students. The purpose of the seminar is to help students become familiar with Iowa State, the Honors Program, and other Honors students. The seminar includes an explanation of university policies and procedures and their effects on freshmen, tours of various facilities at Iowa State, and discussions of individual and group educational goals.