Benefits
Enrollment in Honors courses and Honors sections of courses
Honors courses offer alternatives to the large lecture classes and are
limited in enrollment to ensure a size of 15-25. The classes usually present some basic material, but
concentrate on exploration of new ideas and integration of concepts. In most cases, Honors courses may be used
to fulfill curriculum requirements.
Hear from current Honors students about the benefits of FHP.
(Requires
Quicktime 7.0 or later)
Enrollment in Honors seminars
Honors seminars are offered on a Satisfactory/Fail basis, are one or
two credits and are limited to 15 students. They provide the opportunity for students to explore special
interest topics not normally included in their major. Students are usually required to complete a paper, read
background material and/or present a report. Directions for seminar registration are included in
Honors News & Notes, the newsletter of the Honors Program.
Taking a regular course for Honors credit
Honors students may take a regularly offered course on an independent basis and receive Honors credit. The
student and instructor must agree in advance that the student's work will be sufficiently different from the
typical student's work in the class. This may involve the student having weekly conferences with the instructor
over special material, doing a special project, or any other arrangement agreed upon by the student and the
instructor. Before this option is taken, students must complete the Honors Credit request form.
Priority scheduling
Members of the Honors Program are given priority scheduling for the 1st day of registration for the classification ahead of their projected status. For example, if you are a "projected sophomore", your registration start date will be the 1st day for juniors. This helps to ensure that Honors students will be able to
complete their individualized academic programs.
Curriculum planning
In some curricula, alternative courses may be substituted for required ones with approval of the student's college
Honors committee.
Computer facilities
Honors students have access to computer facilities located in the Honors Program space. There are two G4
Macintoshes and eight Dell computers with Ethernet connections networked to a laser printer, which are reserved
solely for Honors students’ use. The Jischke Honors Building also provides wireless capabilities to allow students
to use their personal laptops to access the Internet within the building.
Wingspread Conferences
Honors students may apply to be selected as a Wingspread Fellow to attend conferences held in Racine, Wisconsin.
These conferences cover a variety of topics on regional, national and international subjects. Honors students
selected as Wingspread Fellows have all expenses incurred in attending the conferences paid by the Wingspread
Foundation. Listings of current conferences are available in
Honors News & Notes.
Inclusion in all Honors Program sponsored events
Honors students receive Honors News & Notes, the Honors Program newsletter,
and may participate in state, national and regional conferences and Honors semesters. Additionally, Honors students are invited to participate in the Honors Student Board events.
Honors students chow down at an Honors Student Board sponsored picnic.
Membership on Honors Student Board and Honors committees
All members of the Honors Program are considered members of the Honors Student Board. The Honors Student Board
promotes interaction among Honors students through social activities, intramurals, and conferences and also serves
as the student voice of the Honors Program. Honors students are also eligible to serve on the
college and university Honors committees. More information on how to participate on the student board and Honors
committees is available in the Jischke Honors Building.
Honors Housing Options
Honors Housing options provide students with a special experience as it fuses residence hall living with Honors
learning, providing a stimulating intellectual and social atmosphere. Honors Housing residents enjoy special
opportunities for informal interaction with faculty at special meals and at informal discussions and programs.
The Honors Houses also offer a smoke free, co-educational environment. Honors Clusters (co-ed and single-sex
options) are comprised of a group of Honors students on a traditional residence hall floor.
A Freshman Honors Seminar group poses in front of a CyRide bus.
Use of the Jischke Honors Building
Jischke Honors Building is open to the Honors students for the purpose of studying and interacting with other
Honors students. Honors students can apply for an access card which allow them access to the building 24 hours a day,
7 days a week, to provide them with a comfortable study environment on central campus.
Extended loan priveleges at the Parks Library
Honors students may check out books from the Library for up to eight months rather than the
standard two weeks. Members who wish to receive extended loan privileges should check with the Circulation Desk
at the Parks Library.
Research grants in sponsorship of Honors projects
Members of the Honors Program are encouraged to apply for money to support their Honors projects. Grant
applications and a criteria sheet for funding are available online or in the Honors Office. The University Honors Program Grant has a maximum amount of $750 per student. Applications may be submitted throughout the year.
The Stewart Research Award has a maximum amount of $600 per student, preferences work of publishable quality,
and is allocated during the fall semester. This award can be given to a student for a project that is not the
student’s Honors Project.
All the above opportunities can be further explained by the Honors Program Staff by calling (515) 294-4371
or via email at honors@iastate.edu. Thank you!
