The First-Year Honors Program
The First-Year Honors Program (FHP) offers a unique educational opportunity to a limited number of entering first-year students. As an FHP student, you'll have the opportunity to learn in small groups and establish a sense of community with students of similar abilities. At the end of the first year, you may continue your Honors education by joining your college's Honors Program.
As a student in FHP, you will be placed in the First-Year Honors Seminar (HON 1210), a special section of Information Literacy (LIB 1600), and an Honors section of the first-year English course, Written, Oral, Visual, and Electronic Composition (ENGL 2500H). These classes form the academic core of the first-year program.
Honors 1210 - The First-Year Honors Seminar
The First-Year Honors Seminar (HON 1210) meets twice each week in the fall semester. Each section is limited to 10-12 students and is led by two upper-class Honors students. The purpose of the seminar is to help you 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 first-year students, tours of various facilities at Iowa State, and discussions of individual and group educational goals.
Library 1600 - Information Literacy
LIB 1600 is a one credit university course taught by faculty librarians & library staff and required for all undergraduate students. The course examines the use of research libraries and information resources, with an emphasis on finding, evaluating, and using scholarly information. The Honors section of Lib 1600 is 1/2 semester in length. More information can be found on the ISU Library website.
English 2500H - Written, Oral, Visual, & Electronic Composition
The Honors sections of English 2500H emphasize critical reading and communication. Each Honors section is limited to 25 students. The class size allows you to receive individual help from the instructor and also promotes interaction between the class and the instructor.
Joining the University Honors Program (UHP)
Eligibility for FHP Members: Students must have a cumulative ISU GPA of 3.50 or above and at least 48 credits remaining before graduation.
Applying for Membership:
- Complete a Letter of Intent and submit it to the Honors Program Office by the second Friday of the semester. You will be notified of your status via e-mail.
- If accepted, you will automatically become a member of the University Honors Program. Your college will contact you via email with information about a required orientation session. Note: you will need to notify the Honors Program office if you change colleges.