Understanding the Requirements and Opportunities of the UIC Honors College

The University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) Honors College presents a unique academic environment designed to challenge and enrich the educational experiences of high-achieving students. The college provides a range of opportunities, from specialized coursework and research to dedicated facilities and a supportive community. This article will cover the requirements for University Honors, the Honors College curriculum, membership criteria, and the various honor societies available to UIC students.

University Honors at Graduation

University Honors are awarded to graduating students based solely on their UIC grade point average (GPA). This policy emphasizes the importance of academic performance at UIC. The determination is made at the end of the term prior to the graduation term for commencement ceremony purposes. Previously, University Honors considered the overall GPA, including transfer credits. The revised criteria focus exclusively on coursework earned at UIC and establish minimum hours of earned UIC coursework. This shift highlights the significance of the academic experience at UIC and more clearly articulates the intentions and requirements of University Honors. According to data from the Spring 2013 graduating class, the revised policies would result in a greater number of undergraduates receiving Latin Honors.

Honors College Curriculum and Activities

The Honors College curriculum requires students to complete one Honors Activity each term (Fall and Spring) while accumulating Honors Units. Honors Units are earned by completing Honors Activities each semester, culminating in an Honors Capstone project in the senior year. The number of Honors Units required varies based on when a student enters the Honors College, such as a first-year student, a transfer student, or a continuing UIC student.

Each term, Honors College students must complete an honors activity to enrich their experiences at UIC and earn honors units. Students who enter as first-year students must earn 18 Honors units, which is prorated for students who transfer into the Honors College after the first year. First-year students enroll in an interdisciplinary honors core course each semester, which satisfies the honors activity requirement and fulfills university general education requirements.

Beyond the first year, students can choose from honors courses, honors seminars in various disciplines, independent research projects, tutoring in the college’s peer tutoring program, honors projects in regular courses, and academic service learning. All students are required to complete an honors capstone project before graduation.

At the end of the first year, students are assigned an Honors College fellow, a faculty mentor in their major department. These fellows, faculty members interested in working with honors students, advise students on their honors work and provide guidance on majors, curricula, preparation for graduate school, and careers.

Admission and Membership in the Honors College

Incoming first-year students with a strong high school academic record and extracurricular or leadership experiences are encouraged to apply for membership. Transfer students with a transfer GPA of at least 3.40/4.00 and continuing UIC students with a minimum cumulative UIC GPA of 3.40/4.00 who have at least three semesters left before graduation are also encouraged to apply.

Any student in the Honors College whose UIC cumulative GPA falls below 3.15/4.00 or who does not regularly fulfill the honors activity requirement is automatically dismissed from membership. Students with UIC cumulative grade point averages between 3.15 and 3.40 are placed on Honors GPA Notice and have one semester to raise their cumulative average to 3.40. A student who fails to satisfactorily complete the Honors activity by earning at least one Honors unit is placed on Honors Activity Notice and must make up the activity within one semester. Successful completion of an Honors activity is demonstrated by the proper submission of Agreement and Completion Forms. Honors College membership status is noted annually on student transcripts.

Resources and Opportunities for Honors College Students

The Honors College provides merit- and need-based scholarship opportunities for beginning first-year students and transfer students, as well as financial support for honors students pursuing research or international study. The college also offers tuition awards to its continuing student body, distributed based on a combination of merit and need.

Honors College students have access to facilities reserved exclusively for their use, including a computer lab and social and study lounges. They also enjoy events such as student-faculty luncheons, monthly socials, and the annual Honors College Ball.

Read also: UMD Honors Programs

Honors College students produce a college newsletter (Ampersand) and other publications, including an undergraduate literary journal (Red Shoes Review), a pre-health professions journal (Journal of Pre-Health Affiliated Students), and a global issues journal (UIC One World). UIC honors students may take advantage of specially designated honors housing.

Honor Societies at UIC

UIC offers a variety of honor societies across different disciplines, recognizing academic excellence, leadership, and service. These societies provide opportunities for networking, professional development, and community engagement.

Alpha Eta Mu Beta (AEMB)

Alpha Eta Mu Beta (AEMB) is an association of biomedical engineers that recognizes and encourages excellence in biomedical engineering. Membership requires a GPA in the top one-third of the class for seniors, or the top one-fifth of the class for juniors.

Beta Alpha Psi

Beta Alpha Psi is an international scholastic and professional business and financial information fraternity. It recognizes outstanding academic achievements in accounting, finance, and information systems; promotes the study and practice of related professional fields; provides opportunities for self-development and association among members and practicing financial professionals; and encourages ethical, social, and public responsibilities. The UIC Chapter was established in 1994.

Beta Gamma Sigma

Beta Gamma Sigma is the honor society for business programs accredited by AACSB International. Membership is the highest recognition business students can receive in undergraduate or master’s programs accredited by AACSB International. Eligibility requires juniors and seniors to be in the top 10% of their respective classes and have completed at least 30 semester hours. The UIC Chapter was established in 1973.

Delta Phi Alpha

The Delta Phi Alpha National German Honorary Society recognizes excellence in the study of German and provides an incentive for higher scholarship. Qualifications for membership include a minimum of two years of college or university German or the equivalent, a minimum average of B+ or the equivalent in German courses, a minimum cumulative average of B- or the equivalent, and an indication of continued interest in the study of German language and literature. UIC’s chapter was founded in 1968.

Eta Kappa Nu

Eta Kappa Nu is the international honor society for electrical and computer engineers. It stimulates and rewards scholarship and assists members and nonmembers in improving the standards of the profession. Minimum requirements for electrical and computer engineering majors are junior standing with a cumulative GPA in the top quarter, or senior standing with a cumulative GPA in the top third of their classes. Demonstrated community service is also required.

Eta Sigma Phi

Eta Sigma Phi is the national honorary collegiate society for students of Latin and/or Greek. Its purposes are to develop and promote interest in classical study, foster closer fraternal relationships among students interested in classical study, and stimulate interest in the history, art, and literature of ancient Greece and Rome. Active membership is limited to undergraduates enrolled in Latin and/or Greek classes, with an attained grade of not less than B in courses in Latin and Greek, and completion of at least one semester or two quarters.

Gamma Kappa Alpha

Gamma Kappa Alpha is the national Italian honor society for juniors and seniors, recognizing outstanding scholastic performance in Italian language and literature. To be eligible, a student must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75/4.00 and a 3.00/4.00 GPA in all Italian courses taken. The UIC Chapter was granted in 1986.

Golden Key National Honor Society

The Golden Key National Honor Society recognizes and encourages academic excellence in all fields of endeavor. Membership is by invitation only and is offered to full- or part-time students who have maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.30/4.00 or higher and have successfully completed a minimum of 60 hours.

Lambda Pi Eta

Lambda Pi Eta recognizes, fosters, and rewards outstanding scholastic achievement; stimulates interest in the field of communication; promotes and encourages professional development among communication majors; provides an opportunity to discuss and exchange ideas in the field of communication; and establishes and maintains close relationships between faculty and students. Members must have a 3.00/4.00 cumulative GPA; a 3.25/4.00 GPA in Communication courses; 60 credit hours completed overall; 12 credit hours completed in Communication courses; rank in the upper 35% of their class; be full-time students in good standing; and display commitment to the field of Communication.

National Society of Collegiate Scholars (NSCS)

The National Society of Collegiate Scholars (NSCS) recognizes and elevates high achievers. NSCS provides career and graduate school connections, leadership and service opportunities, and gives out a million dollars in scholarships annually. Nominations are sent to first and second-year students with at least a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.40/4.00.

Nu Rho Psi

Nu Rho Psi is the National Honor Society in Neuroscience, founded in 2006 by the Faculty for Undergraduate Neuroscience.

Phi Beta Kappa

Founded in 1776, Phi Beta Kappa is the oldest scholastic honor society in the United States. The UIC chapter charter was granted in 1976. Phi Beta Kappa stresses excellence, broad liberal education, and moral leadership. Elections occur once a year, usually during the week of spring break.

Pi Sigma Alpha

The Mu Alpha Chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha, the National Political Science Honor Society, inducts junior or senior undergraduate majors in political science with a minimum overall GPA of 3.25/4.00 and 3.50 in their major. The chapter was established in 1981.

Pi Tau Sigma

Pi Tau Sigma is the national honor society for mechanical engineers. Its purpose is to encourage and recognize superior scholarship, foster the high ideals of the engineering profession, stimulate interest in coordinated departmental activities, and develop in students of mechanical engineering the attributes for effective leadership. Active membership is open to full-time junior- and senior-level mechanical engineering students with a GPA above 3.25/4.00 and who rank in the top third of their class. The Alpha Sigma chapter at UIC was established in 1999.

Psi Chi

Psi Chi is the National Honor Society in Psychology. It provides recognition for academically strong undergraduate majors and minors in psychology. Neuroscience majors who have completed all requirements for the minor in psychology are also eligible. Membership is open to students who have completed at least 36 hours of undergraduate study, at least 9 semester hours in psychology courses, and whose GPA is 3.40 or higher overall and 3.00 or higher in psychology courses.

Rho Chi Society

The Rho Chi Society, pharmacy’s academic honor society, encourages and recognizes excellence in intellectual achievement and advocates critical inquiry in all aspects of pharmacy. The society invites the top 10% of the P2 class after three semesters of pharmacy coursework.

Sigma Delta Pi

Sigma Delta Pi is the National Collegiate Hispanic Honor Society, designed to honor those students who attain excellence in the study of the Spanish language and the culture of the Spanish-speaking peoples. To be eligible, a student must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75/4.00 and a 3.00 average in all Spanish courses taken, including at least 3 semester hours in Hispanic literature at the junior (third-year) level. The charter was granted to UIC in 1989.

Sigma Pi Sigma

Sigma Pi Sigma exists to honor outstanding scholarship in physics; to encourage interest in physics among students at all levels; to promote an attitude of service of its members towards their fellow students, colleagues, and the public; and to provide a fellowship of persons who have excelled in physics. Undergraduate membership is restricted to those in the upper thirty-three percent of their class.

Sigma Tau Delta

Sigma Tau Delta, International English Honor Society, strives to confer distinction for high achievement in English language and literature, promote interest in literature and English language, and foster all aspects of the discipline. The society was founded in 1924.

Honor Society for Nursing

The stated purpose of this group is to recognize the achievement of scholarship and leadership qualities, to foster high professional standards, encourage creative work, and strengthen individual commitments to the ideals and purposes of the nursing profession. Membership is composed of students, faculty, and alumni of the College of Nursing chosen on the basis of demonstrated scholarship, professional potential, and/or marked achievement in the field of nursing.

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