Program Overview

Program Course Delivery
Honors Program - Supplemental Program On-Campus & Online

Online program details

Push your limits in our honors program

The University of Minnesota Crookston Honors Program was developed to inspire and transform students’ writing, critical thinking, and leadership skills. Students will be nurtured and challenged to explore ideas, assess values, and develop leadership skills. Honors coursework will address the diverse and global atmosphere in which we live. In addition, students in the Honors Program will have the opportunity for various social outings outside of the normal campus experience.

Who is eligible?

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The Honors Program is open to incoming freshman students by invitation after review by the Honors committee. Selection is based on several factors that include but are not limited to the following: high school rank, grade point average, rigor of high school coursework, and SAT/ACT scores. Other academically successful students (e.g., transfer or other advanced students, Alpha Lambda Delta inductees) are also welcome to join the program.

The Honors Program is a program of study for high-achieving on-campus students. Incoming first-year students with an ACT of 28 or higher and a high school GPA of 3.5 or higher are invited to join the program. Full-time, degree-seeking, on-campus students may also gain admission to the Honors Program after completing one or more semesters of coursework (i.e. at least twelve credits) with a college GPA of at least 3.3. Transfer students are eligible for the Honors Program after transferring in at least 30 college credits with a college GPA of at least 3.3. Students transferring credits from within the University of Minnesota system are eligible for the Honors Program after transferring in at least 30 credits with a GPA of at least 3.3. Other talented students may be invited to the program based on their leadership, research/creative work, and/or commitment to equity and diversity.

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Completion of the Honors Program requires 15 credits including nine credits of required courses (see the draft of proposed curriculum below). Students must achieve an overall college GPA of at least 3.3 and complete at least 60 credits at the University of Minnesota Crookston in order to be recognized as an Honors Program graduate. Students transferring credits from within the University of Minnesota system must complete at least 30 credits at the University of Minnesota Crookston and an additional 40 credits within the University of Minnesota system. These students must achieve a final GPA of at least 3.3 in all University of Minnesota coursework in order to complete the UMC Honors Program. Students who complete the Honors Program will be recognized in the Commencement Program, and completion of the Honors Program will be noted on the student's official transcript. Honors students have access to the Honors Lounge, located in Evergreen Hall.

Students wishing to enroll in an Honors course must be admitted to the Honors Program. If open seats in an Honors course remain, other students may register for the course with instructor permission and a recommendation from the student's advisor.

Honors coursework is interdisciplinary and emphasizes critical thinking, leadership, and writing, in a global context. The Honors Program requires students to produce original research, scholarship, and/or creative work via the required Honors Thesis. Students may also use Undergraduate Research courses as Honors Program electives. The Honors Program encourages Study Abroad; although Study Abroad is not required, one or more Study Abroad courses will count toward the required 15 credits.

Please note, Honors Program admission decisions are University of Minnesota campus-specific. Students who transfer between campuses and wish to remain in an honors program would need to apply and be admitted to the honors program at the transferring institution (where applicable).

Honors Program Courses

Program Description

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  • The University of Minnesota Honors Program offers leadership opportunities, engagements, and experiences to enhance your academic, personal, and professional profile.
  • The program requires 15 credits based on when students enter the program. The final requirements include an honors proposal course that culminates in an honors essay, research, or creative project that requires a public defense.
  • The Honors Program is open to incoming freshman students by invitation after review by the Honors committee. Other academically successful students are also welcome to join. Learn more about eligibility.
  • Each semester, the Honors Program sponsors several Honors Excursions, which are free field trips or other extra-curricular opportunities that support the mission of the U of M Crookston Honors Program.
  • The Honors Program often sponsors or co-sponsors speakers and other campus events.

Student Experiences

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Average Cost After Aid

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$13,436

Average amount of grants & scholarships received (2022-2023 data)

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$12,894

Average net price after grants &
scholarships (2021-2022 data)

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$22,883

Average TOTAL student loan debt after
graduation (2022-2023)

Scholarship and Funding Options

The University of Minnesota Crookston provides quick and easy access to over $1 million worth of scholarship opportunities for new and returning students!

Your Future Professors

Leslie Lekatz
Associate Professor
Craig Miller
Lecturer
Eddie Walker II
Associate Professor, Honors Program Coordinator

What is Campus Life Like?

Residential Life

University of Minnesota Crookston's residence halls are ranked #1 public college dorms in Minnesota by Niche. The residential halls are clean, safe, spacious and modern. There is a mix of traditional style rooms, suites, and apartments available on-campus which include amenities such as ensuite bathrooms, walk-closets, and full size kitchens with all major appliances. There are also beautiful common spaces in every residential building that are great places to hangout, play games, study, or relax. Schedule a tour to see for yourself why they're ranked #1!

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Collage of all the to-go options available at the Eagle's Nest
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A male and female students sitting in a booth outside Regal's grill with their burgers and sandwiches, fries and laptops talking
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