Northern Illinois Honors Student Handbook

NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY

HONORS STUDENT HANDBOOK

DIRECTOR’S WELCOME

Dear Honors students,

We hope you will find this handbook a useful guide as you make your way through our University Honors Program. It goes without saying that this handbook does not take the place of advising check-ins and staying in touch with our whole Honors team.

We never want you to feel overwhelmed by requirements. The design of our program is intended to benefit you — to help you grow and become the graduate you want to be. In addition to staying on top of your requirements, do not forget to check in regarding all the opportunities that we advertise every week. You will find information about scholarships, career development paths, Honors spring break trips, graduate school preparation and so much more.

Congratulations on choosing our enriching and rewarding program! We are so pleased to have you on board. Please never hesitate to ask me or any of our team for help and guidance along the way.

Sincerely,

PROGRAM OUTCOMES

Through engagement and interdisciplinarity, our University Honors Program transcends educational boundaries so that you can broaden your horizons and achieve your goals.

As a program representing undergraduate students in every college at NIU, our University Honors Program’s role is to mentor and connect you with impactful experiences so you graduate with the ability to adapt to life’s ever-changing conditions.

Program Benefits

As a member of our University Honors Program you receive many exclusive benefits which include:

• Priority registration for classes.

• Scholarships and fellowships.

• Honors House Living-learning Community in Fanny Ruth Patterson Complex.

• Access to our Honors lounge and computer lab with free printing.

• Honors Preferred program. (Discount program with local businesses.)

• Monthly activities and events.

• Admission partnerships with select NIU graduate programs.

HONORS CURRICULUM

Our University Honors Program offers you interesting courses that build your intellectual curiosity while fostering a robust Honors community. Below are the different types of Honors courses offered.

Minisection

A select number of seats for University Honors Program students within a larger regular section of a course. University Honors Program students enrolled in a minisection will be asked to complete course requirements that are qualitatively different than what is required of students who are regularly enrolled.

Honors Capstone

This class involves working one-on-one with a qualified faculty member in your area of interest to produce an excellent academic project, the outcome of which matches the expected work from a regular three-credit-hour University Honors course.

Honors Seminar

Honors seminars are small classes designed to offer special topics to our Honors students without prerequisites. This is a great way to explore topics outside your academic discipline.

In-course Contract

An in-course contract is an individualized project undertaken in a non-Honors class to allow that class to fulfill Honors requirements. This provides you with

HONORS SENIOR CAPSTONE

The University Honors senior capstone is the final experience for students graduating with Full University Honors (it is optional for Associate University Honors).

This project involves working one-on-one with a qualified faculty member in your area of interest to produce an excellent academic project, the outcome of which matches the expected work from a regular three-credit-hour University Honors course.

This requirement can be completed through a variety of different experiences. Examples of senior capstone work include:

- Performing research resulting in a manuscript submission or a formal research essay.

- Constructing an evidence-based manual to improve quality of life, performance, social functioning, etc. for a specific segment of the population.

- Collecting an oral history of an event, person, etc. with a formal analysis.

- Creating a performance or exhibition with a formal analysis.

- Forming a company or nonprofit and evaluate its social impact.

- Completing a specific component of a design project with a formal analysis of impact to larger project and group.

- Generating a report of pedagogical techniques, financial trends and/or research advances in a specific domain.

HONORS SENIOR CAPSTONE

During the second semester of your junior year, you must make an appointment with your advisor or attend a capstone information session. This session will inform you about the capstone experience and give you the opportunity to ask questions. We also recommend checking with your major department for any additional requirements

In order to receive credit for completion of the Senior Honors Capstone, you must present your capstone project. Presentations may include department or college showcases or colloquia; local, regional or national conferences; the Conference on Undergraduate Research and Engagement (CURE); or Honors Day celebration.

HONORS ENGAGED

Honors Engaged gives you the opportunity to utilize skills and concepts learned in the classroom while completing hands-on experiences. By participating, you will gain the tools and skill sets employers and graduate programs are looking for in applicants. Each experience should be meaningful and sustained, and the exact parameters of these standards might vary by category. We encourage you to explore multiple categories, but we value the development of expertise and depth as well as breadth.

Steps to Complete an Honors Engaged Experience:

• Brainstorm ideas or check out Suitable for engaged options. app.suitable.co.

• Complete your Honors Engaged experience.

• Submit for credit on Suitable. Log in and find your experience under “Achievements.” Follow the prompts for information required and click on “Complete Task.”

HONORS ENGAGED

Honors Engaged Competency Areas:

• Research, Scholarship and Creative Work.

• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI).

• Leadership.

• Teamwork.

• Career and Self-development.

• Communication Skills.

• Civic and Global Engagement.

Get started earning credit toward your Honors Engaged requirement with some of these exciting opportunities.

• Forage Job Simulations.

• Professional Development Boot Camp.

• Research Rookies.

• Honors Connect.

• Honors Spring Break Trip.

HONORS PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

We offer two levels of Honors for you to pursue — Associate University Honors or Full University Honors. You can choose the appropriate level and you can switch levels at any time.

Consult with your Honors advisor for any level changes.

Full University Honors

Curricular Requirements:

• Honors Capstone Course.

• Honors Seminar Course.

• Four additional Honors Courses. (Three Honors courses must be outside your major.)

Honors Engaged:

• Four Honors Engaged learning experiences are required.

Electives:

• Two Honors electives required.

• Electives can be earned via additional Honors coursework or Honors Engaged experiences.

To be eligible for Honors curricular credit, each course must be at least three credit hours and you must earn a B- or better.

HONORS PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

Associate University Honors

Curricular Requirements:

- Three Honors courses are required.

- One course must be an Honors seminar.

- Honors Capstone is optional.

- One Honors course must be outside your major.

Honors Engaged:

- Two Honors Engaged learning experiences are required.

Electives:

- One Honors elective required.

- Electives can be earned via additional Honors coursework or Honors Engaged experiences.

To be eligible for Honors curricular credit, each course must be at least three credit hours and you must earn a B- or better.

Additional Program Expectations

As a member of the University Honors Program, you are required to maintain a cumulative NIU GPA of 3.3 or higher to remain in good standing in our program. Additionally, you must actively participate in our program either through taking Honors courses or completing engaged experiences.

SCHOLARSHIPS AND FELLOWSHIPS

As a University Honors student, you have access to exclusive scholarships and fellowships. We award approximately $100,000 each year which serves more than 80 Honors students. These opportunities are exclusively for our Honors Program students.

How to Apply

All applications are available in MyScholarships. Applications for the subsequent academic year close Jan. 31.

Eligibility

Scholarship or tuition waiver awards are based on the following criteria:

- A complete application form, including the required 500-word essay.

- Must be a current University Honors Program student in good academic standing at the time of application.

- Must be a full-time, degree-seeking undergraduate student at the time of application.

- Must meet any additional award-specific criteria.

ACADEMIC ADVISING

As a member of our University Honors Program, you have access to professional advisors who will guide you to successful completion of our program. In addition, you also have peer mentors and student advisors available with our Honors fellows.

Meeting with your Honors Program advisor is required every semester. We suggest that you meet with your academic advisor first and then schedule an appointment with your Honors advisor. Your Honors advisor will work with you to help schedule your Honors classes and plan out Honors Engaged experiences.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

What is the process for living in Honors House?

To be eligible for residence in Honors House, you must apply for admission and be accepted into the University Honors Program. Then you can log in to MyHousing and follow the instructions for selecting a new room and meal plan.

How do I register for Honors classes?

You can check out the current list of Honors classes on our website. Honors classes have an “H” or an “HON” in the section number and you will look for that when selecting a class in MyNIU.

What if I can’t find any Honors classes that work with my schedule?

Don’t forget you can do an in-course contract to earn a credit for an Honors class, or you can complete an Honors Engaged experience.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Do I have to take an Honors class every semester?

No. There might be a semester where you do not have to earn a credit by taking an Honors class. Check with your Honors advisor to confirm requirements.

How can I check my progress in the Honors Program?

You can log in to MyNIU and click on the Academic Progress tile. You will be able to view your items completed toward either Full University Honors or Associate University Honors.

As a transfer student, can I get credit for my Honors classes taken at another institution?

Yes. You can receive credit toward Full University Honors or Associate University Honors. Talk to your Honors advisor about transferring credit.

Phone: 815-753-0694

Email: honors@niu.edu

For more information about our University Honors Program, please check out our website at niu.edu/honors

Follow us on Facebook: UnivHonorsNIU/ and Twitter @UnivHonorsNIU.