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Honors Program

Norwich University’s Honors Program supports an enriched academic experience for selected outstanding students.

The program provides a framework for exploration of the complexity of the world’s most challenging problems through an applied experiential learning process, offering an academic experience encompassing the following core elements:

  • Customized opportunities for enhanced academic growth
  • Learning community of like-minded peers
  • One-on-one faculty mentorship over the student’s tenure in the Honors Program
  • Individualized, hands-on research experience
  • Prestigious Honors designation upon graduation

What is the Honors Program?

The mission of the Honors Program is to support an enriched university experience for highly motivated students with demonstrated academic abilities and strong interests in research, service, and leadership.

  • Our approach is to challenge students to explore the complexity of the modern world’s problems through an interdisciplinary approach.
  • Our method centers on a hands-on experiential learning process that demands asking questions, conceiving ideas, creating an execution plan, and acting on it.

The Honors Program is guided by the mission of Norwich University: “To give our youth an education that shall be American in character—to enable them to act as well as to think—to execute as well as to conceive—‘to tolerate all opinions when reason is left free to combat them’—to make moral, patriotic, efficient, and useful citizens, and to qualify them for all those high responsibilities resting upon a citizen of this free republic.”

During their tenure at the University, Honors Students will be required to participate in specially designed courses that prepare them to conduct independent research under the oversight of a faculty mentor. This experience will culminate in the completion and defense of an honors thesis/project, the capstone requirement for all honors graduates. Honors students will be able to take advantage of special opportunities on and off campus, to enhance their undergraduate education and prepare for graduate work and professional careers.

This merit-based program is highly selective. Invitations to participate will be made to no more than 25 students per entering class, with a total enrollment not exceeding 100 students.

Related

Website

Undergraduate Research Program

Honors Program Details & Requirements

Participation in the Honors Program is a benefit extended to the University’s most accomplished young scholars. The program provides an opportunity for a student to be involved in the scholarly community of professors and like-minded peers from day one. Students will receive personalized attention to their academic interests and pursuits, and the opportunity to tailor their educational experience to future goals. The privileges also include participation in Honors only events, programs and cultural outings.

Participation in the Honors Program requires serious academic commitments from students in addition to exemplary ethical conduct. Specific requirements to maintain participation in Honors Program include the following:

  • Maintain an overall GPA of 3.2 or higher
  • Complete Honors coursework as outlined below
  • HN 101, an Introductory Honors Seminar. The seminar should be completed during the first year by students admitted to the Program as Freshmen, and in the second year by existing NU Student Applicants
  • Honors Contract Course during the second year
  • HN 301, Research Methods Seminar during the Fall semester of the third year in the Program
  • During the third year in the program prepare a research proposal for Senior Honors Thesis/Project that will be reviewed by the Honors Council
  • Complete Senior Honors Thesis based on the approved proposal during the fourth year in the Program
  • Successfully defend Senior Thesis and present the results at the appropriate academic forum
  • Participate in specified Honors Events and Colloquia
  • Demonstrate conduct befitting an Honors Student

How can I apply?

Entering First-Year Students

Entering first-year students that rank in the top 5 percent of applications to Norwich University will be invited to apply to the program. If you are selected, then you will receive a personal invitation that will include full information on the application process. The Honors Program application packet consists of:

  • Two letters of recommendation from faculty familiar with the student’s academic profile
  • A resume outlining student’s academic achievements, work experience and service credentials
  • A response essay to writing prompts

The Norwich University Honors Council will consider the credentials of an applicant and an announcement of acceptance will be made in April of each year.

Existing NU Student Applicants

Students completing their first or second semesters at NU with a 3.2 GPA and showing an outstanding academic aptitude may be invited to apply.

If you are selected, you will receive an invitation to submit the Honors Program application packet that consists of:

  • Two letters of recommendation from Norwich University faculty from two different disciplines
  • A resume outlining student’s academic achievements, work experience and service credentials
  • A response essay to writing prompts

It is strongly encouraged that NU student applicants work with their academic advisors to prepare an application packet to ensure the success of the process. Questions? Contact Honors Program Director, Michael Thunberg at 1 (802) 485-2374 or mthunber@norwich.edu.