In the Honors Program, you are part of a community of scholars, including Catholic University's best students and faculty. You will receive a rigorous liberal arts education, learn to think critically, and enjoy the benefits of personal, one-on-one advising as you plan your course of study and life after graduation.

During the fall orientation for first-year students, there will be a session for Honors students. It is important that you attend so that you can meet us and learn about what the program (UHP) has to offer.

You may be wondering how the Honors Program fits in with the major that you have chosen. Every Honors student will be part of an Honors "learning community." This means that you will take the required first-year English, Philosophy, and Theology courses with the same, small group of Honors students. The Philosophy courses are part of the Honors Philosophy track, and HSTR 201 will count as part of the Honors Theology/Religious Studies track (see "Tracks," below).

Beyond the learning committee, your selection of courses will depend a lot on your major/school. In early June you will receive information from your school and your CACS (Center for Academic and Career Sucess) advisor with instructions for registration and recommended courses.

• If you are in the School of Philosophy you should take the first course in one of the following Honors tracks (for an explanation of the tracks, see "Tracks," below): Environmental Studies, Humanities, or Social Sciences.
• To be eligible for the Liberal Studies track, you must:
  • Be a student in one of the professional schools (Architecture, Business and Economics, Engineering, Music, National Catholic School of Social Service, Nursing). Students who will earn a Bachelor of Science in the School of Arts of Students or are an Education major are also eligible.
  • Work with Dr. Paxton to create a personalized track
  • Combine four courses from at least three different tracks
    • Only one LC course can be used 
    • Non-track courses in the Honors program count for the Liberal Studies track

For descriptions of first-year courses and an explanation of the University distribution requirements that they fulfill.

The Honors Program offers 5 tracks, each consisting of 4 courses:

1. Humanities
2. Philosophy
3. Social Sciences
4. Theology
5. Environmental Studies
6. Liberal Studies 

Each track provides a cohesive introduction to a major area of intellectual inquiry. When you complete one of these tracks, you will have learned to think like a humanist, a philosopher, a social scientist, a theologian, or an environmental policymaker, and you will have fulfilled certain Catholic University requirements. (See our course equivalency sheet.)

An additional track option is available to students in the professional schools (Architecture, Business and Economics, Engineering, Music, National Catholic School of Social Service, Nursing) and those planning to receive a BS in the School of Arts and Sciences. With their adviser's guidance, these students may create their own Honors in Liberal Studies track by choosing 4 courses from the 5 tracks mentioned above. Completing these courses gives them insight into a wide breadth of subject areas and enables them to balance Honors coursework with their major requirements.

In order to receive recognition for participation in the Honors Program, students must complete at least one track. Students in the School of Philosophy or pursuing a BA in the School of Arts and Sciences often participate in multiple tracks. Those who complete three tracks plus a capstone seminar in the senior year receive the designation "University Scholar."

The requirement for good standing in the Honors Program is a 3.5 GPA. In order to receive recognition for participating in the University Honors Program, students must complete at least one track. Beyond this, we encourage students to regularly attend campus lectures, get involved in research, engage in community service, and take advantage of study abroad opportunities.

• Attend lectures specially organized for Honors students
• Participate in the Hitchhiker's Guide to Culture events
• Eat dinner with a member of the faculty at one of the monthly UHP symposia
• Visit the opera or the theater on a UHP-sponsored excursion
• Discover the Library of Congress in a special tour for Honors students.