For Current Students

Forms

• Honors Program Handbook
• Honors HN492 Student Teaching Waiver
• Honors HN492 Study Abroad Waiver
• Honors Voluntary Withdraw Form
• JMS HN492 Early Graduation Waiver
• JMS HN492 Study Abroad Waiver
• JMS Oral Communication Rubric
• JMS Plan of Study
• JMS Plan of Study Modification
• JMS Project Supervisor Approval
• JMS Proposal Agreement
• JMS Product-Based Proposal Approval
• JMS Research Project Proposal Approval
• JMS Supervisor Change
• JMS Voluntary Withdraw Form

In order to fill out the forms digitally for submission, download Adobe software

Honors Program FAQ:

1. Honors University Seminar (HN183), Honors Writing Studio I (HN150) or Honors Writing Studio II (HN151) isn’t going well, can I drop it and take it later? No. Dropping any of these required first year honors courses is a very, very bad idea. They are only offered once a year and are filled by incoming honors students. You will be seriously behind in the honors program if you drop any of these courses and it will severely jeopardize your success in the program. Please discuss any such issues with the Honors Director.
2. Do I have to do a James Millikin Scholars (JMS) Project? No, JMS is optional, and not required to complete the honors program. If you hear otherwise, it is because it used to be required, but it was changed a few years ago.
3. I’m a sophomore. Can I take 300 level honors courses? Yes. Honors students are not restricted in what honors courses they take and they may take the courses in any order that fits their schedule and interest.
4. Do Honors Students have to do “community service?” No. The Honors Program does not require any “service hours.” You might be required to engage in service or service-learning because of other organizations and clubs to which you belong, but the honors program does not have service as a required component. However, it is expected that Honors Students are engaged with the campus and community. One way to do that is through community service or service-learning. Honors students are required to engage with the honors, campus or wider community outside of the classroom for no less than 10 clock hours per semester. The honors program is working on developing a convenient tracking system, but right now we are relying on the honor system (pun intended). Engagement is defined as participation in sanctioned Honors Program events or campus or community service performed under the auspice of the Honors Program (loosely construed). Paid positions do not count toward this total.
5. Can I take two of the same course numbers for credit (e.g., take two HN203, Humanities Honors Seminars)? Yes. You obviously shouldn’t take the same honors seminar twice, but you may take more than one of the same course number (e.g., you could take an HN203 literature seminar and an HN203 philosophy seExiting the Honors Programminar). However, you should always strive to take a diverse range of honors courses (e.g, you should not take two biology HN204 courses). Get out of your comfort zone!
6. Can an honors seminar count toward my major/minor? This is entirely up to the particular department. Some departments allow it in certain cases, some don’t. Contact the chair of the relevant department to inquire. Please note: Honors University Seminar (HN183) does not count toward any other requirement.
7. Will I get behind in the Honors Program if I study abroad? No, and honors students are strongly encouraged to study abroad. If you study abroad for an entire academic term, enroll in a course that meets the IN350, Global Studies course at your partner university. Notify the Honors Director, and that will count as your HN350, Honors Global Colloquium.
8. How does student teaching and being an education major affect the Honors Program? If you student teach, you will likely need to start your Honors Capstone Project during your 6th academic term (second semester of your junior year).  Education Majors also often need to avoid taking honors courses during certain semesters and make up by taking more than one during other semesters as their schedule allows. Don’t worry, lots of education majors have completed the Honors Program!
9. Where is this “Honors Lounge” I hear so much about? The honors lounge is Shilling Hall Room 103. Honors students have 24-hour access to Shilling Hall to access the lounge. The lounge is left unlocked for honors student use. If it is locked, call Safety and Security at (217) 464-8888.
10. What amenities are available in the Honors Lounge? In addition to work and relaxation spaces, inside the honors lounge there is a fridge, coffee maker, and printer. The printer can be set up through papercut just like other campus printers. Use the white HP; the black Kyocera is for administrative use only. Label all food and beverages left in the honors lounge, or it may be eaten or drank by someone else!
11. How can I get more involved with the Honors Program? Our Student Honors Advisory Council (SHAC) is our student leadership team (Student council/government for the Honors Program). Join a committee and help plan events or get other leadership opportunities!
12. What classes do I have to take? See pg. 6 of the Honors Handbook for a sample plan.
13. What classes do I not have to take? Unless required to do so because of particular college or major/minor requirements, Honors Students are not required to take the following courses (37 – 40 credit hours):

• IN140: University Seminar (3 credits)
• IN150: Critical Writing, Reading and Research I (3 credits)
• IN151: Critical Writing, Reading and Research II (3 credits)
• IN250: U.S. Cultural Studies (3 credits)
• IN251: U.S. Structural Studies (3 credits)
• IN350: Global Studies (3 credits)
• Creative Arts Course (3 credits)
• Natural Science with a Lab Course (4 credits)
• Oral Communications Course (3 credits)
• Quantitative Reasoning Course (3-4 credits)
• International Cultures and Structures Courses. (4-6 credits)

The information on this page including additional relevant content may be found in the Honors Program Handbook, located under Resources.