The University Honors program is about achievement, leadership, and community. The program provides a unique academic and social community for students committed to academic and personal excellence. From foundations courses and colloquia to the capstone project, the program affords an individualized program of study to students with exemplary academic records. Honors work is different work than a traditional university classroom, but not necessarily more difficult. In an Honors learning environment, students engage directly with faculty in classes that are founded on critical analysis and discussion. The focus is less on memorization and more on critical thinking and application, and students are exposed to diverse perspectives and theories not often covered in traditional classroom settings.

Honors courses strive to provide students with faculty mentors, small collaborative communities, and opportunities in research and creative scholarship. The program’s student organization offers opportunities for leadership and service to the campus, the community, and beyond. Honors presents highly motivated students – regardless of their major field of study – an enriching education and university experience. Students who graduate from the program will graduate as University Scholars, both in name and in accomplishment.

JOIN THE HONORS PROGRAM

Dedicated to achievement, leadership, and community, the University Honors Program seeks to enrich students' university experiences. The program is designed to provide the university’s top students with the support and individualized instruction they need to pursue their academic and professional goals.

The University Honors Program adds tremendous value to a Black Hills State University education, including more academic resources and opportunities, individualized instruction and faculty mentorship, and a dynamic academic and social network.

THE UNIVERSITY HONORS PROGRAM ADVANTAGE

Dedicated to achievement, community, and leadership, the University Honors Program seeks to enrich its students' university experiences. The program is designed to provide the university’s top students with the support and individualized instruction they need to pursue their academic and professional goals.

BENEFITS OF THE UNIVERSITY HONORS PROGRAM:

FACULTY MENTORS

From their first semester on campus, students work closely with professors across campus and specifically in their chosen field(s) of study. Honors classes remain small to promote individualized instruction and foster the student-faculty mentor relationship. The esteemed Honors faculty at BHSU are dedicated to providing students with a diverse and stimulating academic experience, whether they serve as Honors professors, capstone committee mentors, Honors Advisory Council members, or Geek Speak lecturers.

UNIQUE COURSEWORK

The goal of the curriculum is to provide students with a well-rounded education and, at the same time, to give them a chance to follow their own academic, professional or creative interests. Depending on the degree program, there are two tracks for the University Honors Program: Bachelor's and Associate's. Faculty create one-of-a-kind courses that promote academic excellence and the free exchange of ideas, academic scholarship and research, and experiential learning. Later in their academic career, Honors students direct their own capstone projects and defense to graduate as University Scholars.

UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH AND CREATIVE SCHOLARSHIP

Each Honors course promotes academic engagement and research, but as a final opportunity to direct their own research, creative activity, service project, or study abroad experience, students complete and defend a capstone project under the mentorship of their capstone committee composed of esteemed BHSU faculty. Honors students are frequent presenters at the Black Hills Research Symposium, NCUR (National Council for Undergraduate Research), and discipline-specific national conferences.

COMMUNITY, COLLABORATION, AND LEADERSHIP

University Honors students enjoy a built-in social and academic community through frequent social events, "socials" (study socials), community service projects, and Thursday afternoon Geek Speak lectures from esteemed faculty. The program also hosts its own student group, the Honors Club, which organizes campus and community events and activities like blood drives, volunteer afternoons at the no-kill animal shelter, and the BHSU Pantry for students and student families in need. University Honors students also enjoy a private Honors Center in historic Woodburn Hall.

UNIVERSITY SCHOLAR TRANSCRIPT DESIGNATIONS

Depending on their track, students who successfully complete the University Honors Program requirements will receive the academic distinction of “University Scholar" on their official academic transcript. These designations indicate to employers and graduate program committees that the applicant’s academic achievement is higher than most graduates. The capstone project, too, serves as evidence of Honors-caliber academic achievement and can also serve as an ideal project and/or writing sample for post-graduation pursuits.

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