University Honors

What is the Honor's Program at BHSU?

The University Honors program fosters achievement, leadership, and community through individualized study. Students engage directly with faculty mentors in small classes focused on critical thinking and analysis rather than memorization. The program offers unique academic experiences, research opportunities, and service projects. Graduates earn the distinction of University Scholar, reflecting their commitment to excellence across disciplines.

Top 10 Reasons to join the University Honors Program

Grants access to the University Honors Center, which includes free printing, a spacious study room, and coffee
Provides unique coursework that includes small, discussion-based classes
Afford valuable mentor relationships with faculty
Promotes a unique social setting with students from different majors and backgrounds
Provides great resume and job application credentials
Creates opportunities for involvement at BHSU and in the Spearfish community
Prepares you for graduate school and the professional arena no matter your discipline
Affords the opportunity to do a capstone project of your own design
Assists in the transition into college through an instant sense of community
Allows for greater undergraduate research and creative scholarship opportunities

Honors Curriculum

Goals

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. Faculty create one-of-a-kind colloquia to challenge and engage students in discussion-based classes that promote the free exchange of ideas, academic scholarship and research, and experiential learning opportunities. Later in their Honors careers, students direct their own capstone project, aided by the guidance of a faculty mentor and capstone committee. This experience culminates in a traditional defense at the end of the semester.

Colloquia at BHSU

Each semester, the BHSU Honors Program offers its students the unique opportunity to take a custom-made colloquium. This "fringe" seminar is taught by an esteemed professor at the university and introduces students to concepts and ideas not normally covered in an undergraduate class. Faculty create one-of-a-kind curriculum to challenge and engage students in a course that provokes thought through free exchange of new ideas, academic scholarship and research, and experiential learning opportunities. The colloquia are selected by student vote every two years.

Colloquia Course Examples

Disability in American Culture

The Enduring Appeal of Modern/Post-Modern Pop-Culture Hero Sherlock Holmes

Opting Out: Hermits, Pirates, Homesteaders and Hackers

Madness in Popular Culture: The "Insanity" of Women

Ethics and Leadership in Popular Science Fiction

Molecules That Changed History

Honors Capstone

As an opportunity to direct their own research, creative scholarship, or experiential learning experience, each University Honors student directs and defends a capstone project. Each project is either a thesis or a major project that is undertaken by the student and guided by a capstone committee consisting of a faculty mentor and two readers. Below are a few of the exciting projects put forth by students.

Geek Speak Lecture Series

Geek Speak at BHSU is a free lecture series hosted by the University Honors Program each semester. Faculty and guest speakers explore a variety topics from history and science to literature and pop culture.

Find out more about Geek Speak Lectures Upcoming Geek Speak Lectures

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