The University of Maine offers one of the nation’s oldest continuously-running honors programs. Open to students in all majors, the Honors College provides opportunities for motivated students to investigate diverse academic disciplines, to be challenged in a supportive intellectual environment, and to engage enthusiastic fellow students and faculty in thoughtful, provocative discussions. Students in the Honors College complete an academic major in one of the university’s five degree-granting colleges while completing most of their general education requirements and a thesis in the Honors College. The benefits and rewards of the program are substantial.
Students and faculty involved in the Honors College come from all areas of the university. As a community of approximately seven hundred students within the University of Maine, the Honors College offers small, interdisciplinary classes where students and faculty members interact closely, sharing ideas and insights developed through critical exploration of primary sources.
The Honors College fosters the idea that genuine excellence in college-level studies means substantial competence in areas outside a major field of specialization as well as excellence within it. The Honors curriculum expands students’ perspectives by exploring areas of thought beyond their major fields while also providing them opportunities to work in their majors with greater intensity than might be possible within a conventional course pattern. Honors study begins with interdisciplinary breadth and concludes with depth in a major field of study
Admission
Entering first-year students are invited to join the Honors College on the basis of their admission records. To be eligible, students should have a strong academic record and show curiosity, initiative, and intellectual flexibility in both academic work and extracurricular activities. Incoming first-year students, current UMaine students, and transfer students may also ask to be considered for admission by contacting the Honors College office (honors@maine.edu). Prior to admission, current and transfer students will consult with the associate dean to discuss previous coursework and an appropriate program of study in Honors.
Honors Thesis and Degree Designation
The Honors thesis is a culminating experience of independent scholarship in the Honors College. An Honors student’s thesis work is evaluated after the completion of their thesis defense. The level of honors [Honors, High Honors, Highest Honors] awarded depends on the quality of the written thesis and the Reading List, as well as the student’s discussion of these elements at the oral defense. The honors designation appears on both the student’s diploma and on the transcript; the thesis title also appears on the transcript. More information on the Honors thesis can be found at honors.umaine.edu.
College and University Requirements
The 18-credit Honors core curriculum is comprised of the four-credit courses HON 111, HON 112, HON 211, HON 212, and the one-credit civic engagement and cultural course (HON 170 and HON 180 respectively). Successful completion of this curriculum satisfies all of the undergraduate General Education Human Values and Social Context and Ethics requirements. Successful completion of HON 111 and HON 112 with a grade of C or better in each course satisfies the university’s basic composition requirement (ENG 101). HON 211 and HON 212 are also designated as Writing Intensive. In practice, this means that students who complete the Civilizations sequence and the cultural and civic engagement 1-credit courses have satisfied all of the university’s general education requirements with the exception of mathematics (Quantitative Literacy) and science (General Education Science). Additionally, 300-level Honors tutorials satisfy at least one of the Human Values and Social Contexts requirements.
A C or better is required in all Honors courses to satisfy the requirements of the Honors College. These courses may be repeated once for credit.
The Honors College monitors the GPAs of its students. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.30 is required to graduate from the Honors College. Students who fall below a 3.30 GPA are subject to academic action cautioned based upon a set of GPA thresholds for each cohort (determined by date of admission to UMaine).
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At the end of their first year in Honors, students whose cumulative GPAs are below 2.7 are subject to dismissal from the Honors College, and students whose GPAs range from 2.7-2.99 will remain in Honors, but will be placed on caution status.
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At the end of the second year in Honors, students whose cumulative GPAs are below 3.00 are subject to dismissal from the Honors College, and students whose GPAs range from 3.00-3.14 will remain in Honors, but will be placed on caution status.
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At the end of the third year in Honors, students whose cumulative GPAs are below 3.15 are subject to dismissal from the Honors College, and students whose GPAs range from 3.15-3.29 will remain in Honors, but will be placed on caution status.
In many majors, the Honors thesis will satisfy the “capstone” general education requirement. Some departments also allow HON 499 to satisfy the requirement for a writing intensive course in the major or to serve as a technical elective. For specific information, students should contact their department chair or consult with their major advisor.
Further information about the Honors College can be found at honors.maine.edu. The Honors College can be reached by email at honors@maine.edu; by phone at (207) 581-3263; or by mail at The Honors College, University of Maine, 5716 Colvin Hall, Orono ME, 04469-5716.
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