Fact Sheet
The Bloomsburg University Honors Program is a unique learning community that provides motivated students with educational enhancements. We are proud to offer many opportunities for students to excel throughout their college experience.
Honors Courses and Requirements
The Honors Program offers several “Honors-Only”
classes each semester. These classes are designed to meet both honors
program requirements and to substitute for general education classes
that every major needs to graduate. In most cases, Honors students do
not need to take extra classes to fulfill both Honors Program and major
requirements.
Honors courses are always smaller and more interactive than typical BU
courses. Courses are taught by top-notch professors who work hard to
enhance Honors students’ educational endeavors.
Challenging Classes, Rewarding Experiences
A common fear of prospective students is that Honors classes may be so challenging that students will have little time to do anything other than study. While Honors courses are designed to elevate coursework to the motivation level of honors students, the close-knit environment in Honors classes are more conducive to learning. In other words, Honors courses can be more challenging, but more rewarding—and don’t worry; you will have free time away from the books!
Honors Program Scholarships
Those students accepted into the Honors Program as freshman compete for approximately 20 awards of $1500. This award is for the freshman year only. Students in good standing in the Program can compete for $500 awards for each subsequent year at BU. The Honors Program has recently a commitment to award more scholarship money. The specifics of how this money will be allocated have not been determined but we expect the value and number of both the freshman and the continuing awards to increase.
Honors Independent Study
Typically begun during the second semester of their sophomore year, students select a professor to mentor them through a research study or other project of their interest. Throughout a span of two semesters, they receive academic credit to investigate and produce an appropriate “product” pertaining to their chosen area. Project topics vary widely; past projects have included (but are not limited to) authoring books, engaging in scientific studies, creating interactive CDs and composing musical pieces. The Independent Study experience is unique to BU Honors Students. One typically cannot do independent study at BU (except in a limited number of majors) unless you are in the Honors Program. Also, independent study is not typically available in honors programs at other universities. This effort is something special that will not only enhance your education and confidence, but also make your resume more attractive for graduate school or the workplace...
What else can I get out of the Honors Program?
A better education is not the only perk of the Honors
program. Another privilege reserved for Honors students is the ability
to schedule before all other students on campus. This preferential
scheduling allows honors students to construct their schedule earlier
and to obtain with ease classes and professors who are in high-demand.
Another significant opportunity includes educational enhancements, such
as travel (including travel abroad), trips to New York and Washington
D.C., and attending special events. These are usually partially or
completely paid for by the Honors Program.
As an Honors student, one also has the chance to live with a group of
students that are more serious about their education.
The Honors program is proud to offer a “Living-Learning” community that
places Honors students near one another in a dormitory. As Honors
students share many classes, it provides the opportunity to help one
another through classes and to develop relationships with a diverse and
fun group of individuals. The Honors program also has a social aspect to
it. Many Honors students develop friendships through the many social
functions offered by the program. Students of all academic levels-
freshman to senior- form connections with one another to make up a
dynamic and diverse community.
The Choice is Yours
The Bloomsburg University Honors Program provides superior educational enhancement to an already valuable and price-efficient Bloomsburg University education. The only thing you have to lose is a great opportunity!