Departmental Honors Programs

Honors College students can participate in departmental and college honors programs in addition to their living-learning programs. Departmental honors programs typically involve working closely with a faculty mentor on an independent research or scholarly project culminating in a thesis. There is a minimum GPA requirement, upper level course requirements, and an honors thesis project. Departmental honors programs are a powerful way for students to experience innovative research and discovery in their field of interest. Admission to departmental honors programs varies by college/department. Students should contact the departmental honors program for more information.

Departmental Honors Programs List

Benefits of Departmental Honors:

Students admitted to a departmental or college honors program on campus are considered members of the Honors College, whether or not they were Honors students when they entered UMD. All Honors College students have access to H-version courses offered by academic departments across campus. Students are eligible to participate in all Honors College activities and organizations. Please check the Honors College news and listserv for upcoming events, including Honors' famous ice cream socials!

Honors Research Grants

Departmental or college honors program students may apply for a one-time, need-based honors research grant of $500 to help support research for an individual senior thesis, or travel to a professional conference related to the thesis. Selection of recipients is based on academic merit, quality of supporting materials, and financial need. Learn more about honors research grants.

Honors Option Courses

Students in department or college honors programs have the option to develop an honors option course if they are unable to take a departmental honors course required to complete the honors degree. An honors option student enrolls in a non-honors course and creates an honors-quality addendum to the syllabus. Students need permission from their honors program advisor and the Honors College for the honors option course. Apply for an honors option course.