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University Honors Program

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The University Honors Program is a welcoming, engaged learning community for high-achieving students from all majors. As part of Honors at UW-Eau Claire, you'll have the chance to work with a diverse group of faculty and students who will both challenge and support you. Choose from a wide variety of innovative courses only offered in Honors, take advantage of unique leadership and research options, and become part of a vibrant community. Our goal? To create opportunities that will help you develop intellectually, personally and professionally.

Just
the
facts

30+ Honors Courses Each Semester

Explore dozens of small, discussion-oriented courses reserved exclusively for Honors students.

Get Your Dream Job Faster

Honors students hold an average GPA of 3.87 — and nearly 95% graduate in four years or less.

800 Students from 140 Majors

Our nationally recognized Honors Program is a community built upon academic excellence.

More About Honors

As a University Honors student, you'll have a chance to explore widely, shape the future of your field and your communities, and build your resume.

Courses and Research

Community and Leadership

About Us

How to Join

The Honors Program has allowed me to take classes outside of my field of study—classes that have helped me find areas that truly spark my interest. Being able to step outside of my comfort zone has helped me prepare for graduate school, and the friendly community has offered me support throughout my time in the program.

Learning in Action

Jenny Boyle

Chemistry

A Different Kind of Learning

The Honors Program takes pride in its small, interdisciplinary, discussion-based courses. When our highly motivated students from different backgrounds and majors share perspectives and work together, that’s where the Honors magic happens. Our courses are not harder--instead, they offer a different kind of learning.

We offer over 30 courses per semester that are open only to Honors students. These courses include Honors colloquia--interdisciplinary classes on special topics, designed for Honors students--as well as Honors sections of introductory courses that are required in many majors. Honors students can also earn Honors credit for a variety of other high-impact experiences, including study abroad, research, and leadership.

With 95% of Honors students graduating in four years or less, Honors will help you get the most out of your education without extending time to graduation. In fact, Honors priority registration helps some of our students graduate early. Nearly all of our courses count toward the university's Liberal Education core, and some courses also count toward major or minor requirements.

There's no better way to learn about Honors than to check out this semester's Honors course descriptions!

a group of students paint with their hands

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Experiencing Color Honors Course

Students spent the semester in a hands-on exploration of the history, aesthetics, science, psychology, and culture of color, with Theater professor Erin Hisey.

2/5

Art in New Mexico Honors Course and Immersion

After a semester studying the intersection of American Indian art and modernism in New Mexico, students traveled to Santa Fe and Taos for a two-week immersion experience.

3/5

Intro to Clinical Research Honors Course

Students learned about clinical research with Andy Calvin, M.D., a cardiologist at Mayo Clinic Health Systems, in a one-of-a-kind course open only to Honors students.

a group of students stand at the front of the room giving a presentation

4/5

Developing as a Leader Honors Course

Students learned about leadership and how to effectively work as a team while completing group projects with Eau Claire nonprofits.

a class of students stand in front of a screen

5/5

Understanding Contemporary Ukraine Honors Course

After a semester learning about Ukrainian history and culture, students met virtually with university students in Ukraine to discuss the impact of the war.

A Supportive Community

In Honors, you'll find a community of faculty, staff, and students who will challenge and support you to aim high and learn everything you can. We host a student organization called Honors Student Council, a Living Learning Community in Bridgman Hall, and a community hub in the Honors Commons in McIntyre Library. Almost every week, there's an Honors event where you can meet other students--social gatherings, meals with professors, community service projects, information sessions about interesting opportunities, relaxation events, off-campus treks, and more. Our weekly newsletter, the Honors Headline, shares the news about all of our upcoming events.

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Honors Course Preview

Every semester, we host an event that gathers all the faculty teaching in Honors the following semester. We bring the pizza, and students can meet their instructors, ask questions, and pick their classes.

two graduating seniors smile with a plaque

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Celebrating Our Graduates

We host a receptions for both fall and spring graduates, where we celebrate the accomplishments and ambitions of our new alumni. In Fall 2023, Carly Bower and Megan Gosian were named Outstanding Honors Seniors.

two students look for a scavenger hunt clue under a table

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Honors Spring Soiree

Honors Student Council puts on a beloved social event every spring, featuring games, food, crafts, and an escape room.

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Honors Living Learning Community

About 40 first-year Honors students live together in Bridgman Hall. They have the opportunity to move in early, take HNRS 100 together, and build a strong community.