Your Path to Honors Distinction
See how Honors fits your major, understand the requirements, and explore the courses that will shape your journey.
Sample 4-Year Schedules
See how honors fits different majors
These are sample schedules only.
Actual course offerings, availability, and sequencing may differ when you enroll. Use these examples to see how honors fits your major, not as a guaranteed course plan. Your academic advisor will help you build your actual schedule.
Pre-med biology track with honors courses integrated throughout.
Elementary education track. Note how thesis begins junior spring to avoid conflict with student teaching.
Business administration track with honors woven into core requirements.
Graduation Requirements
What it takes to earn Honors distinction
Plus maintain a 3.50+ cumulative GPA throughout your time at Newman
Good news: Most of these 27 credits overlap with courses you're already taking. The 18 hours of honors courses are just honors sections of gen-eds and Newman Studies courses you'd take anyway, like philosophy, theology, history, literature. By taking honors sections of these courses, you're choosing more engaging versions of the same requirements.
Freshman Honors Seminar
3 credits
+
Freshman Honors Seminar
3 credits
An interdisciplinary course, ordinarily team-taught, that explores human nature and what it means to be human from a variety of perspectives.
- Ordinarily taken your first semester at Newman
- Teaches content and thinking skills
- Builds community among honors students
- Sets expectations for honors-level work
Honors Courses
18 credits (at least 9 outside your major)
+
Honors Courses
18 credits (at least 9 outside your major)
Earn 18 additional honors credits through three pathways:
- Designated honors classes: Courses with "HNRS" prefix or an "H" following the course number
- Honors options: Regular courses expanded with additional honors-level work, arranged with your instructor and approved by the Honors Director
- Independent study: Conference courses negotiated between you and instructors for deep exploration of a topic
At least 9 of these credits must be earned outside your "school" (e.g., if you're a science major, take some honors courses in humanities or social sciences).
Senior Honors Thesis
6 credits (full year)
+
Senior Honors Thesis
6 credits (full year)
A year-long independent research project on a topic you choose, completed under faculty mentorship.
- Ordinarily completed during your senior year
- Guided by a faculty advisor in your field
- Presented to a committee: your advisor, the Honors Director, and two other faculty members
- Showcased at the end-of-year Thesis Showcase
The thesis is often the most meaningful academic experience of your college career.
Transfer Student Requirements
- Fewer than 15 credits earned: Complete all standard requirements (27 total honors credits)
- 15–45 credits earned: May graduate with 21 total honors credits
- More than 45 credits earned: May graduate with 18 total honors credits; freshman seminar requirement may be substituted
Honors Course Catalog
Courses that count toward your honors requirements
These are examples of honors courses offered at Newman. Course availability varies by semester, so check the current schedule for what's being offered.
Core Honors Courses
Navigator Courses
Sample Honors Offerings
What About Honors Options?
Don't see a course you need? Many regular courses can become "honors" through an honors option — additional work arranged with your instructor and approved by the Honors Director. This flexibility means you can earn honors credit in almost any subject that interests you.
Questions About Your Path?
Dr. Kelly McFall
Director, Honors Program
Dr. McFall can help you plan how Honors fits your specific major and goals.
Email Dr. McFall