Required Courses

To graduate with Honors students must have a 3.30 GPA at the time of graduation and successfully complete:

Civilizations (HON 111, 112, 211, and 212 ) 4 credits/course; typically taken over the first four semesters

The four courses constituting Civilizations: Past, Present, and Future follow a chronological trajectory from earliest recorded times through the present, examining philosophy, history, literature, the arts, and natural, physical, and social sciences. In particular, by incorporating primary sources, small group discussions, and multiple perspectives, these courses explore the way in which civilizations and cultures have been developed and have interacted with others. The Civilizations Sequence (years 1 and 2) must be completed with a “C” or better in each course and an overall GPA of 3.00. 

Two out of the three:

HON 3XX – Honors Tutorials 3 credits

Honors tutorials are small classes (up to 12) that offer an in-depth look at a specific topic. These courses are proposed by faculty from across campus, and the tutorials offered change each semester. A listing of Honors tutorials can be found here.

Alternatively, students choosing to study abroad, participate in a summer or semester REU (research experience for undergraduates), participate in a congressional internship, or another other approved “Tutorial Alternative” may waive the tutorial requirement. See the Tutorial Alternatives for more information.

HON 391 – Introduction to Thesis Research – 1 Credit

HON 391 is a one-credit, pass/fail course offered every semester. It is designed to give students a jump-start on their thesis. The course covers all aspects of the thesis process from beginning to end. The course is a series of weekly meetings designed to provide prospective Honors thesis writers with the background, resources and understanding necessary to produce quality independent work. It will engage students in investigating previous theses written in The Honors College, discussions with students currently writing theses and faculty advising theses, identifying a thesis advisor, developing an individual thesis topic, increasing information literacy and research skills and producing an annotated bibliography or literature review. This course is required beginning with the Class of 2022.

HON 498  & HON 499  – Honors Thesis 3 credits/course 

The Honors thesis is an opportunity for students to work closely with a member of the faculty on an independent research or creative endeavor that brings their undergraduate academic experience to a conclusion. In many cases, the Honors thesis will satisfy the “capstone” general education requirement. Further details on the Honors thesis can be found here.

General Education Requirements

Civilizations Sequence Gen Ed fulfillments by semester and by Gen Ed type - if in need of explanation, please email honors@maine.edu.

  • The Civilizations sequence satisfies the University’s Human Values and Social Contexts (HVSC) general education requirement for 16 out of the 18 required credits.
    • Taking two of the following 3 classes, HON 170, HON 175, and HON 180, will provide the two additional required credits.
  • Successful (“C” or better) completion of HON 111 and HON 112 waives the college composition (ENG 101) requirement.
  • HON 211 and HON 212 each satisfy the writing intensive (outside the major) requirement.
  • Students who have completed HON 111, 112, 211, 212, and 2 of the 3 of HON 170, 175, and 180 will still need to fulfill the mathematics, science, and capstone requirements.

 

Remaining in Good Standing

At the end of each semester, the Associate Dean and the Dean examine the academic records of students in the College.

Students are placed on caution status if: their GPAs are between 2.70 and 3.00 at the end of their first year; their GPAs are between 3.00 and 3.15 at the end of their second year; their GPAs are between 3.15 and 3.30 at the end of their third year. Students with GPAs below the lower limit of each range will be academically ineligible for the Honors College and will be separated from the College (unenrolled from Honors classes and taken off the Honors Plan). Click here for Honors GPA Calculators.

Notices of academic action will be communicated to the student through electronic mail (using the student’s @maine.edu address) and/or USPS mail using the student’s permanent address on file with Student Records. Notice of separation actions will also be placed in the student’s MaineStreet Message Center. Separation status may be appealed in writing no more than 30 days after the action is communicated to the student.