honors & scholars programs
By participating in either the University Honors Program or the Scholars Program at NC State University, your college experience expands to new places, new projects and new opportunities—and prepares you for life beyond your undergraduate degree.
University Honors Program
The University Honors Program (UHP) prepares you for success following graduation from NC State. Whether you plan to continue your education in graduate or professional school, find a job, or apply for major national scholarships and fellowships, the UHP exposes you to seminars, workshops and cultural events with to give you a competitive edge.
Honors students spend 75% of their program time focused on their academic lives and 25% on enrichment activities. The program requires significant capstone research that focuses on the creation and expansion of new knowledge. All UHP courses explore both the history and consequences (ethical dilemmas, social and political changes) of discoveries, inventions, new art forms, new ideas, and books.
UHP students attend small, discussion-based groups that promote the importance of discovery, inquiry and creativity. UHP students also benefit from early registration and extended library loan privileges. Participants can live in the Honors Village to gain a sense of community with other students sharing your experience.
The program requires a minimum of six credit hours of Honors Independent Study or Honors Undergraduate Research that culminates in a creative project or thesis. Admission is not automatic. Instead, an invitation letter will be sent to a select group of students after they've been admitted to NC State. Criteria include class rank, grade point average and SAT scores.
University Scholars Program
The University Scholars Program (USP) is a living-learning program that provides personal, professional and leadership development for outstanding students. The program enriches your undergraduate career through a series of carefully designed experiences that connect you to the arts; encourage you to consider how contemporary issues play into sciences and politics, ultimately linking your academic interests with your career goals. If you're ready for a challenge and the opportunity to develop as a thinker, leader and active contributor to society now — take a closer look at the USP program.
Scholars students spend 75% of their program time focused on enrichment activities and 25% on their academic lives. USP students benefit from early class registration, as well as activities like free tickets to events, field trips and opportunities to participate in the Outdoor Leadership Series. Many participants live in the University Scholars Village at Sullivan Hall.
To successfully complete the program, students have to maintain a minimum GPA of 3.25 and must complete 12 hours of approved course credit. All incoming high school students are invited to join the USP. If you choose to delay entry into the program, you must apply separately.
