Why join the University Honors Program?
As a member of the UHP, you will pursue a selection of lower-division General Education classes as well as upper-division electives and Capstone courses in smaller sections reserved for high-achieving students. You will become part of a vibrant community that is dedicated to your academic success and personal growth. By providing exceptional educational opportunities like scholarship workshops and mini-seminars in advanced library research, the UHP wants to maximize your undergraduate experience. We also host a series of events throughout the semester, which will present you with ample opportunities to actively engage in the culture of the Honors Program, the campus, and the surrounding community. Excellent, personalized advising will help you navigate our university curriculum and UHP priority registration will allow you early access to the classes you need on your road to graduation. Each year, many of our students receive the highest academic honors our campus has to offer; they attend undergraduate research conferences and gain admission to prestigious graduate schools.
I have sophomore or junior standing here at CSULB. Can I still apply to the University Honors Program?
Continuing and transfer students are encouraged to apply to the UHP. As outlined on the UHP Requirements page, a minimum number of units must be taken through the Honors Program, so students not applying in their first semester should still have 9-18 remaining General Education units and meet the minimum GPA requirements.
How do I know if I am eligible for the University Honors Program and when is the deadline to apply?
Information on our admissions criteria and application deadlines as well as the application form and instructions can be found on our How to Apply page.
I have taken and passed several Advanced Placement exams in high school, and they fulfill many of my General Education requirements. Should I still join the University Honors Program?
Yes, absolutely! Although Advanced Placement credit can cover many General Education requirements, it does not cover all of them. Human Diversity, Self-Integration, and Capstone courses are just a few of the GE areas not satisfied by AP credit that are satisfied by courses offered through the UHP.
Are University Honors Program classes harder than non-UHP courses?
A recent informal study at Arizona Western College showed that students in honors classes receive higher grades than students in regular classes. Here at CSULB, 90% of the students in the UHP receive higher grades than in their regular classes. Honors classes are not designed to overburden students but rather to give them a more intimate, discussion-oriented learning environment to better understand class material and allow for building relationships with excellent university faculty.
Do I have to take extra classes for the University Honors Program?
Nearly all Honors Program courses serve to meet one or more General Education requirements and, in many cases, major or minor requirements. UHP 496 and 498, the thesis research and writing courses, cannot be used to fulfill GE requirements, but are rather independent study courses completed under the mentorship of a faculty member within the student’s major department.
Can I take Honors courses without being in the University Honors Program?
We do not open UHP-designated courses to the general university population in order to ensure that we uphold the Program’s mission of offering smaller class sizes in which members of the UHP learning community can pursue select coursework through the Program.
Are major courses offered through the University Honors Program?
As the UHP offers a diverse suite of Honors courses each semester, it is possible that a student may fulfill a major or minor requirement through the Honors Program, depending on the course offerings and the student’s chosen degree. Also, as stated above, UHP 496 and 498, the thesis research and writing courses, are independent study courses completed under the mentorship of a faculty member within the student’s major department.
Are there special accommodations through on-campus Housing that allow the Honors students to dorm together?
Unfortunately, the UHP does not have any on-campus housing arrangements in place. However, Housing does allow for students to request a roommate and many Honors students opt to room with one another.
Are there social aspects to the University Honors Program?
The UHP strives to create a sense of community among its students. Each semester the UHP Student Association holds a number of events that promote friendship-building, such as movie nights, bonfires, and holiday parties. In addition, the UHP office on the second floor of the Library has a lounge for students to meet and study.
How much input do students have in the University Honors Program?
The primary organ through which students influence the Honors Program is the UHP Student Association. This group is headed by an Executive Board of student leaders who work closely and collaboratively with the UHP Director and Assistant Director. Students are also always free to contact the UHP staff in person at the office or via email.
Are any scholarships available through the University Honors Program?
The UHP does not currently offer any scholarships. However, each year the UHP partners with the Center for Scholarship Information to host workshops on searching for and securing scholarships made available through CSULB. Additionally, the UHP holds “Big Scholarship” workshops to inform Honors students about nationally renowned scholarships, their criteria, and input on ways to stay competitive to earn these prestigious awards.
Whom should I contact with questions about the University Honors Program?
Any questions you may have which are not answered above or on the UHP website can be addressed to Terri Iler, the UHP Assistant Director, either by phone at (562) 985-4706 or email at terri.iler@csulb.edu.