Aurora University Honors Program

Program Overview

Designed for highly motivated students, the Honors Program offers a rich variety of curricular and experiential opportunities. Curricular requirements are flexible, with much of the course work fulfilling general education or major requirements. You can individualize your course work by choosing seminars of interest to you.

Co-curricular Activities

• Opening Year Event to meet new honors students
• Honors events or field trips throughout the year
• Junior/senior year retreat at the Lake Geneva campus
• Academic Symposium to present senior projects
• Service learning opportunities

Curricular requirements

• Honors Seminars - 8 semester hours
• IDS course - 4 semester hours
• Study/travel opportunities - 3 or 4 semesters hours
• Senior project - 3 or 4 semesters hours:
  A critical analysis of a significant problem or issue related to the student’s major, using appropriate methodology and integrating the core values of Aurora University.

Criteria for first year student participation

• ACT of 25 or above
• High school GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• Enrollment in the Honors Seminar during fall semester
• Completion of the honors application

Interested students who are accepted become Honors Program Candidates and will be assigned an Honors Advisor. During the first semester, you will enroll in the Honors Seminar. This course allows candidates to explore the Honors Program and decide whether to pursue the full honors curriculum.

Criteria for full acceptance into the honors program

• A cumulative GPA of 3.5 after earning a minimum of 12 semester hours during the fall semester
• Completion of the Honors Program Application by March 15
• Submission of a personal resume, three letters of reference (at least one from an AU faculty member), an essay, and a brief cover letter of transmittal.
• An interview with the selection committee

Students will be notified by the selection committee of acceptance by April 30. Continuation in the Honors Program requires maintenance of a 3.5 overall GPA.

For more information about the Honors Program, contact Dan Hipp at dhipp@aurora.edu or 630-844-4883.

Honors Program Homepage
Benefits | Program Overview | Director Bios