Honors College
Anne Arundel Hall, 5-6771
http://www.honors.umd.edu/
honors@umd.edu
Director: Dr. William Dorland
The Honors College is home to Maryland’s highly acclaimed living-learning programs
for students with exceptional academic talents. The Honors College welcomes students
into a close-knit community of faculty and intellectually gifted undergraduates
committed to acquiring a broad and balanced education. The Honors College features
small classes taught by outstanding faculty who encourage discussion
and foster innovative thinking. Each year, approximately 1000 undergraduates
are invited into this highly selective program.
Honors College students have exclusive access to exciting interdisciplinary courses offered in
the Honors living-learning programs, and to special Honors versions of traditional classes ("H-versions")
hosted by academic departments. Honors College students may also choose to join
upper-level Departmental Honors Programs in their major discipline of study.
The exciting Honors living-learning programs range from the highly flexible
University Honors to the more structure and focused two-year programs
[Digital Cultures and Creativity (DCC), Honors Humanities (HH),
Entrepreneurship and Innovation (EIP)] to the four-year Gemstone (GEMS) program
of faculty supervised team research.
H-Version classes are discipline-based courses hosted by academic departments and colleges
on campus. They typically have lower enrollments, more sophisticated material,
and proceed at a faster pace than a corresponding standard course. Most
H-versions have a separate lecture; some join the larger course for lectures
and then break out for separate lab or discussion sections.
Departmental Honors programs, offered by the academic departments across campus,
give Honors students an opportunity to take special upper-level Honors coursework
in the major and work closely with a faculty mentor on an independent research project
culminating in an honors thesis (or equivalent). Department Honors research is a powerful way for a
student to experience the thrill of innovative research.
College Park Scholars Program (CPSP)
1125 Cumberland Hall, 4-2777
http://www.scholars.umd.edu/
Executive Director: Greig Stewart
College Park Scholars is a class of 12 interdisciplinary, two-year living/learning programs in which academically and creatively talented freshmen and sophomores explore interests that enhance, or complement, their academic major. Students in each program attend weekly, faculty-led colloquia that encourage active discussion and debate. Other courses in the curriculum satisfy general education (CORE) requirements. In the second semester of their sophomore year, students choose from independent research, service-learning projects or internships -- both on and off campus -- for their scholars practicum experience.
The programs' focus on community offers many advantages. Program faculty maintain offices in Cambridge Community residence halls, which facilitates meeting with students. Several program faculty lead study-abroad experiences between the fall and spring semesters, or during the summer. Living together in the residence halls helps students form study groups for common courses. Scholars also enjoy meeting guest speakers and having the opportunity to continue conversations outside the classroom. Program directors encourage students to pursue leadership opportunities in co-curricular activities, design and implement community service and social events, participate in tutoring and recruitment activities, or serve on the Student Advisory Board.
One of twelve College Park Scholars living-learning programs, the International Studies Program brings together undergraduate students from a variety of disciplines who share an interest in global issues, politics and events.
International Studies was one of the original four College Park Scholars programs launched in 1994, sponsored by the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences and the Department of Government and Politics. The faculty director and the teaching assistants all have their roots in the Department of Government and Politics.
The International Studies Program welcomes students who wish to live and learn together and who have an interest in exploring international political, economic and cultural issues. Our program offers an opportunity to build global understanding and global awareness through academic and experiential learning.
Upon successful completion of the program, students earn an academic citation (requirements vary by program). In their junior year, students are encouraged to build on their scholars experiences by applying to departmental honors programs and other learning community opportunities. Admission to College Park Scholars is selective and by invitation.
CIVICUS
0107 Somerset Hall, 5-8759
http://www.civicus.umd.edu/
Director: Dr. Sue Briggs
CIVICUS is a two-year living and learning program in the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences. This academic citation program is centered on five themes of civil society: citizenship, leadership, community service-learning, community building in a diverse society and scholarship. About 130 diverse and energetic CIVICUS Associates take a common core of classes, live together in Somerset Hall and participate in civic, community service, experiential and other activities and projects on and off campus.
CIVICUS was founded on the assumption that to be engaged members of civil society we have an obligation to be aware of the world outside of the classroom and to act upon issues that affect the world in which we live. Therefore, our courses and activities are intricately linked with each other and our communities. CIVICUS Associates enrich their academic work and explore career opportunities by volunteering with nonprofit organizations and governmental agencies and programs, creating their own community service projects and interacting with faculty and community leaders. They are among the most involved students at Maryland. CIVICUS Associates complete a Capstone internship at the university or in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.
Selected students from all majors are invited to participate in the CIVICUS Living and Learning Program when they apply to the university as first year students, based on their letters of recommendation, involvement in high school and the community, admissions essays and academic transcripts. CIVICUS looks to invite students who will continue to strengthen and broaden their leadership skills within the campus and local communities.
There are a number of different types of honors which are awarded for excellent academic work. Some are university-wide, while others are specific to colleges and majors.
