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Honors College

Open the Door to Independent & Creative Scholarship
  • 900

    Students in Program

  • 46

    HON Courses Offered Per Semester

  • 132

    Honors Theses Per Year (Average)

Honors College Program Overview

UNCW Honors is an intellectually and socially diverse group of engaged students, involved in every major and in all areas of university life. 

Our mission: to offer an immediate community and a powerful, transformative experience that enriches the education and  journey of each student by providing a larger context for their academic program through the completion of high-impact practices.

Learn TO

Pursue academic passions

Be a lifelong learner

Explore a global perspective

Think critically and work independently

Augment Your UNCW Education

The Honors College experience will immediately help you develop connections across campus, provide in-depth conversations with faculty and your classmates, and provide a context around your specific major(s). It is your community on campus. Think of it as a small-college environment with all of the benefits and resources of a larger university.  

Our students conduct research with faculty, secure internships and prestigious fellowships and travel around the world. They also engage in service within the local Wilmington area, from turtle rescues to helping solve transportation issues. The UNCW Honors College helps to develop citizen scholars.

Benefits include: 

  • Personal and academic growth 
  • Small classes  
  • Merit scholarships 
  • Study abroad opportunities 
  • Interdisciplinary seminars 
  • Undergraduate research 
  • Living-learning community 
  • Priority class registration 
  • Faculty-student interaction 
  • Service learning 
Honors college medallion ceremony

Sample Courses in Honors Scholars College

see sample courses
HON 121 Honors Enrichment Seminar: Explorations Beyond the Classroom
HON 191 Introduction to Research and Discovery
HON 211 Honors Topical Interdisciplinary Seminar: Living in our Diverse Nation
HON 212 Honors Topical Interdisciplinary Seminar: Living in a Global Society
See The Full Curriculum

How to Apply

Do you have an interest in applying to the UNCW Honors College? The Honors College provides small classes, creative coursework, and access to life-changing experiences like global learning, research opportunities, and unique programming.  

If you are a new student, you will need to apply to UNCW as well as Honors College. Incoming first-year students, current students and transfer students seeking to enhance their UNCW academic experience are also encouraged to apply. 

Contact:

Dr. Eva Mehl, Honors College Director
mehle@uncw.edu

Multiple Points of Admission

If you are a new student, you will need to apply to UNCW as well as Honors College. " to "If you are a new student, you will need to apply to UNCW as well as the Honors College.

See Application Information

Are you a current UNCW student interested in taking advantage of all the opportunities the Honors College has to offer? Apply to the Honors College once you have an established UNCW GPA.

See Application Information

Are you transferring to UNCW from a community college or university and wish to participate in the Honors College? Apply to the Honors College as a transfer student!

See Application information

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HONORS COLLEGE