The Honors Programs

Honors programs are distinctive in their emphasis on interdisciplinary study which encourages students to forge connections among the ideas introduced from different disciplines. This process of forging connections helps students to develop an independence of thought and a broadness of perspective in their education and on the world.

"Everybody in the Honors College came from the top of their high school. It's good to be in an environment where everyone is self-motivated. You can set your own standard, not in competition with the others, but to reach your own potential." - Charity Hoffman

The City University of New York's Honors College

The CUNY Honors College each year accepts a select group of outstanding freshmen - called University Scholars - to participate in a special and challenging program. University Scholars study with the best of the College's outstanding faculty, participate in interdisciplinary seminars that combine cultural experiences with academic study and make use of the vast resources of New York City. Students admitted to the program receive free tuition for four years, an academic expense account to assist them in studying abroad or other intellectually enriching activities, a textbook allowance, and a free laptop computer. Students also receive special academic advising, early registration priority, a Cultural Passport offering free or reduced admission to museums, theater, dance and other performances, and numerous additional educational benefits.

"As an Honors College recipient, I chose to come to Queens based on my brother's experiences on Campus. He thought I'd be especially interested in the BALA program. And he was right. My BALA classes connect my liberal arts education to the world of business; and that's where I'm heading. Along with that, I chose to take advantage of the Career Development Workshops. These workshops focus on job interviewing skills while suggesting internships that are right for me. I'm only 19, but I think I've got a great start here at Queens College." - Cathy Jung

The Freshman Honors Program

Freshman Honors sets the foundation for a student's education by providing a specially-designed liberal arts curriculum of interrelated classes that emphasize critical thinking, writing and presentation. The program incorporates experiences, such as visits to cultural events and institutions, and interactive student-centered pedagogies, which help students to integrate the work they complete in their honors classes. Students from all majors participate in Freshman Honors; the program therefore creates an interactive community where students share ideas across disciplines. On completing Freshman Honors, students may enter one of the divisional honors programs offered by the college.

Queens College Divisional Honors Programs

Honors in the Humanities, open to students in all majors on campus, emphasizes the use of careful reading, critical writing and discussion to study the origins of contemporary artistic and intellectual culture. In small classes that are interdisciplinary in orientation, students focus on classic works of literature, philosophy, and art in the context in which the works emerged. Honors in the Humanities places great emphasis on the exchange of ideas between students and faculty, and encourages students to examine the implication of the ideas they explore in their classes on the contemporary world around them. Students in this program enjoy access to an extensive honors library, and receive special advisement and early registration priority.

Honors in the Mathematical and Natural Sciences provides students with strong interests in math and science opportunities to develop close mentoring relationships with research faculty. Students in the program gain early access to research options and are encouraged through faculty guidance to pursue a research project to its successful conclusion. The program also provides a forum for interaction among students pursuing degrees in the natural and physical sciences and helps foster interaction among students with similar abilities and interests. Students who participate in Honors in Math and Natural Sciences frequently continue on to medical school or pursue other advanced degrees in the sciences.

"I selected Queens College over Barnard primarily because of Honors in the Mathematical and Natural Sciences. The program enabled me to begin conducting research as a freshman. I'm now working on a project with an advanced graduate student, and we will soon submit our results for publication. Faculty in the program encourage students to start serious research early so they can leave college with a professional publication." - Rachel Schnur