Honors Program

Why Honors? Here's why: 

You're the kind of student who seeks greater challenge in the classroom. You're the first one with your hand raised. You're not satisfied with knowing the what; you need to know the how and the why, too. Yes, you're a dancer, a journalist, an artist, a marketing genius-but you're also an intellectual. You understand that you create (whether it's a sculpture, a performance, or an ad campaign) for an audience. You create for a societal context.

The Honors Program at Columbia College Chicago provides that context in a way that goes deeper and asks more of you as a student - because you're ready to give more.

So, who are you?

• I have a 3.5 GPA and want to declare Honors

  Great decision! Here are just a few benefits of being an Honors student at Columbia:

  • Honors-only floors in residence halls. You'll live with other Honors students—and Honors resident assistants—in the Honors community.
  • You can attend exclusive social events and educational trips around the city, and participate in Honors-only activities on campus.
  • You'll enjoy smaller class sizes with the "best of the best" of our faculty, who will provide you with an intense intellectual experience and a rewarding academic challenge.
  • You'll have a leg up after graduation, when your Honors designation will show up on your transcripts.
• I don't have a 3.5 GPA but want to take Honors courses

  If you aren't eligible for Honors but want to take Honors classes, don't worry! Work hard this semester so you can increase your grade point average. Once you have a 3.5 cumulative GPA, you can take Honors classes. 

  For assistance, talk to your academic advisor, or email honors@colum.edu. We hope to see you in a future semester!

• I have a 3.5 GPA and want to take Honors classes, but don't want to declare Honors

  Good news: even if you're not officially in the Honors program, you can take Honors classes if you have at least a 3.5 cumulative GPA! 

  Talk to your advisor about an Honors class that interests you. Available Honors courses may be found here. However, if you plan to complete 15 hours of Honors credits, we strongly encourage you to declare Honors so your academic record can track these courses in your Advising Guide and you can earn the designation on your transcript upon graduation.

Ready to declare Honors? Sign into MyColumbia and go to the MyAcademics tab to declare.

You can also email honors@colum.edu.