Honors Program
The 黑料吃瓜 Honors Program invites exceptional students to experience the world more attentively and empathetically, to engage it critically and creatively, and to participate actively in its betterment.
We seek students who want to get the most out of the academic opportunities college offers, and in return聽desire to contribute to a better world after graduation. With this vision in mind, each year 黑料吃瓜 admits a select group of promising first-year students to join聽the Honors Program. The program is available to qualifying first-year students regardless of major.
Our program鈥檚 mission stems from North Park鈥檚 mission to prepare students for lives of significance and service. The Honors Program includes both聽classroom and co-curricular activities聽during all four years of a traditional undergraduate degree program. It customizes a rich and rigorous program for highly motivated, curious, and intellectually advanced students. We seek students willing to take some risks in their college education, so they can discover their own voice. As a Christian university centered in the city of Chicago, the Honors Program challenges our students to deepen their sense of vocation within diverse communities, broaden the application of their talents in new and unexpected ways, and practice a civic responsibility in contemporary contexts.
By completing the program, you鈥檒l graduate with honors and distinction in your major and a resume of college classes and experiences to further your success after graduation. The program expects that our graduates will have utilized their college years to the fullest so that upon graduation they will be mature and capable persons, ready to show the world new possibilities.
Admission to the Honors Program
Admission to the first-year Honors Program is selective, based on potential and motivation for advanced academic success.
If you would like to learn more about the program, the process, and receive an application, please fill out the form.
Honors Program Opportunities
The Honors Program is a group of students from all聽聽who study and work together and closely interact with faculty mentors from a variety of departments and disciplines. If you characterize yourself as highly motivated, ready to be challenged and to challenge others, then this group will be a great fit for you. With the Honors Program, you鈥檒l gain access to a broad range of campus and Chicago resources that will help shape and inspire your future endeavors.
Connecting with Faculty Mentors
From dinners with mentors and guest speakers to opportunities to meet professors across the university, you鈥檒l be inspired by the stories and experiences of North Park鈥檚 own expert faculty. You鈥檒l also gain valuable career advice, connections to possible internships or graduate programs and fellowships, and encouragement to excel.
Exploring Chicago
Chicago is a rich resource for inspiration and exploration. As a group, the Honors Program attends plays, concerts, readings, and other cultural experiences chosen by you and your peers. During the聽first-year honors seminars, your two professors will use Chicago as text and context for class discussions. Students consistently report back that these are some of their favorite memories from their first year in the cohort.
Finding Community
One of the best aspects of the Honors Program is the community of learners you will be a part of from your very first week in the program. The first year includes two courses, one in each semester, with your fellow honors students. In these classrooms, you will explore some of life鈥檚 big questions, engage in some truly great thinkers and artists, and discover and use your own unique voice in discussion with others.聽The space is highly interactive, conversation, and trusting. It鈥檚 the perfect way to start off college with a group of highly motivated students and caring faculty.
Fellowships and Awards
The Honors Program has an excellent track record with winning national fellowships, particularly the聽聽for recent college graduates. In the past seven years, North Park honors students have been awarded 14聽聽to spend their first year after college living and working in other countries, sharing who they are as Americans with students, colleagues, and communities. The professors involved in the Honors Program will work with you as you prepare an impressive portfolio that will help you be competitive for academic and professional opportunities after college. Your professors will serve as advisors, providing advice and feedback as you apply for these exciting post-college options.