Experiential learning, or learning-by-doing, is the personal acquisition of knowledge through practice. Simply to serve, intern, practice, or experience are not by themselves to engage in experiential learning of the university sort, because the experience can go beyond systematic learning. The closest and often the strongest links held through learning-by-doing are within academic practices. These experiences integrate academic learning and professional practice through practicums, community service, workshops, practice competitions, public demonstrations, and more.
Requirements
- Earn at least 12 honors credits (see semester hour equivalents below) in addition to 12 semester hours of honors coursework by graduation.
- You can start at any time, but must complete all applied experiences at the time of degree conferral to earn University Honors.
Your 12 honors credits can be earned through one or more experiences.
Honors in your major earns you 12 honors credits.
Research earns you up to 12 honors credits:
- URES:3100 ICRU Research Ambassador (1 credit per semester)
- Undergraduate Research Experiences: URES:3992, URES:3993, URES:3994 (1-4 credits per semester)
- URES:3995 ICRU Research Fellow (variable credit per semester)
- HONR:3994 Honors Research Practicum (1-3 credits per semester)
- BIOC:3993, BIOC:4999 Biochemistry Independent Research (variable credit per semester)
- BIOL:3994, BIOL:4999 Research in Biology (variable credit per semester)
- PSY:3994, PSY:3995, PSY:4990 Research in Psychology (variable credit per semester)
Are you participating in research but don't see an option to get honors credit for it above? Fill out the Research Experience Verification Form!
Study Abroad earns you up to 12 honors credits depending on the length of your time abroad:
- up to 2 credits for a 3-5 week experience with reflection process
- up to 3 credits for a 6-9 week experience with reflection process
- up to 4 credits for a 10-15 week experience with reflection process
- Add up to 3 credits by completing an independent project*
*The independent project option is not available for a 3-5 week experience as the duration does not allow enough time for completion.
Internships earn you up to 12 honors credits depending on the length of your internship:
- up to 2 credits for a 3-5 week experience with reflection process
- up to 3 credits for a 6-9 week experience with reflection process
- up to 4 credits for a 10-15 week experience with reflection process
- Add up to 3 credits by completing an independent project*
*The independent project option is not available for a 3-5 week experience as the duration does not allow enough time for completion.
Being an Honors Writing Fellow earns you up to 9 honors credits:
- 3 credits for HONR:3220 Honors Writing Fellows: Writing Theory & Practice
- 2 credits per semester serving as a Writing Fellow, maximum of 6
Iowa Policy Research Organization earns you up to 4 honors credits:
- 1 credit for HONR:3210 Honors Policy Research Practicum (fall only)
- 3 credits for POLI:3127 Legislative Policy Seminar (spring only)
Experiential coursework earns you up to 6 credits through the following options:
- HONR Courses
- HONR:3050 Honors Studies (1-3 credits per semester)
- HONR:3100 Honors Teaching Practicum (1-3 credits per semester)
- HONR:3150 Honors Service Learning (1-3 credits per semester)
- HONR:3170 Honors Outreach Ambassadors (1-2 credits per semester)
- HONR:4990 Honors Thesis or Project (1-3 credits per semester)
- Tippie RISE Courses
- ACCT:3451 Tax Practicum (VITA) II (Spring Only) (2 credits)
- ENTR:4100 International Entrepreneurship & Culture (Spring Only) (2 credits)
- ENTR:4200 Entrepreneurship: Business Consulting (3 credits)
- FIN:4250 Applied Equity Valuation (3 credits)
- FIN:4310 Advanced Corporate Finance (3 credits)
- FIN:4410 Corporate and Financial Risk Management (3 credits)
- FIN:4420 Property and Liability Insurance (Spring Only) (3 credits)
- MGMT:3600 Nonprofit Organizational Effectiveness II (3 credits)
- MKTG:3103 Advanced Marketing Research (3 credits)
- MKTG:3701 Marketing Institute Field Studies (2 credits)
- MKTG:4275 Social Media Marketing (3 credits)
- MSCI:4150 Business Analytics Capstone (3 credits)
- MSCI:4250 BAIS Capstone Project (3 credits)
- MSCI:4350 Information Systems Capstone (3 credits)
- Other Experiential Courses
- BIOL:4897 Teaching Internship in Biology (1-3 credits per semester)
- BIOL:4898 Communicating Research (1 credit per semester)
- PSY:3996 External Practicum in Psychology (1-3 credits per semester)
- PSY:3997 Teaching/Advising Practicum Psychology (1-3 credits per semester)
- RHET:2090 Conversation Practicum (3 credits per semester)
- RHET:4980 Special Projects for Undergraduates (Variable credit per semester)
- BIOC:3800 Biochemistry Teaching Practicum (1-3 credits per semester)
- LATH:3000 Science Communication Skill Building (1 credit)
- LATH:3001 Latham Fellows: Science Outreach Project (2 credits)
- URES:3100 ICRU Research Ambassador (1 credit)
- WRIT:2100 Writing and Community Outreach (3 credits - if students choose the honors section offered)
- Variable credit through Graduate or Professional Coursework
- Please fill out the Graduate Coursework Form to request honors credit for your graduate-level work