Completion of Honors
Although students do not graduate from the University Honors Program (UHP) with a major or minor, completing all 24 credit hours of the program entitles the student to a special distinction of University Honors on their transcripts and diploma from The University of New Mexico.
Curriculum in Honors
To successfully complete the University Honors Program students will need to accumulate 24 credit hours in UHP seminars. All students must take:
- (1) 100-level "Legacy" (121/122) worth 3 credit hours
- (1) 200-level (221/222) worth 3 credit hours
- (1) 300-level (301/302) worth 3 credit hours
- (1) 400-level (401/402) worth 3 credit hours
- (2) Honors Electives (can be any level; however, 100-levels are reserved for incoming freshmen and new students first and foremost)
- Finally the students will need to select a Senior Option to round out the Honors experience. Each option is worth 6 credit hours.
The University Honors Program also requires that students complete a multicultural experience through Honors and Non-Honors courses (minimum 6 credit hours or comparable).
Senior Exit Packets
(Available February 1 for Spring Graduates and September 1 for Fall Graduates)
Seniors are responsible for notifying the UHP office of their intent to graduate with a Senior Exit Packet at the beginning of their last semester at UNM. Packets are partially completed on-line with supplemental materials brought to the UHP Office. The packets have a crucial deadline, Spring 2012 - March 28, 2012 at 5:00 p.m., which is set in order to comply with the UNM Graduation Office, which ensures that seniors' names and distinctions in University Honors are included on UNM's main commencement program, as well as printed on official transcripts and diplomas.
Before you begin a Senior Review Form, WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU REVIEW THE SENIOR EXIT PACKET CHECKLIST AND SAMPLE SENIOR REVIEW FORM. Because you cannot save your progress on the Senior Review Form, have your responses ready before you begin. The UHP office will not accept handwritten Senior Review Forms.
COMPLETE THE SENIOR REVIEW FORM HERE!! A copy of your completed Senior Review Form will be emailed to you upon completion.
Exit Interviews
An essential component of the Senior Exit Packet process is the Exit Interview. The Exit Interview is a unique conversation wherein students will be asked to assimilate their good and bad experiences in Honors and the University as a whole. This is conducted between a graduating senior and a continuing faculty member in the UHP. Once the Senior Exit Packet has been completed, seniors will receive the name and contact information of the faculty member with whom they will be interviewed by. Seniors are responsible for contacting their interviewer and arranging the time, date, and location of this meeting. Prior to the interview, faculty members will review the senior's file along with all of the documents and evaluations from other UHP instructors.
Levels of Honors
The University Honors Committee meets at the end of each semester to review the records of each graduating senior. Levels of Honors are awarded on the basis of GPA, success in UHP seminars, instructor evaluations, risks taken in UHP seminars, breadth of all academic course work, outside activities, and contributions to both the University and community. Levels of Honors are cum laude, magna cum laude, and summa cum laude.
More information on how UHP determines Levels of Honors for seniors' can be found here.
International Designation
In an effort to promote global awareness through international academic programs, the University Honors Program grants their students recognition for international education. This international designation will appear on the student’s Honors graduation certificate as, With Distinction in International Studies, and the student will receive a special cord. In order to qualify for this distinction students must complete a minimum of 18 credit hours in two of the following conditions with a grade of B or better; or, in the case of Honors courses, A or CR:
- Complete an international academic experience: Intersession, Summer or Semester program and earn a minimum of 6 credit hours;
- Complete a minimum of twelve credit hours in a foreign language or provide verification of language proficiency provided by an appropriate UNM department; and/or
- Complete a minimum of twelve credit hours on international topics.
Senior Recognition Ceremony
(Spring 2012 - Friday, May 11th, 2012 at 7 p.m. in the Continuing Education)
At the end of the fall and spring semesters, the UHP hosts a Senior Recognition Ceremony where graduating seniors, family and friends can celebrate.
