Undergraduate Catalog

Honors Program

Email: Honors@wiu.edu

Program Offerings and Locations

  • Honors Scholar Designation: Macomb, Quad Cities, Online
  • Minor in Pre-Law Honors: Macomb

Honors in the Major

Western Illinois University's Honors in the Major program provides academically accomplished students with the opportunity to pursue an enriched educational experience within their chosen  discipline. Working closely with faculty mentors, students engage in advanced coursework, in-course honors projects, and, in many academic programs, more extensive scholarly, creative, or  professional experiences tailored to their field of study. Because Honors in the Major is  discipline-specific, requirements vary by academic program while maintaining a commitment to  academic excellence, independent inquiry, and faculty mentorship.

Students who successfully complete the requirements graduate with the designation of Honors  Scholar, which is recognized at commencement and noted on the student's official Western  Illinois University transcript. Honors students may also be eligible for designated scholarships  and other academic opportunities.

For more information, please contact Associate Dean Keith Boeckelman for programs in the  College of Humanities, Arts, Sciences, and Education at KA-Boeckelman@wiu.edu

(309-298-1828) or Associate Dean Pete Jorgensen for programs in the College of Business,

Health, Community Programs at PF-Jorgensen@wiu.edu (309-298-2242).

Pre-Law Honors Minor

The Pre-Law Honors minor is a unique interdisciplinary minor for students who are enrolled in the Honors Program and who plan careers in law. The curriculum for this minor is designed to provide students with skills and knowledge important as a foundation for the study of law. Emphasis is given to the development of effective written and oral communication, analytical and critical reasoning, and an understanding of institutions, social processes, and human values important to legal studies. Students from all majors are eligible for this honors option, and upon completion of the requirements will graduate as Honors Scholars.

Pre-Law Honors Minor : 21 s.h.
  • A minimum overall and honors coursework GPA of 3.40
  • 21 s.h. from Categories A and B below
  • 18 s.h. as honors hours with the option of : 6 s.h. honors hours in General Honors
  • A minimum of 12 s.h. honors hours from Categories A and B
  • 18 s.h. outside of the major (one course may count toward the major and this minor)
Category A (complete all with or without honors credit)

ACCT 200 or 201; COMM 247; PHIL 120, 140

Category B (complete 9 s.h. with or without honors credit)

BC&J 400; B L 230; ECON 232; HIST 303; LEJA 212, 312; PHIL 420, 440; POLS 319, 402, 410, 411, 448; SOC 355, 463