Honors Program

Program Type
Undergraduate Minor
Credential
Undergraduate Minor
Mode of Study
In person
Department
Honors Program

Program Highlights

  • Join an invitation-based learning community of fellow high-achieving students dedicated to intellectual curiosity and creativity.
  • Take advantage of the opportunity to earn a competitive scholarship that is renewable for up to four years.
  • Spend time abroad and complete an interdisciplinary course at one of our exchange universities.
  • Pursue discipline-specific, faculty-mentored research projects and internships to prepare you for graduate programs or employment.
  • Co-author peer-reviewed journals or manuscripts and present your work at national conferences.
  • Immerse yourself in a curriculum rooted in community engagement, leadership, social responsibility, and lively collaboration.
A student works on a craft project, alongside two other students. They all smile for the camera.

Individualized experiential learning

Students have access to individualized and discipline-specific options for experiential learning, including personalized internship placement, honors-specific study abroad experiences, and merit-based scholarship opportunities that encourage community engagement.

A group of students smile and laugh together at a campus cultural event.

Vibrant living, community-focused

You’ll be invited to live in a supportive learning community, which fosters a dynamic and social environment for students to study or collaborate in between classes. It also provides convenient access to exclusive events and organizations.

Two students study together in the library, with books and laptops on a large table.

Distinguish yourself after graduation

Our program will prepare you for robust career opportunities that have a meaningful community impact. Our alumni are also accepted into nationally recognized PhD and graduate programs in business, law, social work, philosophy, and more.

“In the Honors Program, I feel a sense of a close-knit community that deeply cares for one another and values diversity. Faculty and staff are supportive and work hard to help make goals and dreams of students a reality. I feel proud to be a Husky!”
— Ashley Salguero-Gonzalez ‘23
Ashley Salguero-Gonzalez ‘23 smiles for the camera while wearing a blue dress and white cardigan.
Two students sit in a study room and study together.

Program requirements

The Honors Program is an interdisciplinary minor and learning community that provides high-achieving students a rigorous curriculum for addressing complex challenges beyond the classroom. You’ll interact with peers in seminar-style courses and receive individualized support from exceptional faculty.

Two students paint a wall during the Husky Day of Service.

Learning beyond the classroom

Join like-minded students and extend your learning beyond the classroom through the Honors Student Organization (HSO). You’ll focus your efforts on service, community building, and professional development both on and off campus.

A group of USM students pose together at an Icelandic cultural and natural site.

Develop a global perspective

We offer an optional study-abroad 4-week course that challenges students to understand complex issues from multiple perspectives. You’ll immerse yourself in an international location for part of the time while the remaining weeks are spent in Maine.

Three students participate in the Husky Day of Service and do yard work together.

Scholarships for Honors students

Scholarships offer financial aid that doesn’t need to be repaid. The Honors Leadership Development Scholarship includes a community engagement requirement and encourages students to develop their leadership and interpersonal skills. Additional opportunities are available.

An aerial view of our Portland campus and the East End of the Portland peninsula.

Diverse, accomplished faculty

Our accomplished faculty represent a diverse academic background dedicated to providing you with a well-rounded and enriching learning experience. They regularly present their work at national conferences and publish in journals and books.

A group of students sit at a row of desks and listen to a lecture.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Honors Program provides high-achieving students with a diverse curriculum, devoted faculty and staff, and a collaborative environment that emphasizes research, community engagement, leadership, social responsibility, and intellectual independence.

Next steps

Our helpful admissions counselors are here to answer your questions about the admissions process, our academic programs, and student support services. We also invite you to explore the many ways to visit campus or to engage with us through online experiences.

Get info
Visit
Apply