Honors students studying in the Wentz Science Center.

North Central College Honors Program

Visit Options Honors Program Application

Apply to the Honors Program

Thank you for your interest in the Honors Program! Apply to the program by submitting an application and by sending a letter of recommendation from a teacher to honors@noctrl.edu.

Apply to Honors Program Now

Go Beyond the Classroom

Our prestigious and rigorous Honors Program provides a unique opportunity for you to expand and demonstrate your knowledge beyond the traditional classroom. Hear from our students and how they put their education into practice.

What is the Honors Program?

The Honors Program is designed for students, pursuing any major, who are interested in taking intellectual risks and engaging in rigorous and meaningful work. It is an opportunity to test and push your limits with the support of expert faculty and encouragement of fellow honors students.

What makes the program unique?

You will be surrounded and supported by students who also enjoy discovering new concepts, examining contemporary topics from different perspectives and working to become leaders in their fields. The program is designed for students with the motivation to make the most of their college experience. We know the Honors Program is great, but you don’t have to take our word for it—we’ll let our students tell their stories.

Honor Students Stories

Why should I apply?

There are so many reasons to apply, but we will narrow the list to just three:

1. Marketable Skills

Participating in the Honors Program speaks volumes about your abilities and aspirations—and future employers and graduate schools are listening. Employers and graduate programs say they are seeking candidates with the ability to collect and analyze information, collaborate within a team and demonstrate independent initiative. Your honors courses and thesis project will equip you with these and many other essential skills.

2. Community of Support

You will be supported by a community of high-achieving peers and professors who will sharpen your inquiry skills and help you achieve your goals. But we also have a lot of fun! We host social and cultural events designed to foster relationships and create lasting memories. Past events include:

Back to School Picnic to kick off the school year
Happy Hours after midterms each semester
Honor Salons at which faculty are invited to share their innovative research
Seasonal events: Fall Festival, Winter Formal Dance, Spring Banquet
Field Trips to Chicago

3. Recognition at Graduation

Your completion of the Honors Program will be featured on your official North Central transcript and highlighted in the Commencement program. The Honors Program will conclude with a special cording ceremony during which your thesis director will present you with your honors cords. Along with your fellow honors graduates, you will proudly wear those cords as you cross the Commencement stage.

How does the Honors Program fit with my major?

The Honors Program is different from your high school honors or AP courses. Rather than taking an honors section of a chemistry or math class, honors courses at North Central are unique courses that will be spread out across semesters throughout the duration of your time here. The number of specific honors courses you take is smaller than the amount needed for a minor.

Program Requirements Overview

What is the Honors Thesis?

Your honors thesis is the capstone course for the Honors Program. You get the opportunity to work one-on-one with an expert faculty member on a project you design together. It might sound overwhelming, but it’s an incredible experience. You chart the course for this year-long independent study. Past areas of research include:

Traditional research based on laboratory work
Analysis of a piece of art or a significant text in your field
Artistic performance
Experimental social science study
Extended business plan
Community-based research project with a local organization

Living Learning Communities

As an honors student, you have the option to live in a residence hall only available to students in the Honors Program. We call this a “living learning community.” The living learning community provides access to faculty, study spaces and specialized social and cultural programs. Honors housing is not traditional freshman housing, therefore, there may be a difference in cost. Traditionally, the honors living learning community is housed in Ward and Patterson Halls.