About University Honors

Education at Loyola meets students where they are, whether it's in the classroom, the residence halls, or in the community. The Loyola experience is one of opportunity and success, starting with the first semester a student sets foot on campus.

The Loyola University New Orleans Honors Program works in close partnership with the College of Humanities and Natural Sciences to offer a rich and diverse interdisciplinary curriculum taught by some of the best faculty, with exceptional opportunities for individual learning and serious thinking.

Our Honors classes challenge and stimulate students to achieve their full intellectual potential. Primary sources rather than textbooks commonly provide the core of Honors reading assignments, and writing projects demand a level of analysis and expression beyond the expectations within a regular classroom.

The University Honors Program is open to qualified students of all undergraduate colleges and majors. Apply to the University Honors Program »

Honors courses replace certain Common Curriculum requirements throughout the four undergraduate years, and therefore do not add to the number of requirements for graduation.

Once accepted into the University Honors Program, students are required to maintain a 3.3 grade point average.

Curriculum

First-year Honors students take the Honors First-Year Seminar in their initial semester and take an Honors Interdisciplinary Humanities Seminar in the first or second semester. In the semesters following that introduction, Honors students must take at least one course in each of the following areas: English, philosophy, religious studies, history, social/behavioral science, natural science, mathematics, and fine arts. Honors seniors develop a research or creative project under the direction of a faculty sponsor, and in the spring, give a public presentation of their work. View our curriculum »

Most Honors courses are small, thematic seminars with an emphasis on writing and discussion. As part of our Jesuit tradition, the courses are value-centered and aim at establishing interdisciplinary connections. View our current course descriptions »

Co-Curricular Activities

The Honors Program sponsors many cultural events both on and off campus, including excursions to the opera, the symphony, the theater, and art museums. Opportunities also abound for community service projects. Faculty who are experts in the particular cultural activity often accompany or present introductory programs to students to give larger context and meaning to the experience.

While co-curricular activities are optional, most students choose to participate in at least some of the programs.