Honors Program Benefits

Students in the University Honors Program have the privilege of registering for their classes in advance of their classmates in the general student population. This is to ensure UHP students have access to all classes needed to keep them on track for an on-time graduation.

Honors students may receive centrally located suite-style and/or apartment-style housing that provides an optimal living and learning environment. It is limited and based upon availability on a first-come, first-served basis.  Students in the Honors Living and Learning Communities support and encourage one another through a close-knit community, stimulating activities and discussions, and student study sessions.

All University Honors Program students are assigned an honors advisor for their freshmen and sophomore years.  This advisor is equally knowledgeable about Honors Program requirements and general education requirements to ensure students are fulfilling the expectations for both programs.  Once students officially join their major departments (most often junior year), they will be mentored by a department honors liaison who will ensure they continue to progress in the Honors Program while still excelling within their disciplines.

Students who complete the University Honors Program requirements will receive the academic distinction of "University Honors Program" designated on their official academic transcript, giving added value when the students apply for graduate programs and professional employment. A special recognition dinner is also held each year for students who complete the program and for those who earn a 4.0-grade-point average in at least one semester during the previous calendar year.

Members of the University Honors Program have the opportunity to develop their leadership skills by running for elected positions on our Honors Student Council. This executive board provides valuable input into program initiatives and activity planning.  More specifically, this group serves as the liaison between the director and student members to ensure quality programming, provide student input, create community service opportunities, and assist with student engagement.

Students receive specialized intellectual, cultural, and professional development, including participation in forums with faculty and guest lecturers. They attend professional conferences where academic research and projects are presented and professional networks are fostered. The program also facilitates professional branding through a professional development program that includes workshops on resume-writing and interviewing skills, culminating in mock interviews with regional, national, and global corporations.

University Honors Program students are connected with campus partners, corporate partners in the Research Triangle Park (RTP) and beyond, and honors students at other institutions.  In addition, they have exclusive access to apply for fellowships that will give them meaningful research experiences and mentorship by outstanding faculty along with professional development opportunities that will make them attractive candidates as they pursue future goals.

The North Carolina Central University NC-Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation Fellowship (NC-LSAMP) is funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), and its purpose is to increase the presence of underrepresented groups in STEM fields. 

WomenNC is a leadership program that gives young ladies from surrounding universities the opportunity to engage in research and one-on-one mentoring from colleagues at RTI International, a non-profit institute dedicated to improving the human condition. The program combines actionable social science research with public policy recommendations and advocacy training to improve the lives of women and girls. Over the course of 10 months, the WomenNC scholars identify a research issue and complete a project that addresses the issue. It culminates with the WomenNC Scholars presenting their research at local, national, and potentially international conferences, such as the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women.

The Graduate School Exposure Tour (GSET) is a program connecting NCCU scholars to graduate programs across the country.  This annual tour has two purposes: connectivity to graduate schools and cultural enrichment.  GSET provides access to graduate/professional schools through visits and tours while also assisting students with the application process.  Critical applicant skills addressed include interviewing and preparation of resumes and personal statements.

GSET challenges sociopolitical, ecological, and psychosocial barriers impeding learners’ access to nationally competitive research institutions.  Successful GSET participants can establish various partnerships, including direct relationships with deans, faculty, admissions counselors, program directors, current students, and other key stakeholders.  These partners can provide guidance and support to NCCU students applying to these universities.  GSET aspires to create a pipeline in which NCCU students are projected to partner with world-class universities.

To be eligible, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Currently be enrolled at NCCU as a full-time student
• Intend to pursue graduate/professional study
• Submit a complete GSET application
• Participate in a panel interview consisting of GSET advisors
• Maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher
• Have an abridged version of a personal statement and a detailed curriculum vitae or resume
• Complete the GSET preparatory workshops
• Provide a deposit upon notification of acceptance for GSET

UHP students engage in scholarly research within their classes, with faculty mentors, and through co-curricular experiences.  Upon completion of that research, students are encouraged to present their findings at local, regional, and national honors and discipline-specific conferences. Honors conferences where UHP students have attended and presented research include the North Carolina Honors Association, the Southern Regional Honors Council, the National College Honors Council, the National Association for African American Honors Programs, and Alpha Kappa Mu Honor Society.

The Leadership Alliance (TLA) was founded in 1992 at Brown University and is a national consortium of 37 academic institutions and research sites dedicated to increasing access for underrepresented groups to graduate training programs and diversifying academia and the research workforce. It is focused on students wanting to earn Ph.D.s or M.D./Ph.D.s. NCCU's membership in The Leadership Alliance gives our students access to apply for summer research internships at all Ivy League institutions and other Research I universities.  Additionally, students can engage in several virtual professional development and enrichment activities throughout the year.

Students are encouraged to participate in study-abroad opportunities and inter-institutional coursework at major universities, including in the Research Triangle. Several institutions offer courses that put students in contact with others with whom they may later enroll in graduate or professional school.  For more information, contact the Office of International Affairs and the National Student Exchange.

UHP Connect pairs upper-class and first-year honors students to engage in dynamic social and academic mentoring in the journey to becoming a world changer at NCCU and beyond. Mentors and mentees in UHP Connect are grouped with classmates in their major from all disciplines. #UHP Connect Families are encouraged to engage in several activities together, including UHP-sponsored activities,  social activities, university events and study groups. The overall goal is to make sure all students feel connected and have a group of peers to serve as resources and sources of support.