Honors College

Highly acclaimed living-learning programs for students with exceptional academic talents in a close-knit community of faculty and undergraduates committed to acquiring a broad and balanced education.

Honors College Seminars

Honors College students have exclusive access to exciting interdisciplinary courses offered in the honors living-learning programs, and to special honors versions of traditional classes hosted by academic departments.

UMD receives $5M NSF Grant for Next Generation of Cyber Leaders

UMD has been awarded a $5 million grant from the National Science Foundation to fund scholarships for students in ACES, the first undergraduate honors program in cybersecurity in the U.S.

DCC Director Receives Smithsonian Fellowship

DCC Director, Dr. Krista Caballero receives 2017 Smithsonian Artist Research Fellowship for her project, "Birding the Future."

UMD Ranked No. 8 in Entrepreneurship

EIP offers exceptional undergraduates the training and resources necessary to create innovative and impactful solutions, helping to make UMD No. 8 in Entrepreneurship Studies.

GEMS Alumna Named in Forbes' "30 Under 30" List

Gemstone alumna, Natalya Gallo '11, featured in Forbes' "30 Under 30" Science list for her research achievements.

The Honors College

The Honors College is home to Maryland’s highly acclaimed living-learning programs for students with exceptional academic talents. The Honors College welcomes students into a close-knit community of faculty and intellectually gifted undergraduates committed to acquiring a broad and balanced education. The Honors College features small classes taught by outstanding faculty who encourage discussion and foster innovative thinking. Each year, approximately 1000 undergraduates are welcomed into this highly selective program.

Honors College is all about the people — a truly exceptional group of people. Honors scholars are lively students from all majors who are intellectually curious, creative, and inspired by diverse ideas. Combine excellent students with superb faculty in small classes and the result is a power-packed and highly effective learning environment. Honors students thrive in this stimulating environment, develop lasting friendships, and succeed in their academic and professional pursuits.

Upcoming Events

Honors Events

Honors College Living-Learning Programs

Discover Honors' Living-Learning Programs

Living-Learning Programs are specialized residential programs that offer students direct connections to faculty and academic departments. Students in these living-learning communities can explore thematic programs with sequential courses or design an honors curriculum based on their academic interests. The Honors College programs are:

ACES - Cybersecurity
Design Cultures & Creativity
Entrepreneurship & Innovation
Gemstone
Honors Humanities
Integrated Life Sciences
University Honors

Honors Students

EIP Sophomore Invents Device with UMD Team to Detect Alzheimer's

Chris Look, an EIP sophomore majoring in bioengineering, is a part of the award-winning Team Synapto, who have created an affordable, accessible device for diagnosing Alzheimer's disease. Team Synapto took top honors in NIH's Design by Biomedical Undergraduate Teams competition, receiving a $20,000 award. Learn more about Team Synapto's innovative prototype.

Honors College Faculty

Gibran Chair to Support Women Leaders in MENA region

The University of Marlyand was awarded a $2.5 million grant for the Women as Partners in Progress project, headed by Gibran Chair Director May Rihani. Rihani is a pioneer in girls’ education and a tireless advocate of women’s rights and empowerment. She will teach HONR359Z: The Social Expectations of Gender Roles in the Middle East and North Africa in spring 2018. Read more about UMD's grant.