Honors options for Tippie students

Tippie students are able to work towards honors graduation in two ways.

University Honors

The University Honors Program, also referred to as “Honors at Iowa,” is a membership-based program open to students with a strong academic record and commitment to membership in the Honors community. You can graduate with University Honors by completing honors-designated coursework and experiential learning opportunities.  A great way to satisfy the experiential learning requirement is to complete an honors thesis project through Honors in the Major. To learn more about eligibility and graduation requirements, visit University Honors.

Honors in the Major

In addition the University Honors Program, Tippie offers an honors graduation designation specifically for undergraduate business students. ‘Honors in the Major’ can be earned by completing additional requirements within your major.

How it works

Through Honors in the Major, you’ll complete a research project under the mentorship of a Tippie faculty member, resulting in an honors thesis. You’ll have the opportunity to delve deep into a topic that interests you and develop expertise in your subject area. We’ll support you throughout your experience and connect you with a community of business honors students.

Benefits

  • Dedicated honors advisor and faculty Director of Honors
  • Connections with Tippie’s world-class faculty
  • Opportunity to write an original thesis and develop expertise that prepares you for graduate school or distinguishes you as an expert in the job market

Eligibility

Honors in the Major requirements include:

  • 3.5 GPAs at graduation: cumulative, UI, business, UI business
  • Three-semester research and thesis project:
    • Semester 1: Completion of BUS:1999 Introduction to Research in Business
    • Semesters 2 and 3: Thesis project with a faculty member in your field
  • Poster presentation of your research at the Undergraduate Research Festival

Getting started

The Honors advisor in the Undergraduate Program Office holds Honors advising hours during the academic year. There are a few ways to sign up:

  • Look out for an email invitation from the Honors advisor to schedule a one-on-one meeting.
  • Contact the Undergraduate Program Office front desk and ask to be connected to the Honors advisor to schedule an Honors advising appointment:
  • Complete the registration form and the Honors advisor will be in touch.

Register for honors

Build community with top Tippie scholars

The Tippie Business Honor Society is open to Tippie students whose UI GPA places them in the top 10% of their class.  Tippie Business Honor Society members build community through social events and opportunities to dive deeper into business research topics.  Invitations are issued each January, and membership runs for a 12-month period.

Planning your Honors experience

Key goals include aiming for 3.5 GPAs, completing 12 credits of Honors coursework, and completing a thesis in your final year.  Follow our yearly guide to be best prepared to graduate with both University Honors and Honors in the Major at Tippie.

Also explore: academic distinctions

Looking for more ways to add to your credentials? Check out academic distinctions and honor societies.