Four-Year Honors Program

First-time undergraduates enter Honors as part of our four-year program. This program includes required coursework and culminates in a faculty-mentored capstone, in one of three formats (research thesis, creative thesis, or portfolio).

Honors Mākālei Portal

The Honors program uses a special website, the Honors Mākālei portal, to help you keep track of all of your requirements. Please be sure to log into Mākālei at least once a semester to make sure you are on the right path. We also recommend regular advising (1-2 times a year) for all Honors students.

Required Advising

  • Schedule an appointment with an Honors advisor at least once a year. Once a semester is recommended for students in high-credit majors or who want to incorporate a special experience like study abroad.
  • Attend mandatory sophomore & senior year group advising sessions
    • Sophomore year: bridge session
    • Senior year: graduation info session

Required Courses

Use the course planning tool to select courses that are right for your major and Honors program type.

Freshman and Sophomore Year

  • By end of year two, complete three courses:
    • 1 A-Section course (general education course offered to Honors students by a partner department). If you have already completed your general education requirements, speak to an Honors advisor about waiving this requirement.
    • 2 Honors courses. We recommend HON 101: Introduction to Research at UH Mānoa, plus one other Honors course.
  • Once you declare your major, complete the Department Approval Form on the Mākālei portal

Junior Year

Senior Year

  • HON 494: Honors Workshop (0 credits, online / asynchronous)
  • Two semesters of HON 496 or 499 in major (or other approved course from major department) to work on your project
  • Attend Honors Graduation Information Session
  • Submit senior project to Honors
  • Given an oral presentation at Undergraduate Showcase