Honors Program

You have to be “brainy” to take honors, right?

That’s partly right, but not the whole story. You also need an interest in thinking for yourself. In hands-on learning, research, and creative activities. In joining other students and faculty in discussions, projects, field trips, and cultural experiences. And, in earning a diploma with magna or summa cum laude honors.

Our Mission

The University Honors Program strives to engage students in interdisciplinary academics to develop their innate sense of curiosity and empower them to expand their intellectual endeavors beyond the classroom by engaging in discussion, conversation, and research.

The Honors Program provides unique learning opportunities, contributes to a culture of undergraduate research and intellectual inquiry, and fosters a sense of scholarly community that helps create lifetime learners. Both future and current students may apply.

Interdisciplinary Approach

Think critically.

Students will encounter, articulate, and apply concepts, tools, and methodologies from multiple disciplines critically in University Honors Program courses.

photo from undergraduate research conference

Effective Communication

Ideation and presentation.

Students will be able to express ideas and arguments clearly and precisely in multiple formats, including written and oral presentations of their work.

Research

Observe. Question. Hypothesize.

Students will execute a quality research project, using appropriate disciplinary and academic skills, which will result in a thesis.

Community Engagement

Get involved.

Students will engage in activities that promote engagement with the program, wider university, civic, and globally through a variety of activities.

Honors Community Events

To enhance the Honors experience outside the classroom, we offer a variety of Honors Cultural Events. These might include lectures, presentations by fellow Honors students, or even social events.

Learn About Our Events

Graduating with Honors

Butler University awards three levels of general university honors and three levels of departmental honors.

Explore Honors Distinctions

Featured Story

What is it Like to be an Honors Student at Butler?

“When I was first applying for college, I noticed a section in the Common App that asked if I wanted to participate in the Butler University Honors Program. Intrigued, I looked up more information and learned that the Honors Program at Butler allows you to graduate with University Honors, as well as finish college with a published thesis”

— Cassandra Stec ’23

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