Honors/special programs

Honors programs

Students with superior scholastic credentials may apply to one of four honors programs. Students must apply for these honors programs when they apply for freshman admission to Northwestern.

  • Engineering and journalism This program prepares exceptional students for communications careers emphasizing engineering, science, and technology. Students earn a bachelor's degree from McCormick and a master's degree from the Medill School of Journalism, usually in five years of study.
  • Medical education The Honors Program in Medical Education (HPME) is designed for unusually gifted and highly motivated students who seek careers in medicine or medical science. HPME students participate in a flexible, individualized program that shortens the length of premedical study by one year. A select group of freshmen are admitted to the program each year and are simultaneously admitted to Northwestern University Medical School.
  • Undergraduate research This selective program offers students the opportunity to work as early as freshman year on a substantial research project with a faculty mentor. Research begun by undergraduates is carried through to a PhD program and degree.

Special programs