TRU is launching a brand-new Honours College in the Fall 2025 semester. The university says this will be a first-of-its-kind program in the country to help students make the most of their time on campus.
The goal of the new certificate is to provide additional learning opportunities for undergraduate students.
According to its developers, seminars and practical hands-on learning experiences will be the core of this project.
“The [initiative] provides a 19-credit pathway for students to enrich their majors through a carefully crafted program of interdisciplinary learning, undergraduate research, and experiential learning opportunities,” Interim Dean of the Faculty of Student Development Will Garrett-Petts said.
Students from different fields of study will be exposed to new ideas in seminars about topics like Secwépemc Understandings and other hands-on opportunities like the study abroad program.
“By combining academic rigour with experiential learning, the program prepares students for leadership roles and equips them to make a difference locally and globally,” Provost Gillian Balfour said in a release.
Garrett-Petts, who helped spearhead the Honours College along with TRU professor Kellee Caton, explained that this will improve students’ credentials after graduating from their field of study.
“Students taking this program will graduate with both their major and an honours certificate designation on their transcripts,” Garrett-Petts said.
This Honours College was one of several goals highlighted in TRU’s Integrated Strategic Planning initiative, which is focused on giving students “a unique TRU experience.”
Although there are more than 600 Honours Colleges worldwide, TRU will be the first Canadian member of the National Collegiate Honors Council, according to Garrett-Petts.
“Honours education is a key element of post-secondary education around the world,” Garrett-Petts said. “But each country and university approaches honours education slightly differently, with honours programming in Canada traditionally focused on providing an intense introduction to a particular discipline.”
TRU aims to differentiate its approach through integrative learning by exploring a range of disciplines and worldviews.
Garrett-Petts’ advice for any future students interested in earning that honours certificate is straightforward:
“I’d like to encourage students to apply early,” Garrett-Petts said. “The initial intake for the University Honours Certificate will be limited to 80 students. Twenty-five of those students will have access to reserved spaces in residence.”