Capital Scholars Honors Program

A Unique Baccalaureate Experience at UIS

The Capital Scholars Honors Program (CSHP), open to a small number of highly qualified college students, is a four-year baccalaureate experience combining an integrated core of honors-level, lower- and upper-division courses, UIS general education requirements and any of the 23 undergraduate majors offered by UIS.

Why Join the Honors Program?

There are plenty of reasons to join, but here are just a few benefits that the UIS Capital Honors Program has to offer:

Scholarships available for all students admitted to the program

A brand new university-owned laptop for use while enrolled in CAP Honors

Study abroad opportunities. Hear first hand about their experiences at CAP Study Abroad Testimonials.

A focus on building leadership skills transferable to one’s career

A challenging, interdisciplinary and integrated curriculum that
stresses critical thinking, communication, problem-solving and research skills

Access to research and internship opportunities

Opportunities for personal, academic, social and civic growth

Unlimited opportunities to participate in student governance, organizations and clubs

Residential Requirement: The focus of our Living-Learning Community. Students will live in Lincoln Residence Hall their first year, and second year students will live in Founders Residence Hall

A dedicated staff

CAP Honors is a member of professional honors associations: National Collegiate Honors Council and Honors Council of the Illinois Region

Admission Requirements

CAP Faculty

Capital Scholars Honors professors are among the best teachers and scholars at UIS, and come from among the best graduate schools around the nation and the world. Each devotes one or two courses per year to the CAP curriculum and also teaches upper-division or graduate courses in one of UIS’ majors, minors or graduate programs.

Cap Faculty

Living Learning Community in LRH

The Lincoln Residence Hall is the focal point for a learning community in which students, faculty, and community members come together for enrichment activities. Illinois leaders from the public and private sectors - representing scientific, artistic and cultural interests - join with students for social and cultural events, workshops and seminars. Students have opportunities for day and weekend trips to cultural and educational events in Chicago, St. Louis and throughout Central Illinois. A wide range of campus social events and entertainment enliven the hours students spend away from their studies.

Housing Options

Capital Scholars Preview Day

If you are interested in a rich and rewarding experience, check out UIS during our next Capital Scholars Preview Day. To RSVP, contact the Admissions office at (800) 252-8533, or schedule a campus visit.

Contact Us

Interested in learning more about the Capital Scholars Honors Program at UIS? E-mail us at capitalscholars@uis.edu or call our main office at (217) 206-7246 to request a Zoom meeting. Include your full name, contact number or e-mail, and we will get in touch with you as soon as possible. Want to schedule an on-campus visit? We can work to arrange that, too! We look forward to hearing from you!

Application review for Fall 2025 will begin mid-October.

Marc A. Klingshirn, Ph.D. – Director of CAP Honors and Associate Professor of Chemistry
Karen Barker – Senior Coordinator of Recruitment and Operations
Cortney Trencevski – CAP Honors Admissions Counselor, Academic Advisor

Share Your News

If you or a fellow CAP student have done something “newsworthy” recently and would like to be featured on our website, email our student worker, Emily Lupi at elupi2@uis.edu, to have your name and accomplishments or events put on this page.

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