CLIPS Co-Curricular Requirements

The required Honors co-curricular experiences are rooted in student learning and excellence in five domains. These domains provide a wide range of co-curricular choices and give students maximum flexibility in designing their own path to an Honors degree.

The five areas are represented in the acronym CLIPS:

  • Cultural Exploration Engagement (C)
  • Leadership (L)
  • Intellectual Achievement (I)
  • Professional Development (P)
  • Skill Development (S)

Below, you will find the definitions and examples for each CLIPS area. To satisfy requirements for University Honors, students must select 3 CLIPS activities from at least 2 areas. To satisfy requirements for Highest Honors, students must select 5 CLIPS activities from at least 3 areas. To receive credit for an Honors CLIPS Experience, students must submit the Honors Experience form (available on the Forms page of The Honors College website) along with a reflection paper. The Honors Experience form and reflection must be completed for each of the CLIPS experiences required for University and Highest Honors.

  • Cultural Exploration (C)

    Expand dropdown

    Cultural Exploration promotes global citizenship, multicultural understandings of the world, and self-awareness of one’s cultural orientations. Some examples of activities that could count toward this requirement are:

    • Participate in a study-abroad experience (even if required for major)
    • Participate in a US Travel course
    • Participate in an Alternative Spring Break program
    • Complete a foreign language course beyond one applied to GEKH or the major
    • Participate in the EMU Model UN team
    • Plan and/or organize a cultural event on the EMU campus (e.g., an Arab-American fair, MLK Day organizing committee)

  • Leadership(L)

    Expand dropdown

    Leadership/Civic Engagement (L) involves leading others to accomplish a goal or demonstrates involvement in civic life. Some examples of activities that could count toward this requirement are:  

    • Work or volunteer in a campus leadership role (SGA, NSOA, RA, SI, Holman Success Center, Admissions Office,  etc.)
    • Serve on the Executive Board of an Registered Student Organization for at least 2 semesters
    • Intern in a government office or work on a political campaign
    • Create a new student or non-profit organization
    • Sustained work as an advocate or activist
    • Plan and implement an event on the EMU campus

  • Intellectual(I)

    Expand dropdown

    Intellectual/Academic Activity (I) promotes growth as academics, scholars, researchers, and creative thinkers or involves production of new knowledge or creative work. Some examples of activities that could count toward this requirement are: 

    • Participate in research or creative activity leading to presentation or publication (beyond degree requirements and including summer research programs)
    • Pursue a second major or minor (beyond a minor required for a degree)
    • Participate in the EMU Moot Court or Forensics teams
    • Participate in the EMU McNair Scholars Program
    • Participate in the Minority Case Competition (College of Business) or the Designer Contest (GameAbove College of Engineering & Technology)

  • Professional Development (P)

    Expand dropdown

    Professional Development (P) involves activities that lead to professional growth, the development of professional skill sets, or immersion in a professional context. Some examples of activities that could count toward this requirement are:   

    • Complete an internship related to (but not required for) the major
    • Complete a professional certification program
    • Participate in the Honors College Professional Development Series (6 sessions)
    • Attend a multi-day professional conference in one’s field
    • Attend the Public Policy and Leadership Conference or the Public Policy and International Affairs Junior Summer Institute
    • Engage in entrepreneurship
    • Compete for a national scholarship or fellowship (e.g., the Goldwater, Truman, Rhodes, Fulbright, or Marshall Scholarship or the National Science Foundation Fellowship)

  • Skill Development (S)

    Expand dropdown

    Skill Development (S) involves acquisition of a skillset or lifestyle pattern independent of professional development or cultural exploration. Some examples of activities that could count toward this requirement are:

    • Participate in a musical, entertainment, or theater performance not required for the major
    • Participate on an EMU NCAA D1 or Club Team
    • Participate in the EMU Cheer or Dance Team
    • Run a 10K, marathon, or half-marathon for the first time
    • Learn to play a musical instrument
    • Take a hands-on course in the arts (one not used to meet the General Education Arts requirement)
    • Learn ballroom dancing or a new sport