Curriculum

The Honors Curriculum is a four-year program that begins with honors courses being offered in the fall semester of the freshman year.  The curriculum consists of: 12 credits of departmental-based honors courses; 6 credits of honors colloquia; and an honors senior research thesis in the students’ major. Honors level courses do not entail more assignments than a regular course; however, honors courses incorporate classroom discussion and peer assessment, and require students to engage in a deeper level of thinking and analysis. Honors students should exhibit improved

1. analytical/critical thinking and logical reasoning skills;
2. problem solving and decision making skills;
3. coherent and persuasive oral and written communications skills; and
4. skills necessary to perform research at a professional level.

The Honors Curriculum consists of the following category of courses and activities:

• Interdisciplinary/multi-disciplinary colloquia/seminars
• Departmental Honors Courses including sections of general education courses
• Independent Honors Research/Study Project
• A senior honors research thesis

Honors classes are kept small to promote and stimulate discussion, skill development and critical thinking.

HONORS PROGRAM GRADUATE Designation Requirements

An Honors Program Student may earn an Honors Program Graduate designation if he or she:

• Completes a minimum of 18 hours of Honors credit with a minimum of “B” in each course
• Maintains an overall cumulative GPA of 3.25 during the period he/she is in the program;
• Presents a paper or poster project on Honors Day each year after the freshman year
• Completes and defends a senior honors research thesis
• Petitions to the Honors Council for Honors Program Graduate designation and completes an Honors Inventory Form by the end of the semester before the semester he/she graduates.

BREAKDOWN OF THE MINIMUM 18 HONORS CREDIT HOURS

• A minimum of SIX (6) credit hours of Interdisciplinary Honors Colloquia or Honors Independent Study Research
• A minimum of TWELVE (l2) credit hours of department based Honors courses with no more than SIX (6) coming from a single department

Honors students who are approved for Honors Program Graduate designation will receive an honors sash at Commencement and have their Honors status acknowledged in the Commencement book. They will, likewise, have their Honors status designated in the official grade transcript and as part of their permanent academic record.