Honors Program in Engagement & Scholarship (HOPES)

Honors Program Mission

The Honors Program in Engagement & Scholarship (HOPES) will empower student scholarship and encourage active citizenship, leadership, and devotion to the common good.

Honors Program Description

The Honors Program in Engagement & Scholarship (HOPES) is a concentration or minor program that encourages motivated students to explore challenging and interdisciplinary curricula. Coursework emphasizes critical thinking, an interdisciplinary attitude, a broad worldview, and a commitment to serving others.

Admission and Retention

To be eligible for admission, it is suggested that first-year students have earned a high school GPA of 3.25 or higher (on a 4.00 scale) -or- a minimum composite ACT score of 25 -or- a total SAT score of 1200 or higher. Students seeking admission after at least one academic term at a college/university must have a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher. Potential participants should also be self-motivated, committed to community, and dedicated to learning. The program is open only to baccalaureate students taking eight or more credits each term.

To be retained in the Honors Program, students must have a minimum 3.00 GPA in Honors courses and maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher. Students whose Honors or cumulative GPA falls below the required minimum will be placed on probation status. Students whose GPA falls below the required minimum for two consecutive semesters will be dropped from the program.

The Honors Program is an opportunity for students to earn an interdisciplinary minor or concentration. A minor in Honors requires the completion of 18 semester hours within the program. Course requirements for most majors permit enough “open” electives to accommodate the addition of Honors coursework.

Students participating in the Honors Minor engage in lively seminar discussions, conduct independent study and research, participate in community service projects, and earn public recognition for their achievements.

Honors Minor

HON 250H	Foundations of Leadership	3
HON 252H	Visionaries of the Past	2
HON 264H	Thinking Outside the Box	3
HON 351H	Integrity and the Examined Life	3
HON 391H	Community Problem-Solving	3
HON 395H	Citizenship and Service	3
HON 491H	Honors Program Capstone	1
Total Hours		18

The Honors Program is an opportunity for students to earn an interdisciplinary minor or concentration. A concentration in Honors requires the completion of 13 semester hours within the program. Course requirements for most majors permit enough “open” electives to accommodate the addition of Honors coursework.

Students participating in the Honors concentration engage in lively seminar discussions, conduct independent study and research, participate in community service projects, and earn public recognition for their achievements.

Honors Concentration

Creativity and Critical Thinking ¹
HON 251H	Culinary Arts and Entertaining
HON 252H	Visionaries of the Past
HON 264H	Thinking Outside the Box
HON 351H	Integrity and the Examined Life
HON 496H	Honors Study Tour
Service and Leadership ²
HON 250H	Foundations of Leadership
HON 391H	Community Problem-Solving
HON 395H	Citizenship and Service
Other Requirements
HON 491H	Honors Program Capstone
Total hours:		13

¹: At least two courses from this category are required
²: At least two courses from this category are required