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.

Honors Program Student Learning Goals and Outcomes

Student Learning Goals and Student Learning Outcomes

Student Learning Goals	Student Learning Outcomes
Think critically, reflectively, and independently	Design self-created learning experiences that have clearly articulated goals
	Analyze problems/situations to formulate informed opinions, conclusions, or solutions
	Interpret texts (manuscripts, textbooks, original works, scholarly journals, etc.) from various disciplines
	Conduct independent and ethical research
Exhibit a commitment to community awareness, involvement, and service	Enact solutions to real-world problems for individuals and society
	Reflect on a civic effort which addresses civic responsibility and citizenship
Demonstrate excellence in verbal and written communication	Present ideas logically and effectively - verbally
	Present ideas logically and effectively - written
Engage with diverse perspectives in order to cultivate cultural competence and an appreciation of differences	Analyze current and historical international issues and aspects of global culture
	Demonstrate foreign language proficiency at an intermediate level (minor only)
	Collaborate actively with diverse local and global partners
	Appraise issues from multiple viewpoints

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 25-27 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
 

Two honors (“H”) classes that satisfy general education or diversity requirements.¹

Two semesters of foreign language, including the option of American Sign		6-8
HON 191H	The Honors Community	1
HON 250H	Foundations of Leadership	3
HON 252H	Visionaries of the Past	2
Select one of the following:		3
HON 264H	Thinking Outside the Box
Study Abroad
An Honors Elective
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		25-27

¹

Some academic majors may require completion of specific General Education or Diversity courses and may not be able to accept Honors Program substitutions. Students should routinely consult with their academic advisors.

The Honors Program is an opportunity for students to earn an interdisciplinary minor or concentration. A concentration in Honors requires the completion of 16-17 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

Required Core:
HON 191H	The Honors Community	1
HON 351H	Integrity and the Examined Life	3
HON 391H	Community Problem-Solving	3
or HON 395H	Citizenship and Service
HON 491H	Honors Program Capstone	1
Choose 8-9 credits from the following:		8-9
HON 250H	Foundations of Leadership
HON 251H	Culinary Arts and Entertaining
HON 252H	Visionaries of the Past
HON 264H	Thinking Outside the Box
HON 391H	Community Problem-Solving
HON 395H	Citizenship and Service
Total Hours		16-17

*A course can only be used once to fulfill requirements for a single category