This smaller classroom environment encourages more interaction among students and between students and faculty. Honors courses also emphasize discussion and classroom interaction rather than the traditional lecture, thus inspiring greater exploration and development of subject. Students must take at least one honors course each semester throughout the freshman and sophomore years and maintain a 3.0 cumulative grade point average to remain in the Honors Program. The opportunity to explore academic subjects with greater depth and freedom is the primary benefit of an honors program, but former participants have identified interaction with students of similar motivation, ability and interest as equally worthwhile. Honors students gain a sense of community, which is enhanced by an active student honors organization, a weekly newsletter, an annual undergraduate journal and a variety of sponsored cultural activities.
Honors students comprise the upper ten percent of the incoming freshman class.
A student who does not meet the criteria may be considered for admission to the program after completion of the first semester of college work if performance indicates potential benefit from the program. Faculty Professors who participate in the Honors Program are selected for their enthusiasm and dedication to teaching. Grading Grading standards are the same as for other college classes with the exception of a grading curve. Since entrance standards are rigorous, there is no need to apply an arbitrary grade curve. Honors Recognition An Associate of Arts certificate with honors or high honors will be awarded upon successful completion of the Honors Program and the university's general education requirements.