Honors College

Dean: Dana Steil, Ph.D.
Assistant Dean: James Miller, Ph.D.
James Huff, Ph.D., Honors College Senior Faculty Fellow

The Honors College seeks to cultivate opportunities for highly motivated students to grow in leadership, service and academic excellence through shared experiences that are informed by faith and focus on the development of the whole person. The college is committed to building a stimulating undergraduate experience that enhances the academic profile of students as they pursue opportunities after Harding.

ELIGIBILITY AND ENROLLMENT

Honors Scholars. Honors Scholars are a select group of around 40 students who make up the Honors College’s incoming freshman class each year. These students are National Merit Semifinalists and Finalists, Trustee Scholars, and other students in the College Board’s Recognition programs. Honors Scholars must maintain a 3.25 GPA and complete the curriculum below before their final year to remain in the Honors College and, therefore, retain their scholarship. Honors Scholars are eligible for priority registration each semester, encouraged to pursue Honors College recognition at graduation, and expected to engage in leadership and service at the university and/or in the community.

Required in the first semester

Choose at least three courses before the final year

Honors Students. Any student who earns a 3.25 GPA at midterm of their first semester, or any time thereafter, can apply for admission to the Honors College. Honors students must enroll in HNRS 2000 during the first full semester after they are admitted to the Honors College. To remain in the college, honors students must maintain a 3.25 GPA and engage in leadership and service at the university and/or in the community. Honors students are encouraged to pursue Honors College recognition at graduation.

LEVELS OF HONORS COLLEGE RECOGNITION AT GRADUATION

There are two levels of Honors College recognition at graduation:

Honors College Graduates with Distinction. Honors Scholars and students can graduate from the Honors College with Distinction by maintaining a 3.5 GPA and completing 26 hours of honors credits from the curriculum described below. Students must earn an A or B in honors courses to be counted toward the graduation recognition requirements. Honors courses completed prior to the first semester of full-time enrollment do not apply toward honors graduation recognition requirements.

Honors College Graduates with Distinction will be noted in a separate listing in the commencement program with the Honors capstone project or thesis title. The official university transcript and diploma will indicate they have achieved this honor. Students will be awarded an engraved medallion at the Honors College Medallion Ceremony.

Required

HNRS 2000 - Honors Cornerstone Credit Hours: 1
HNRS 4360-4361 - Honors Capstone Preparation Credit Hours: 0, 1
HNRS 4460-4463 - Honors Senior Capstone Project Credit Hours: 0-3
At least four honors contracts or graduate-level courses as approved by the Honors College

Required for Honors Scholars (National Merit Semifinalists and Finalists, Trustee Scholars, and other students in the College Board’s Recognition programs)

HNRS 2020 - Life and Teachings of Jesus Credit Hours: 2

Choose at least one course

Choose at least two courses

Honors College Graduates. Honors Scholars and students can graduate from the Honors College by maintaining a 3.25 GPA and completing 20 hours of honors credits from the curriculum described below. Students must earn an A or B in honors courses to be counted toward the graduation recognition requirements. Honors courses completed prior to the first semester of full-time enrollment do not apply toward honors graduation recognition requirements.

Honors College Graduates will be included in a separate listing in the commencement program. The official university transcript and diploma will indicate they have achieved this honor