Frequently Asked Questions

1.  Isn't my GPA likely to suffer if I take Honors Courses?

Statistics show that Honors students earn higher grades in their Honors courses than in their regular courses.

2.  How do Honors courses differ from regular courses?

Most are smaller - with few exceptions, Honors seminars are capped at 15.  The typical Honors course takes a more "participatory" approach to learning - less lecture, more discussion, class projects, etc.

3.  Don't Honors courses require more work?

The basic difference between Honors courses and regular courses isn't workload but the approach taken to the material.  Overall, Honors course workloads are typical of good, solid courses university-wide.

4.  If I leave the Honors Program later, do my credits still count?

Honors courses remain on your transcript as Honors courses; they still satisfy other university requirements (e.g. Gen Ed requirements) that they satisfied when you took them.

5.  Can I take Honors courses if I am not in the program?

With rare exceptions, no.  Access to Honors seminars is a privilege of program participation.  Students who want to  sign up for courses but not in the the program are prevented from doing so.

6.  Why should I take Honors courses?

The main reason, of course, is to get something valuable from them.  We hope the subject matter and approach of the seminars are appealing.  But another reason to take Honors courses is to challenge yourself.  Honors students aspire to high achievement and make decisions that help them accomplish it.

7.  How do I know if I am an Honors student?

Being an Honors student is partly a matter of academic background and past achievement.  If you satisfy the program's admission criteria, you meet the standard.  But at a deeper level, being an Honors student is a matter of attitude and purpose.  Honors students are genuine "scholars" who love learning and the thrill of discovery.  They are ambitious to know things and to develop their talents.  If you see learning as a chore, then you may be very smart, but you're not an Honors student.