Honors Program / H

Associate Provost of the College of Arts and Sciences: TBD

Director of the Honors Program: Elyssa Ford

Statement of Mission

The Honors Program provides motivated and talented students with an enriched educational experience. Through limited class size and close interactions with faculty, the program provides talented students with a deeper understanding of content and an opportunity to develop critical thinking and discussion skills that prepare them for a dynamic world. In the Honors Program, a commitment to learning is combined with a spirit of inquiry and a critical understanding of the responsibilities of global citizenship. By bringing together the ideas from diverse traditions of knowledge, the Honors Program helps prepare creative and innovative leaders to meet emerging challenges in our global community.

The Honors Program Curriculum

Northwest Missouri State University’s Northwest Core Requirements are outlined in this catalog (see The Northwest Core). The Honors Program requires Honors students to complete a combination of designated coursework and experiences.  Students must complete 4 courses of Honors Northwest Core courses (sections designated with an H) or upper-division courses (300-level or above) as Honors Credit Agreements or any combination of the two types of courses that total a minimum of 12 credit hours.  In addition, Honors students must complete 3 of the following Honors Experiences; at least one in each of the two categories listed below:

The Service/Leadership Category includes:

• Alternative spring break opportunities sponsored by the University
• Various trainings offered on campus, including RESPOND and Engage
• Community service and/or service learning (20 hours)
• Study abroad trip
• Other student ideas as approved by the Honors Advisory Committee

The Personal/Academic Growth Category includes:

• Presentation of original creative work (not here at Northwest)
• Publication of original work
• Participation in colloquia that include:  a) Lecture Series, b) Creative and Performing Arts, c) Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
• Participation in a professional internship related to a possible career
• Other student ideas as approved by the Honors Advisory Committee

Honors Program Policies, Expectations and Requirements

The Honors Program is designed for motivated and capable students. During the first semester, the Honors student typically enrolls in at least one Honors class. These classes are sections of existing courses enhanced for the Honors students. Class size limits for Honors sections provide ample opportunity for students to express themselves and interact more with professors and classmates:

Honors sections will typically involve: 

• more extensive reading and/or more ambitious laboratory work
• in-depth conversation
• connections within and among disciplines
• relationship of course material to a diverse global society
• challenging educational experiences beyond the classroom
• opportunities for research and capstone experiences

Eligibility and Admission

• To be considered for entrance into the Honors program, a first-time/entering student must have a minimum high school GPA of 3.50. A composite ACT score of 26 is recommended.
• Students will be selected from among eligible applicants.

Program Continuation Requirements

• Honors students must maintain a 3.50 cumulative grade point average to remain in the Honors Program. If a student falls below a 3.50 GPA after the first academic year, the student is placed on academic probation in the Honors Program. If after the following academic year, the student has not regained a 3.50 cumulative GPA, the student will be placed on provisional status until a cumulative 3.50 GPA is attained.

Graduation Requirements

To graduate with honors, a student must:

• complete 4 courses of Honors Northwest Core courses (sections designated with an H) or upper-division courses (300-level or above) as Honors Credit Agreements or any combination of the two types of courses that total a minimum of 12 credit hours
• complete 3 Honors Experiences; at least on in each of the two following categories:  Service/Leadership and Personal/Academic Growth 
• maintain a 3.50 cumulative GPA

Co-Curricular Activities

• Special colloquia, field trips, etc. are available for enrichment and limited to Honors students.
• Honors students have the privilege of an early preregistration for classes.
• Honors students participate in various activities such as research projects and service learning activities.
• Honors students receive special advisement by the director of the Honors Program and/or by Honors faculty.