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Honors Program

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Bachelor of Arts Honors Degree
Bachelor of Science Honors Degree
Bachelor of Science in Nursing Honors Degree

In addition to meeting all other graduation and major requirements, students wishing to earn an honors degree from Graceland University must be formally admitted to the honors program by the Honors Director, graduate with a minimum grade point average of 3.25, both cumulative and in their honors work, and complete a minimum of 21 s.h. of honors credit, including:

HONR1010 Honors 101 – 3 s.h.
HONR2010 Honors 201 – 3 s.h.
HONR2300 Intellectual Curiosity – 3 s.h.
HONR3800 Junior Honors Seminar – 3 s.h.
HONR4800 Senior Honors Seminar – 3 s.h.
ACCT-THTR4850 Honors Thesis/Senior Project (discipline number assigned to correspond to topic) – 3 s.h.

In additional, one 3 s.h. honors course earned through specially designed individual study, honors contract that converts regular class offering to honors course, or specially designed honors offering.

Application for admission to the Honors Program may be made upon admission to the university or anytime during a student’s college career provided they plan to remain active in the Honors program for a minimum of two full years. Successful applicants are normally expected to meet both of the following criteria:

  1. A composite Enhanced ACT score of 25 (SAT 1140) or above.
  2. A minimum 3.50 cumulative grade point average at the time of admission into the program.

The Honors Council is, however, free to admit other students who present alternative evidence of exceptional academic promise. Students interested in admission to the program but for whom ACT or SAT scores are low or not available are urged to consult with the program director.

  • Honors Program Courses
    Courses Offered
    • ACCT-THTR4850Honors Thesis/Senior Project
      ACCT-THTR4850 Honors Thesis/Senior Project - 3 s.h.

      A major scholarly paper or senior project planned by the honors student and executed in consultation with an approved faculty member. To count toward an honors degree, the student must receive a grade of A or B. The thesis/project will be evaluated on the basis of its originality, quality of research, and presentation. A prospectus must be approved by the Honors Council before significant work is begun. The subject of the thesis/project may be outside the student’s major and may be interdisciplinary in scope. Prerequisites: Senior standing and admission to the Honors Program.

    • HONR1010Honors 101
      HONR1010 Honors 101 - 3 s.h.

      Interdisciplinary first-year seminar provides a common intellectual experience for new Honors students and introduces them to the culture and opportunities of a small liberal arts institution. Designed to help exceptional students produce, deliver, and, analyze written and oral texts and learn how written and oral performances function together in specific discourse communities. Substitutes for Discourse I. Admission by selection only. ELO1A Communication, GE1B Foundational Skills-Writing and Communication.

    • HONR2010Honors 201
      HONR2010 Honors 201 - 3 s.h.

      The second of two sequenced interdisciplinary Honors seminars focused on developing the skills of written and oral communication, critical inquiry, and research. Students produce, deliver, and analyze college-level written and oral texts based on sustained academic research, and continue to develop their understanding of critical discourse analysis and critical language awareness in the context of a range of discursive forms (written, oral, visual and/or multimedia). Reinforces the common intellectual experience of the Honors program and further exposes students to the culture and opportunities of a small liberal arts institution. Admission by selection only. Substitutes for Discourse II. Prerequisite: HONR1010. ELO1B Communication, GE1A Foundational Skills-Writing and Communication.

    • HONR2300Intellectual Curiosity
      HONR2300 Intellectual Curiosity - 3 s.h.

      Student-driven course designed to explore and develop the unique skill of curiosity. Students who are intellectually curious ask big question, explore diverse topics, and value learning for its own sake, always seeking to understand how and why things are the way they are. Also a predictor of academic success, curiosity is an important trait that employers seek, since exploring alternatives and being adaptable best prepares someone for a rapidly changing world.

    • HONR3800Junior Honors Seminar
      HONR3800 Junior Honors Seminar - 3 s.h.

      A series of weekly discussions of topics selected by seminar participants for a broad cross section of intellectual disciplines. Each participant is required to prepare specified readings in advance of weekly sessions and to share in planning and conducting discussions. Offered in the fall semester only. Prerequisites: Admission to the Honors Program and junior or senior standing.

    • HONR3950Honors Colloquium
      HONR3950 Honors Colloquium - 1-3 s.h.

      Opportunity for a small group of advanced students to pursue in-depth study of an area or topic of interest. Will be offered on demand when faculty are available. May be repeated for credit as topics change. Graded on a Pass/Fail basis. Prerequisite: Admission to the Honors Program.

    • HONR4800Senior Honors Seminar
      HONR4800 Senior Honors Seminar - 3 s.h.

      A series of weekly discussions of topics selected by seminar participants for a broad cross section of intellectual disciplines. Each participant is required to prepare specified readings in advance of weekly sessions and to share in planning and conducting discussions. Offered in the fall semester only. Prerequisites: Admission to the Honors Program and junior or senior standing.

    ACCT-THTR4850Honors Thesis/Senior Project HONR1010Honors 101 HONR2010Honors 201 HONR2300Intellectual Curiosity HONR3800Junior Honors Seminar HONR3950Honors Colloquium HONR4800Senior Honors Seminar
    Course Descriptions
    ACCT-THTR4850 Honors Thesis/Senior Project - 3 s.h.

    A major scholarly paper or senior project planned by the honors student and executed in consultation with an approved faculty member. To count toward an honors degree, the student must receive a grade of A or B. The thesis/project will be evaluated on the basis of its originality, quality of research, and presentation. A prospectus must be approved by the Honors Council before significant work is begun. The subject of the thesis/project may be outside the student’s major and may be interdisciplinary in scope. Prerequisites: Senior standing and admission to the Honors Program.

    HONR1010 Honors 101 - 3 s.h.

    Interdisciplinary first-year seminar provides a common intellectual experience for new Honors students and introduces them to the culture and opportunities of a small liberal arts institution. Designed to help exceptional students produce, deliver, and, analyze written and oral texts and learn how written and oral performances function together in specific discourse communities. Substitutes for Discourse I. Admission by selection only. ELO1A Communication, GE1B Foundational Skills-Writing and Communication.

    HONR2010 Honors 201 - 3 s.h.

    The second of two sequenced interdisciplinary Honors seminars focused on developing the skills of written and oral communication, critical inquiry, and research. Students produce, deliver, and analyze college-level written and oral texts based on sustained academic research, and continue to develop their understanding of critical discourse analysis and critical language awareness in the context of a range of discursive forms (written, oral, visual and/or multimedia). Reinforces the common intellectual experience of the Honors program and further exposes students to the culture and opportunities of a small liberal arts institution. Admission by selection only. Substitutes for Discourse II. Prerequisite: HONR1010. ELO1B Communication, GE1A Foundational Skills-Writing and Communication.

    HONR2300 Intellectual Curiosity - 3 s.h.

    Student-driven course designed to explore and develop the unique skill of curiosity. Students who are intellectually curious ask big question, explore diverse topics, and value learning for its own sake, always seeking to understand how and why things are the way they are. Also a predictor of academic success, curiosity is an important trait that employers seek, since exploring alternatives and being adaptable best prepares someone for a rapidly changing world.

    HONR3800 Junior Honors Seminar - 3 s.h.

    A series of weekly discussions of topics selected by seminar participants for a broad cross section of intellectual disciplines. Each participant is required to prepare specified readings in advance of weekly sessions and to share in planning and conducting discussions. Offered in the fall semester only. Prerequisites: Admission to the Honors Program and junior or senior standing.

    HONR3950 Honors Colloquium - 1-3 s.h.

    Opportunity for a small group of advanced students to pursue in-depth study of an area or topic of interest. Will be offered on demand when faculty are available. May be repeated for credit as topics change. Graded on a Pass/Fail basis. Prerequisite: Admission to the Honors Program.

    HONR4800 Senior Honors Seminar - 3 s.h.

    A series of weekly discussions of topics selected by seminar participants for a broad cross section of intellectual disciplines. Each participant is required to prepare specified readings in advance of weekly sessions and to share in planning and conducting discussions. Offered in the fall semester only. Prerequisites: Admission to the Honors Program and junior or senior standing.