Catalog of Abilene Christian University, 1991-1992 Page: 98
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98 Honors Program
Honors Program
The Honors Program is not a department and is not
confined to any one college. Rather, it is a curriculum of
academic enrichment available to undergraduate students
in any major. Since the array of courses and teachers varies
somewhat from year to year, contact Dr. Chris Willerton,
Director of the Honors Program, for current information.
Teachers of honors courses are described in this catalog
under their respective departments.
INTRODUCTION
The Honors Program offers highly motivated students
extra stimulation and recognition in their course work,
opportunities to work with selected faculty members, and
the chance to do independent projects in their major field.
Studies show that graduates of reputable honors programs
often have an advantage in gaining admission to graduate
schools and competing for jobs.
The ACU Honors Program differs from others in
emphasizing Christian responsibility. Its mission is to give
bright students the academic challenge and professional
preparation they want, and do so in a Christian
environment.
There are two tracks in the program, University Honors
(four-year track) and Departmental Honors (two-year
track). The courses required for each will fit into most
degree plans. There are no extra costs and (with few
exceptions) no extra courses required for HP participation.
Frequent social events encourage fellowship among HP
students and teachers. Members of the Student Honors
Cabinet advise the director and carry out arrangements for
visiting speakers, Faculty Fireside Chats, picnics, the spring
Honors Banquet, and other events.
UNIVERSITY HONORS
The University Honors track requires that thirty hours of
a student's degree plan be taken for honors credit,
distributed as follows:
Lower-division, 18 hrs.: special Honors Program sections
of General Education (freshman/sophomore) courses.
Upper-division, 6 hrs.: courses in the student's major field
(taken for HP credit by contract).
Senior Honors Project, 3 hrs.: research or creative project
in the student's major field.
Three Honors Colloquia, 3 hrs.: each six weeks long.
A student completing these requirements and attaining a
cumulative GPA of 3.5 will graduate with "University
Honors" (as well as cum laude or other distinctions). This
distinction is printed on the student's transcript and shown
with a gold seal on the diploma.DEPARTMENTAL HONORS
The Departmental Honors track requires twelve hours at
the junior and senior level: two courses with HP contracts,
three colloquia, and a Senior Honors Project. A
cumulative GPA of 3.5 is required at graduation.
"Departmental Honors" is shown on the transcript and
diploma in the same way as "University Honors."
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
To enter either Honors Program track, students apply
through the Director of the Honors Program. Freshman
applicants will be accepted unconditionally if they have an
ACT-E composite score of 27 or an SAT combined score
of 1060. Advanced students (including transfers) need
similar scores and a solid record in their previous college
work (usually a 3.5 GPA). Students whose ACT-E or SAT
scores are slightly below the cutoff may petition to enter
the program on probation. These students should submit a
letter describing their grades and other evidence of high
ability and motivation (e.g., special awards or success in
honors courses). To stay in the Honors Program, a
student must maintain a GPA of 3.25.
COURSES
Freshman and sophomore Honors Program credit is
available in selected classes in Bible, chemistry,
communication, English, film appreciation, history,
psychology, and other fields. Since they are General
Education courses, they apply toward almost any degree.
Freshman and sophomore HP classes are limited to 20
students and are taught by selected faculty members. No
honors classes are offered in summer school.
Junior and senior credit is available by contract in selected
courses. Contact the director for a current list. An HP
student attends the class with non-HP students. But
through the honors contract, the student does different or
additional work that calls for high ability.
Topics for colloquia are announced yearly. They are open
only to Honors Program juniors or seniors. Colloquia are
always interdisciplinary, allowing students with any major
to find a connection. They usually last six weeks, emphasize
reading and discussion, and require a position paper
from each student.Students sign up for colloquia (numbered
HCOL 411, HCOL 412, and so on) as they would
any other course. Topics have includedAmericafrom the
Underside; Christian Hope and the Nuclear Age; Einstein:
From Poetry to the Bomb; Futurism: Culture, Careers, and
Communication in the Twenty-first Centuty; Politics, Art,
and Society; The Human Face of Medical Ethics; Science and
the Bible.
The Senior Honors Project is an independent course,
earning credit as a guided study. The project is directed by
a committee of professors and can often be tailored to
specific career interests.
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Abilene Christian University. Catalog of Abilene Christian University, 1991-1992, book, 1991~; Abilene, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth45939/m1/100/: accessed April 19, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Abilene Christian University Library.