Honors Program
Smaller, discussion-driven core courses. Big questions. A community that pushes you—and your future—forward.
Rooted in John Carroll’s Ignatian tradition, the Honors Program nurtures the whole person through smaller, discussion-driven core courses reserved for Honors students.
We seek joyful risk-takers who love ideas and conversation—students ready to test assumptions, engage diverse perspectives, and learn in community. You’ll find your people in Honors courses, the Honors Student Association, and our living-learning community in Dolan Hall.
Academic Excellence
Small seminars. Bold ideas. Faculty who know your name.
Community & Belonging
Find your people—in class, in Dolan Hall, and across Honors events.
Momentum & Mentorship
Advisors and upper-class mentors help you plan, stretch, and Be More.
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Academic Excellence
Small seminars. Bold ideas. Faculty who know your name.
-
Community & Belonging
Find your people—in class, in Dolan Hall, and across Honors events.
-
Momentum & Mentorship
Advisors and upper-class mentors help you plan, stretch, and Be More.
Honors Curriculum
To graduate with Honors distinction, students complete the requirements below within the University Core.
Join the Honors Program
How to Apply
After you receive your admission decision, log into your myJCU Gateway portal and scroll to “Applications for Honors and Scholars Programs” to find the Honors application. If you have trouble locating it, contact your admissions counselor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Short answers to the big questions—classes, benefits, GPA benchmarks, and the Honors Project. Still curious? Email honors@jcu.edu.
Not harder—different. They are smaller, conversation-driven, and encourage innovative approaches, fearless inquiry, and diverse sources.
Benchmarks rise by year; by fall of senior year, aim for at least a 3.45. If GPA dips between 3.0 and the class benchmark, students may be placed on academic watch; below 3.0 triggers review for removal.
Yes. The Honors curriculum largely mirrors the Core, so students routinely participate in athletics, clubs, study abroad, and pursue double majors or minors.
A college-level public speaking course may replace COM 125H/1251. Other AP/college credits count toward the 120 credits to graduate but not as substitutes for Honors-designated courses.
Yes. The Honors suite includes a social area, kitchen, coffee machine, and meeting space. Dolan Hall also has a classroom often used by Honors sections.
Exclusive funding for Honors students to support transformational learning like study abroad, immersion, and unpaid internships. See the guidelines and application in the current student links.
Honors covers books/materials for your Honors courses. The bookstore will have them ready for pickup at semester start.
With at least 30 JCU credits and a 3.5 GPA (cumulative or most recent term), Honors students may take up to 21 credits once per academic year without extra tuition.
No. Substitutions undermine Honors sections and do not replicate the Honors experience. Students who prefer not to follow the Honors curriculum may withdraw from the program.
- Depth: HP 4500 Honors Capstone under faculty mentorship, presented at Celebration of Scholarship.
- Depth via major: complete your major’s capstone and present at Celebration of Scholarship.
- Breadth: opt out of the capstone by completing a secondary major or a minor substantially different from your primary major.
See the University’s official cost of attendance for full details. Honors benefits like the Book Award and Pathway funding supplement, not replace, financial aid.
For Current Students
First-years may apply to Honors in spring; email honors@jcu.edu for an application link. Applications are due by March 15.
