Honors Program
Why Apply to the Honors Program?
You’ll benefit from additional resources and privileges designed to propel you along your career path. Guided by the College’s most distinguished faculty, you’ll find yourself taking your learning beyond the classroom through advanced course work, greater opportunities for self-directed study, special lectures and symposia, and a rich array of social events.
Applicants to the Honors Program may submit applications by the November 1 or January 3 priority deadline or the March 1 regular deadline. Decisions regarding Honors Program admission will be made and communicated approximately six weeks after the selected deadline. There is no disadvantage to choosing the deadline that works for you; applications will be evaluated in the same way regardless of which deadline they are submitted.
Benefits
- Opportunities to present and publish your work
- Small, interactive seminars led by top faculty
- Special lectures, symposia, and networking events
- Completion of a two-year capstone project researched with a faculty member in your field
- Take up to 20 credit hours per semester at no additional cost
- Access to a private, on-campus study lounge
- Priority class registration
- Honors Living/Learning Community housing option for first-year students
Honors Course Progression
With an emphasis on scholarly inquiry, your honors coursework will challenge you to "think big." You’ll have opportunities to collaborate with faculty and peers from other disciplines while gaining greater insight into your own major.
First Year
HON 1700 Writing on Contemporary Social Issues
HON 1701 Speaking on Contemporary Social Issues
HON 1990 Honors First Year Seminar
Second Year
Honors Liberal Arts Course
HON 2990 Honors Second Year Seminar
Third Year
HON 3955, 3956 Honors Directed Study
Submit Thesis Proposal and Present Proposal at Fiat Lux
Fourth Year
HON 4955, 4956 Thesis Writing
Submit Final Thesis
Present Thesis at Fiat Lux
Honors Student Qualifications
Honors is a community of writers, artists, scientists, musicians, and business leaders who share a common thread of intellectual promise and self-motivation.
To apply to the Honors Program, students must:
- Have at least a 3.5 weighted GPA
- In the application, share at least three markers of excellence* from areas of academic excellence, extracurricular experience, or leadership and citizenship.
- Share your interest in the Honors program and what you hope to gain through your participation.
* You are not required to have one from each section, just three from the overall list
Academic Excellence
- Submission of a piece of academic work for the committee to evaluate (examples may include: lab report, research paper, or critical analysis of a creative work)
- National, state, district, or school-wide awards for academics (examples may include: quiz bowl, debate, robotics competitions)
- At least 16 anticipated college credits earned through AP, IB, AICE, or classes at another college/university (see advanced credit policies)
Advanced Credit Policies - Class rank in the top 10% or top reporting division of your high school
- 1330 SAT or 29 ACT superscore
- Participation in AVID, Upward Bound, GEAR UP, or other college preparatory programs
- EMT, CNA, or other industry certifications
Extracurricular Experience
- Demonstrated initiative in an extracurricular setting (applicants who have started new clubs or initiatives, or contributed to new developments or projects within an organization)
- Participation in advocacy or interest groups, partisan or nonpartisan political activities, or community organizing
- Participation in JROTC
- Consistent record of working to improve and give back to your community (participation and leadership in trash pickups, volunteer tutoring, working in a food bank, or other community service work)
- Participation in career-oriented extracurricular activities (DECA, FBLA, FFA, HOSA, or similar)
- Excellence in a challenging skill or trade (e.g., a musical instrument, computer programming, auto repair)
- Submission of creative works (stories, poetry, photography, films)
Leadership and Citizenship
- Reliable performance in a paid position or volunteer job
- History of acting as a caretaker at home or in the community
- Girl Scout Gold Award, Boy Scout Eagle Scout rank, or similar
- Accomplishments in a school community (applicants who hold leadership positions like school newspaper editor, student council, orientation leaders, or similar)
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Honors classes more difficult?
Honors classes are not more difficult in the sense that the material you are learning is more advanced. Honors classes challenge students to think differently, communicate with students in other disciplines, and work with faculty throughout the College. The interdisciplinary nature of the Honors Program is meant to make you think and apply materials to current events and topics, as opposed to the unilateral process of a course offered as a single topic.
If I didn't enter Florida Southern College as an Honors student, can I join the program?
Students who are already enrolled at Florida Southern and wish to apply to the program must do so by the end of their first semester at Florida Southern College. In order to be considered, students must have a minimum 3.5 GPA and a letter of recommendation from a faculty member.
What about transfer students?
Transfer students may also be eligible for the Honors Program on a case-by-case basis, particularly if they were honors students at their previous schools.
Does Florida Southern offer additional Honors Programs in my major?
Several programs offer honors options, including Accounting, Biology, Chemistry, English, History, Music, Philosophy, Psychology, and Religion. Please contact your counselor for more information.
What are the academic requirements to remain in the Honors Program?
Honors students, as academic leaders on the campus, must maintain the highest standards of academic integrity and quality. Students must earn a ‘C’ or higher in all honors courses and maintain a cumulative GPA of a 3.5 or higher to graduate from the Honors Program.
Can I participate in the Honors Program if I come in with college credit or an AA degree?
The Honors Program curriculum is 23 to 26 credit hours, in addition to required major hours. This means that Southern College’s Honors Program requires six semesters to complete, and students with plans of spending at least 3 years as undergraduates at Florida Southern are ideal candidates for the program. Students entering Florida Southern with substantial college credits who plan to accelerate their graduation timeline significantly (graduating in less than 3 full years) are encouraged to focus their talents within their academic program, research opportunities, academic honor societies, and other opportunities on campus rather than the Honors Program.
Are there scholarships for Honors Program students?
No, participation in the Honors Program itself does not come with any specific scholarship programs, and it does not add additional charges at FSC. However, many Honors Program applicants would be excellent applicants for the Prestige and Premier Scholarships, which offer additional aid opportunities.
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