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Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have to be a genius?
No. Our program is searching for bright, hard-working, self-motivated students who want to get the most from their undergraduate experiences. We believe honors students have the potential to become leaders in their professions, their communities, and their churches, and we want to help them achieve the highest level to which they aspire. We are looking for students with inquisitive minds, a commitment to excellence, and the desire to serve others by making the most of their God-given talents.
Is this college compatible with the mission of Harding?
Yes, emphatically so. The mission statement of the Honors College is a microcosm of the university's mission statement. In fact, more than anything else, we want to integrate faith, learning, and living in all students at Harding. The Honors College is designed to help some of the best prepared students who come to Harding have the best experience that they can while they are here. The classes, activities, and fellowship within the Honors College are planned to engage the students in the very life of the campus. While they are here, we want them to be leaders in social, political, academic, professional, and, especially, spiritual activities. And when they graduate, we want program participants to be prepared to serve God and humanity in the best way possible by being the best person that each one of them could be. We strive to enhance the university's success in achieving its mission with all students.
What is the difference between honor scholars and students?
Honors Scholars are incoming freshmen who are National Merit Scholars, Trustee Scholarship recipients, or a few others who have scored 31 or higher on the ACT (SAT combined critical reading and math score of 1330). There are only 40 Honors Scholars in each freshman class. Honors Students include all incoming freshmen who score 27 or above on the ACT (SAT combined critical reading and math score of 1200). Currently enrolled and transfer students can also petition for admission.
Can I take honors classes if my ACT was slightly under 27?
Not your first semester. However, if you earn a 3.25 GPA for the term, you can petition the Dean for admission. It only takes an application and two letters of recommendation from faculty members.
What are the advantages of taking honors courses?
The most obvious advantage is having classes that are smaller. HNRS courses are capped at 20 students each. The H-sections are downsized by 10-50 percent. Smaller classes also mean more discussion, more interaction among the students, and closer contact with the teachers.
How will my honors work be recognized?
All honors classes, including contract classes, are designated on the students' transcripts. Therefore, everyone who sees a transcript can tell how much honors work a student has done.
What is the advantage of having honors classes on my transcript?
Research shows that employers, graduate schools, and professional schools value honors work quite highly. In fact, often they will choose students with honors credits over those without honors work but having a higher GPA. Their rationale is that a 4.00 GPA is harder to interpret than the academic experiences--more writing, speaking, group projects, and student-faculty interaction--involved in honors classes.
How many classes do I need to graduate from the honors college?
To graduate from the Honors College you must earn 20 hours of honors credit, including four HNRS courses or four H-sections, and 4 Honors Contracts. To graduate with distinction--the highest level of recognition in the honors college, you will need to earn 26 hours of honors credits, including four HNRS courses or four H-sections and four honors contract courses including an honors capstone in your major, while maintaining a 3.5 GPA.
Will my GPA suffer if I take honors classes?
Not necessarily. Honors classes are designed to be different, not more difficult than the regular classes. The emphasis is placed on different skills and applications, not necessarily more work or harder work. Some students may find some assignments more difficult because of their own tastes. Statistical studies have revealed that first semester honors students actually do better than comparably prepared students not doing honors courses. We think that the strong support system within the program and the smaller classes and greater interaction with teachers all help the freshmen honors students do well.
Can students in all majors participate in Honors College?
Our Honors College is designed to serve all majors at Harding. We currently have students from all six colleges and schools involved, and we think that all majors, including the pre-professional ones, can benefit. The classes are smaller, the interaction with other students and teachers is more effective, and the stimulation of working with well-prepared students enlivens each course. In addition, the leadership skills taught and modeled help all graduates to progress in their careers and further education.
Can I still participate in clubs, sports, etc.?
Absolutely. While our college focuses on strong academics, it recognizes that students need a well-rounded undergraduate experience. Honors program participants have always been involved in and leaders of extracurricular activities all over campus. Many are always involved in the choruses and bands, drama, Spring Sing, and social clubs, and some have even served as host or hostess of Spring Sing, and as student government leaders. Being involved in Honors does not prohibit students from any activities that they choose to pursue.
Can I study at one of the international programs and participate in the Honors College?
Definitely. In fact, we encourage students to participate in any extracurricular or co-curricular program that enhances their undergraduate experiences. Many students do contracts in their international classes and, depending on the faculty available, honors credits can generally be earned in each international location. In addition to being able to participate in any program, students now have the option to go on a program especially designed for Honors Students. We plan to offer these Honors Semesters abroad every three to four years.
Who advises Honors participants? What if I don't have a major?
You need an advisor in the academic discipline in which you are majoring to provide answers to your specific questions about the major. The Dean of the Honors College serves as a consultant to answer questions about honors. If you know your major, go to be advised in that discipline. If you are undecided, you should go to the undecided group where there are advisors trained to help honors participants who have no majors.
Does the Honors College provide anything beyond the courses?
Yes, the officers of the Honors Association plan lots of social, educational, cultural, and spiritual activities. We sponsor picnics and cookouts, retreats, devotionals, service projects, monthly meetings with on- and off-campus speakers, and even trips to the opera. Not everyone can participate in all the activities, but the program supports a variety to encourage all the students to become involved.
Does it cost more to participate in the Honors College?
Since no honors courses are add-ons, almost no student has any added expense to earn honors credits. It is possible that a very few students with unusual scheduling limitations might have to take one honors course that did not fulfill a graduation requirement. The "extra" course might even be justified by the way it was taught or by the skills that it helped the student develop.
What happens to Honors participants after they leave Harding?
Many go on to prestigious graduate schools, such as Duke, Michigan, Indiana, and Louisiana State. Some go on to professional programs at UAMS, Georgia Tech, Missouri, Texas, Virginia, Georgetown, and Vanderbilt. Some continue their Christian education at Harding Graduate School in Memphis, Pepperdine or ACU. Some immediately start their careers in teaching or nursing or with firms like Penzoil. Some dedicate themselves to full-time ministry positions as pulpit and youth ministers, as well as missionaries.
How do I contact the Honors Office?
The Honors Office is in the Sears Honors Center. The Honors Center houses a lounge, a kitchen, study and conference rooms, and administrative offices.
You can reach Dr. Jeff Hopper, the Dean of the Honors College, by calling 501-279-4478 or by e-mail at hopper@harding.edu.
Donna Jo Roberson, the Honors College secretary, may be contacted at 501-279-4056 or by e-mail at droberson@harding.edu.
Debbie Baird, the Honors College assistant, may be reached at 501-279-4157 or by e-mail at dbaird@harding.edu.
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