Honors Program

Coordinator : Irene M. Wolf

The Honors Program at Saint Francis is a full four-year curriculum designed to challenge intellectually ambitious students from all disciplines. While pursuing their major field of study, students enroll in Honors courses, which allow in-depth, creative study of a variety of subject areas.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students are introduced to the Honors Program through a year-long learning community experience consisting of a four-course sequence with intense critical thinking, writing and speaking components. Franciscan ideal of concern for others above self, service learning activities are built into all upper-level Honors seminars. An original research project is the program’s capstone requirement.

Admission Requirements

Entering Freshmen

upper one-fifth high school class rank
3.25 quality point average (cumulative)
1200 combined SAT score, emphasis on the verbal score
extracurricular activities
faculty/guidance counselor recommendations
interview with Honors Program Director (or designate)

Students deficient in one or more areas may be admitted to the program at the discretion of the Honors Program Director.

Current Students

Students beyond their first semester at Saint Francis who wish to enroll in the Honors Program may petition the director for admission if the following criteria are met:

3.25 quality point average (cumulative)
two letters of recommendation from Saint Francis faculty who have taught the student
interview with Honors Program director

Transfer Students

Transfer students who defer their application for one semester or more may apply in accordance with the criteria for “Current Students” (directly above). Those who apply immediately will follow the criteria below:

3.25 quality point average (cumulative) from transfer institution(s)
two letters of recommendation from faculty who have taught the student at previous institution(s)
interview with Honors Program director
all requirements for “Entering Freshmen” listed above

Progression and/or Retention Criteria

Enroll in at least honors course each year and maintain a 3.2 Q.P.A.

Graduation Requirements

A candidate for graduation must satisfy the following requirements:

Complete all requirements for an approved program of study;
- To receive the Honors diploma:
  - -you must have achieved at least a 3.25 (cumulative) Q.P.A.
  - -you must have completed the following courses–
    - HNRS 101
    - ENGL 103H
    - Two other Honors core courses
    - HNRS 2__Sophomore Seminar
    - HNRS 331 Directed Readings
    - HNRS 335 Thesis Prep
    - HNRS 444 Senior thesis/project
Complete the minimum number of credits (128 for a bachelor’s degree; 64 for an associate’s degree);
Repeat for an acceptable passing grade any course required for the major in which the grade of “F” has been received;
Complete the last 30 credits for the degree at SFU;
Achieved at least a 3.25 (cumulative) Q.P.A.
Achieve a cumulative grade point average of 2.00 or better in all major or collateral requirements;
Satisfy the requirements of the General Education core curriculum;
Satisfy the capstone requirement as specified by the major department(s);
Submit a completed Application for Degree form at least one semester prior to graduation date; and
Satisfy financial obligations to the University.

Capstone Requirement

SENIOR HONORS THESIS/PROJECT

General Information:

thesis/project is awarded a letter grade. The grade is determined by your thesis mentor

you must earn at least a “C” on the thesis/project in order to earn the Honors diploma

thesis/project is directed by a mentor and two readers. The mentor and the readers usually are faculty or staff members of the university. At least one of the readers must come from a discipline outside the one under study. In other words, if your thesis is being done in psychology, you may choose your mentor and one of your readers from psychology, but the second reader must represent another discipline (e.g., English, philosophy, history, etc.). The mentor determines the final grade for the thesis.