Honors Program

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Requirements for the Honors Program:

Students who successfully complete the University Honors Program will graduate with Distinction as a University Honors Scholar, which is recorded on the student’s transcript. Students must complete at least 21 hours of Honors credit with a minimum overall GPA of 3.25, and a 3.50 GPA in Honors courses to be eligible for Distinction as a University Honors Scholar.

As part of the 21 hours, students must complete either an Honors-designated section of LA 478 or HON 492, Honors Senior Colloquium. Centered on collective experience in the Liberal Arts Core coursework, the Honors capstone will bring together students from all disciplines for reflection on the nature of the Humanities and the role of a liberal arts education in the 21st century. Students will complete reflections, presentations, and group discussions and must demonstrate mastery of some aspect of interdisciplinary learning and public discourse.

Honors Program students who are unable to complete the entire Honors Program, but who complete at least 11 hours of Honors coursework, including either an Honors-designated section of LA 478 or HON 492, and maintain the required GPA minimums are eligible for Recognition as an Honors Scholar. Although this isn’t recorded on the transcript, it may be included on resumes and curriculum vitae. This track is particularly designed to remove barriers to transfer students for participation in the Honors Program.

Good Standing

To remain in good standing with the Honors Program, students must meet the criteria listed below. Ordinarily, students not meeting these requirements will have one semester after falling below the standards to comply. In special cases, as indicated below, the Honors Program Director will regularly assess the standing of students who make significant progress toward compliance. Students who remain in noncompliance with no progress after one semester will be suspended from the program and will have to reapply for admission through the Honors Program office.

GPA
Students must maintain an overall GPA of at least 3.25. A student whose overall GPA falls below 3.25 will have one semester in which to raise the GPA to the minimum level. If after one semester, the GPA remains below 3.25, the student may request a waiver from the Honors Program Director to remain in the program. The Director, after consultation with the student’s instructors for the term in question, may grant such a waiver in extenuating circumstances.

Regular enrollment in Honors courses
Students must complete at least 3 hours of Honors credit every other semester. Students not meeting this criterion may request a waiver from the Honors Program Director to remain in the program. The Director may grant such a waiver in extenuating circumstances.

Obtaining Honors Credit via Honors Contracts

Students may earn Honors credit in course sections not designated as Honors by fulfilling the expectations of an Honors contract. The student will work with the instructor to develop a contract stipulating the additional work the student must complete, above and beyond ordinary course expectations, in order to earn Honors credit. The contract must then be approved by the Honors Director and faculty members of the Honors Program Advisory Committee. The course instructor and Honors Director together will determine whether the student has successfully completed the stipulated work by the semester’s end.

Honors Credit for Courses Taken at Schools Other than UNC Asheville

Students may receive Honors credit for courses taken at other institutions, either through transfer or through Study Abroad.

Transfer students who were in Honors programs at other institutions may petition the Honors Program director for up to 9 credit hours for Honors-designated classes taken at previous institutions.

Study Abroad students may be granted up to 6 credit-hours for one term or semester of Study Abroad and up to 9 credit-hours for one year of Study Abroad. Honors credit will only be given for Study Abroad courses taken at the 300-level or higher. Students wishing to receive Honors credit for courses taken through a UNC Asheville approved Study Abroad program should review the Honors Program website, http://honors.unca.edu/, for specific details on what is required to have a Study Abroad course count for Honors. Students must contact the Honors Program office prior to departing on the trip.