FISHER COLLEGE

Office of Academic Affairs

Honors Program - (Day)

Mission and Goals

"A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step."
Chinese Proverb
Lao-tzu

The Fisher College Honors Program invites a select community of students on a Journey of Excellence.

These students will be provided enhanced opportunities to explore the interfaces among their area of professional study and the social sciences and humanities; to gain the sensitivity to project and to test the moral and social implications of their future professional judgments and activities; and to foster respect for self and others in preparation for full and productive lives.

The philosophy of the Honors Program is that well-educated individuals should seize the opportunity to take the knowledge they have gained in their educational settings and experiences and apply it to the betterment of the communities from which they come and to those in which they plan to serve.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Students will:

• Demonstrate personal growth in their thinking, values, development, and interactions with others.
• Articulate the value of social and civic involvement and actively participate in community service.
• Gather, analyze, interpret, and express ideas and information. Build and refine decision-making skills within a context of moral and social responsibility.

Admission Requirements and Timetable

Freshman Admission

• High school GPA of 3.0 or better in academic course work
• Minimum ACT composite of 22 or SAT of 1030 and a 500 in critical reading
• Two letters of reference from high school teachers, officials, or non-related individuals (Principal, Assistant Principal, Counselor, or someone who can speak to the applicant's academic abilities)
• Submit one entrance essay
• An interview with representatives of the Honors Committee or a member of the Honors Committee is recommended

Second Semester Freshman Admission

• Submit an application
• Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0
• Provide two letters of recommendation from faculty members
• Submit one entrance essay
• Complete a minimum of 12 credits

(This is the last point of entry for associate degree students.)

• Submit an application
• Have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0
• Provide two letters of recommendation from faculty members
• Submit one entrance essay
• Complete a minimum of 24 credits

(Students who begin in January may apply for admission at the end of their sophomore year.)

Junior Admission (Rising Juniors)

• Submit an application
• Have a cumulative of at least 3.0
• Provide two letters of recommendation from faculty members
• Submit one entrance essay
• Complete at least 48 credits, but no more than 60 credits

Other criteria

• Only full time Day Division students are eligible to apply to the Four-Year Honors Experience.

Applications Process for Students Currently Enrolled

• Candidates who seek fall admission should submit their application materials no later than May 15th
• Candidates who seek spring admission should submit their application materials no later than December 15th
• All materials should be submitted to the Director of the Honors Program

Applicant Essay Questions

1. Describe an experience with an organization or community group of which you have been a member and explain how you contributed to that entity.
2. Members of your Fisher College class will be faced with many challenges on a local, national, and international level in the years ahead. In your opinion, what is the greatest challenge that your generation will face, and what ideas do you have for dealing with this concern?
3. Identify one of your career goals, examine how or why you came to decide on this goal, and discuss how you believe that your work at Fisher College will prepare you to achieve this purpose.

Curriculum

First Year (Fall): Honors EN 101, IS 150 First-Year Honors Colloquium

First Year (Spring): Honors EN 102 (Students beginning the program at this point must take an additional course for Honors Designation)

Second Year (Fall): Minimum of one course for Honors Designation (student may be required to take two)

Second Year (Spring): IS 200 Honors Colloquium

Third Year (Fall): Social Sciences Elective (300- or 400-level). Course specifically designed for and taken by all honor students

Third Year (Spring): Math or Science course (for Honors Designation)

Fourth Year (Fall): Humanities (300- or 400-level) with thesis. Course specifically designed for and taken by all honor students)

• A 20-hour community service component, approved by and under the direction of the Honors Program Director, will be required of four-year honor students. These students will complete five hours of community service during each semester of their junior and senior years. Also, a paper in which students reflect on their community service, detailing what they have learned, will be required.
• The fourth-year Humanities course will incorporate a thesis, and a Convocation will be planned allowing students to highlight their accomplishments. The Convocation will be in December.

Probationary Status & Dismissal

Honors Probationary Status:

1. Administrative withdrawal from a course; or
2. Failure to meet the GPA of 3.0; or
3. Placement on academic probation; or
4. More than one consecutive semester of honors probationary status will result in dismissal from the Honors Program