Honors Program

The Concord University Honors Program enriches the academic experience of high-achieving undergraduate students through innovative, interdisciplinary learning that fosters creativity, intellectual curiosity, and civic responsibility. In alignment with the University's mission, the program encourages students to engage in advanced scholarship, artistic and professional development, and meaningful community service. By offering opportunities that are broader, deeper, and more complex than traditional undergraduate education, the Honors Program prepares students to become lifelong learners and leaders committed to improving their communities and the world. Specific Program goals are:

Foster intellectual and creative growth
Promote civic and community engagement
Encourage lifelong learning and professional development
Create a supportive and inclusive Honors community

Eligibility

Incoming students with a GPA of 3.5 (on a 4.0 scale) and a minimum score of 26 on the ACT composite or 1240 on the SAT are invited to participate in the Honors Program. Transfer students and currently enrolled students with a minimum GPA of 3.5 (on a 4.0 scale) may also join the Honors Program. Submit the Honors Program Interest Form to be considered. Students who have earned more than 78 hours of credit toward graduation from Concord are not eligible for the Honors Program. The Honors Program Director, in consultation with the Honors Committee, may admit students who do not meet standard criteria or deny admission to those deemed unsuitable.

Curriculum and Academic Requirements

To complete the Honors Program, students must earn at least 16 hours of Honors credit with a minimum grade of a B in each Honors course, and a minimum GPA of 3.3 for all coursework at Concord. The two required courses in the curriculum are HONR 101 , Honors Orientation, and HONR 301 , Honors Seminar. Students plan the remainder of their Honors Curriculum in consultation with the Honors Program Director and academic advisor. Students may earn Honors credit by completing a combination of:

Honors Courses (designated HONR)
Honors Sections of General Education Courses
Honors Enhanced Courses (Honors Projects)
Honors Cross-Listed Courses
Other Academic Activities

Honors Courses

HONR 101 Freshman Honors Orientation(1) : An orientation to the Honors Program and the University. This course replaces UNIV 100 for incoming freshman.

HONR 301 Honors Seminar(3) : Multidisciplinary courses on unique topics. At least 3 hours required; may be taken multiple times for up to 9 hours. Open to all students with a 3.30 GPA or higher, but only Honors students receive Honors credit.

Honors General Education Courses: Innovative sections of general education courses offered each fall. These fulfill general education requirements and earn equivalent Honors credit. Open to students with a 3.3 GPA or higher; only Honors students receive Honors credit.

Honors Enhanced Courses (Honors Projects): A regular course enhanced by a student-designed honors project (artistic, research-based, or service-oriented) developed with and mentored by the instructor. Projects must relate to the course topic, match the expected level of difficulty based on the course number (e.g., 100-level, 200-level), and demonstrate significant achievement. Honors credit equals the course's credit hours. All projects require approval by the Honors Program Director and Committee. Honors Project Applications are due at the end of the first month of the semester; exact deadlines are announced each term.

Honors Cross-Listed Courses: Each Spring semester, the Honors Program cross-lists a unique topical course with HONR 301 , providing students with more options for Honors coursework.

Other Academic Activities

Academic Presentation: Students may earn 3 hours of Honors credit by completing an approved academic presentation or performance. Eligible activities include public presentations of scholarly research, artistic work, or community engagement at conferences, symposia, or similar venues. This substitution may be used once. Students must submit the Presentation Reporting Form with documentation (e.g., conference program). Upon approval, the Honors Program Director will record the credit in Degree Works.

UNIV 100 Peer Mentor: Honors students may earn 1 hour of Honors credit by serving as Peer Mentors for UNIV 100 CU Foundations and enrolling in UNIV 400 . The Honors Program Director will notify the Registrar, who will apply the "H" designation to the student's grade.

Co-Curricular Participation

Honors students must participate in at least three University-sponsored activities each semester and in most Honors Program events. Students must report their participation by submitting the Enrichment Activity Report by the last class day of each semester.