Honors College Undergraduate Certificate, 2-year Program

Two year Program (22 credit hours total):

Students in this program will take a combination of Honors College seminars and honors independent study credit (usually for work done in their major fields). The 22 credit hours must include 6 credits of independent study, as for the four-year program.

Third Year

During the first year of the two-year program, students take three honors seminars, including HONORS 3100 (Writing the City), HONORS 3120 (Honors Business Writing), or HONORS 3160 (Honors Writing in the Sciences); one course from the Inquiries series (2000 level); one course from either the Advanced Seminar (3000 level). In addition, 3 credit hours of independent study may be taken during this year, normally in or closely related to their major.

Fourth Year

The final year of the two-year program involves three courses chosen from the 3000 and 4000 level options, including HONORS 4100, the honors writing portfolio, and at least one course chosen from the 3000 level.  In addition, students will complete their independent study requirements with 3 or 6 hours of project, internship, or research work.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, certificate earners will be able to:

• Through coursework comparing and contrasting diverse cultural viewpoints, academic disciplinary approaches and information, Honors students will demonstrate the ability to synthesize knowledge from various perspectives.
• Honors students will exhibit the ability to communicate effectively in speech and writing:
  • by speaking in groups to present, reflect on and evaluate information and perspectives.
  • by completing the written assignments required in all Honors courses that focus on various perspectives, audiences and disciplinary approaches(demonstrating effective writing that employs correct diction, syntax, usage, grammar and mechanics.
• Honors students will demonstrate skills in higher-order thinking, valuing and managing information:
  • by exhibiting the ability to distinguish among opinions, facts and inferences; by identifying underlying or implicit ins assumptions; by making informed judgments; and by solving problems through applying evaluative standards.
  • by locating, accessing, synthesizing and annotating information from print, electronic, and other sources; by distinguishing between scholarly and non-scholarly sources in preparation for higher-order thinking.
  • by analyzing and synthesizing information from a variety of sources, applying the results to resolving complex situations and problems, and defending conclusions using relevant evidence and reasoned argument.
  • by utilizing cultural, behavioral, and historical knowledge to clarify and articulate a personal value system while recognizing the ramifications of personal value decisions on the self and others.
  • by identifying conflicts within and between multiple perspectives and value systems; by recognizing and analyzing ethical issues in a variety of contexts; and by employing standards of logic to formulate a reasonable position among multiple perspectives.
• Honors students will select and participate in Honors courses in various disciplines and will demonstrate essential skills and approaches relevant to those disciplines: Students participating in Honors courses in disciplines such as the social sciences, life and physical sciences that rely upon the understanding of fundamental mathematical concepts and their applications will display a level of quantitative literacy that would enable them to understand and analyze quantitative data, draw conclusions, and solve problems.
• Students participating in Honors courses in the social and behavioral sciences will exhibit understanding of themselves and the world around them through the study of the content and methodologies used by historians and social and behavioral scientists to discover, describe, explain, and predict human behavior and social systems; they will demonstrate understanding of the diversities and complexities of the cultural and social world, past and present, and come to an informed sense of self and others.
• Students participating in Honors courses in the humanities and fine arts will exhibit understanding and critical analysis of the ways in which people have addressed their condition through literature and art; they will demonstrate their understanding of these cultural works and their historical circumstances; they will formulate aesthetic judgments of these works.
• Students participating in Honors courses focusing on life and physical sciences will demonstrate knowledge of scientific principles, research procedures and empirical methods of scientific enquiry; they will display their understanding of how scientific discoveries affect and are affected by theoretical views of the world and human history.
• Honors students will complete specific Honors requirements designed to develop their awareness of career and advanced study opportunities:
  • by participating in internships, independent study and undergraduate research to develop and demonstrate advanced knowledge in a discipline, professional skills, and greater understanding of career and educational goals.
  • by creating an Honors Writing Portfolio that demonstrates the ability to assess their writing skills and development; by devising and revising documents for employment searches or graduate school applications to enhance their ability to formulate and pursue specific career goals.