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Honors Program

The Honors Program at Franklin University offers an added opportunity for students seeking to do research and scholarship. The program is especially suitable for students contemplating graduate study after Franklin. The program is open to students who have shown academic excellence and completed at least one semester at Franklin University or another institution of higher learning. The Honors program emphasizes the acquisition of advanced research skills and more interdisciplinary research perspectives by its annual honors seminar, the Honors Senior Capstone Experience Preparation Workshop, and a select group of honors tutorials in existing courses that will highlight the process of doing research. Students should be aware that these courses can be particularly challenging in terms of time and demands on their intellect and imagination. The senior year will culminate in an honors project or thesis in the student’s discipline of choice. Further, the Honors Program may also include an optional Service Learning component.

Mission

The Honors Program at Franklin University offers interested students an opportunity to pursue cross-disciplinary research and scholarship while working closely with faculty and other highly qualified students. It offers students opportunities to pursue more in-depth studies in their chosen fields of academic interest, thus expanding their knowledge further and stressing their academic skills. In addition, the Honors Program provides talented and highly motivated students with a chance to explore beyond the boundaries of their regular undergraduate curriculum through a series of interdisciplinary seminars. Members of the Honors Program are encouraged to give back to the community through both service and the sharing of their knowledge, expertise and experiences.

Requirements

Students may enter the program after having completed at least one semester at Franklin University Switzerland or another institution of higher learning. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher and good disciplinary standing at the University is required for admission into the program. All students must maintain the minimum admission criteria each semester to remain in the program.

Students not in the program may be allowed to register for individual honors seminars, dependent upon available space in the course, the approval of the academic advisor, and permission of the instructor.

To obtain the Honors Certificate, a student must complete a minimum total of 12 honors credit hours, including:

  • A minimum of one honors seminar (3 Credits) (usually taught in Spring)

  • HON 499 Honors Senior Capstone Experience Preparation Workshop (non-credit bearing) - an advanced workshop in the Senior Year, or with permission of the instructor

  • An honors capstone (3 credits). To meet this requirement, students will register for the senior capstone in their major (thesis, senior project, or senior research project), which they will pursue for honors credit.

  • An additional 6 credit hours in honors seminars, honors tutorials (honors options) in regularly scheduled courses, as approved by the Honors Coordinator and the respective advisor.

In addition to the strictly curricular component, students in the program are expected to attend relevant events sponsored by the University and the Honors Society, and to participate actively in the Honors Society.