Do I have to complete Heidelberg's General Education Requirements?
No. Students in the Honors Program complete a series of seminars and a series of Support Courses. The thematic seminars and the support courses provide the breadth of learning, which non-Honors students acquire through the General Education Requirements.
What if I fall below the required GPA for continuation in the Honors Program?
To remain in good standing in the Honors Program, a student must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or higher. If the cumulative GPA falls below 3.3, then the student’s status in the program is in jeopardy. In such a case, the student may appeal to the Associate Dean of Honors for an additional semester to improve her or his cumulative GPA. If a student is dismissed or voluntarily withdraws from the Honors Program, then he or she has the choice of completing the Honors requirements or approved substitutions, minus HNR 455 (Senior Honors Project), HNR 307 (Service Learning), and the Honors portfolio, or completing the General Education requirements.
Is the Honors Program an "add-on" requirement?
No. As suggested above, because Honors students are not required to complete the General Education Requirements, the Honors Program does not entail additional academic hours or courses to complete. It is a replacement, not an "add-on," series of components.
How do I complete the Service Learning component of the Honors Program?
The Service Learning component typically occurs during the junior year, with some flexibility allowable. Honors students complete a minimum of 40 hours of service at one of the selected area agencies either prior to or during their completion of HNR 307, Service Learning Seminar.
The Service Learning Coordinator who tracks their progress and facilitates reflection of students' service experiences during the Service Learning Seminar prepares students for their placement experience. The Service Learning requirement may also be net by successful completion of NDI 345, Service Learning on the US/Mexico Border.
Can I major in Education and still complete the Honors Program requirements?
Although education requirements are demanding, it is possible to complete an education major and fulfill the Honors Program requirements in eight semesters. The chair of the Education Department should be consulted in planning support courses. Students pursuing a degree in music education are able to fulfill both education and Honors Program requirements because they complete only two support courses. They do complete all other Honors Program requirements.
What is an Honors Seminar?
An Honors seminar is a semester-length course designed by a faculty member, which reflects one of the four themes of the Life of the Mind: the Scholar, the Scientist, the Artist, and the Citizen. The issues around which the seminars are focused reflect the instructor's expertise and/or special interests. Honors students are encouraged to complete one seminar each year although there is flexibility permitted.
What are the benefits of the Senior Honors Project?
First, the student is permitted to explore an issue or research area, which is self-selected. Second, the student works with a faculty member who has agreed to mentor the project. Third, on completion of the Senior Honors Project, the student has a valuable piece of work for use as a writing sample for the job search or graduate school entrance.
What are the privileges and benefits the Honors Students receive?
Many Heidelberg Honors students have the opportunity to study together in a community of scholars in seminars specifically designed for them. During those semesters when an Honors student is registered for an Honors seminar, registration is without additional fee if the student registers for "over-hours" up to the number of seminar hours they are completing. In addition, Honors students enjoy priority registration.
Honors students have access to the Honors House, with its lounge and computer lab. Finally, Heidelberg Honors students graduate with an Honors Diploma, a valuable credential for the job search or graduate school entrance.
What should I do first?
Register for HNR 111, Introduction to the Life of the Mind. In this one-hour course you will be introduced to the four seminar themes, the theory behind Service Learning and other aspects of the Honors Program.