Send your questions to Dr. Capuzza: capuzzja@muc.edu

Why should I join the Honors Program?

You can use the Honors Program to increase the depth and breadth of your course of study, researching topics of your choice with the guidance of your favorite professors. Honors seminars are interdisciplinary in scope and usually offer opportunities for more individual study than you may experience in most other courses. In addition to the academic challenge, participation in the Honors Program offers other advantages. Employers and graduate schools often consider students who take part in an Honors Program to be more motivated and able to take on more responsibility. This outlook upon honors students can increase employment opportunities and enhance graduate school admission chances.

Is an "H" like an "A" in my GPA for a class?

No. The "H" that appears on your transcript simply recognizes that you successfully completed the course for Honors. Only the regular letter grade is used to determine your grade point average. Incidentlly, the "H" can only be granted if you earn at least a B+ on both the Honors project and in the course as a whole.

Can I ask my professors for ideas about good Honors projects?

Certainly! In fact, I recommend that you consult with your professors about project ideas. They can usually help you come up with some great projects.

What's the difference between graduating summa, magna, or cum laude and the Honors program?

Graduation with Honors such as summa, magna, and cum laude is solely dependent upon you grade point average. It just happens if your GPA is high enough! Check the current College Catalogue for details. Graduation with Honors in Liberal Arts, or graduation with Honors in a Major is a little different. To graduate with Honors in Liberal Studies, you must have a GPA of 3.5 or greater, and have completed four Honors courses with grades of B+ or better. To graduate with Honors in a Major, you must have a GPA in the major of 3.5 or greater, and complete at least three courses for Honors in the major (a minimum of 12 semester hours) numbered at the 200 level or above. Individual academic departments may have other requirements as well.

Can I withdraw from an honors program without penalty?

Yes. You can withdraw from an honors course as you would any other course. You also may decide not to carry out an approved Honors in the Major project without it affecting the final grade for the course.

What are the privileges honors students receive?

Honors students have the opportunity to work at a faster pace, with top professors, on topics they are most interested in. In addition to these obvious benefits, honors students also are priority registration, overload tuition waivers, honor housing, invitations to special cultural and social events on and off campus, and more.

Can I participate in more than one honors program?

Yes! If eligible, you can participate in as many honors programs as you wish. Each program is self-contained and each earns students special recognition.

What commits me to the honors program?

All students are asked to complete a Declaration of Commitment form available from the Director of Honors programs or off of this website. This form functions much the same as a Declaration of Major forms and assists in the administration of the honors programs.

Should I wait a semester or two and get used to college before I register for honors courses?

No. Honors courses are designed to help you make the most of your college experience: you will want to take honors courses as soon as possible. We recommend you register for at least one honors course each semester for the first two years and complete the Honors First-Year writing requirement within the first two semesters. As you begin your college career, counseling provided by the Honors Advisement Center will help you plan efficiently.