Gordon College

HONORS PROGRAM

The Honors Program of Gordon College is designed to provide opportunities for academically talented and intellectually curious students to obtain an enhanced collegiate educational experience. The program encourages a small group of highly engaged students from diverse academic disciplines to create an enriched learning environment. This camaraderie is fostered by taking academically advanced versions of regular classes that focus on critical thinking skills, discussion, and individual research. The program also provides a broad array of cultural experiences, specialized academic advising and mentoring, and additional opportunities for learning and self discovery, both within and outside the classroom setting.

FAQS

What makes this program special?

Students in the Honors Program enjoy a number of special privileges:
  • Small class sizes in the Honors Program and the chance to develop camaraderie with other prepared and motivated students
  • First choice of classes each semester
  • Honors classes created to stimulate and challenge
  • Honors housing, with quiet study space, if desired
  • Special event trips each year to museums, theatres, and festivals
  • Student conferences at colleges and universities in the region
  • Special recognition at graduation, with designation on diploma and regalia

What are the requirements for getting into the program?

For entering Freshmen (full-time or part-time students):
  • *Minimum 1200 SAT or 1650 SAT II or 24 ACT
  • *Minimum 3.2 GPA in high school college preparatory curriculum, as calculated by the Georgia Student Finance Commission. (Not required for home-schooled students, who can be admitted with a probationary period of one semester.)
  • Application with short essay (see application form for essay topic)

* Higher than the minimum is expected in at least one element: the SAT/ACT or the GPA. Home-schooled students must have an SAT/ACT score higher than the minimum to be considered.

For later admission of full-time or part-time students:
  • Minimum 3.5 GPA in12 or more hours of college-level courses
  • Letter of recommendation from a Gordon full-time instructor
  • Application with short essay

How do I apply?

Once a student has applied for admission to Gordon College and has been provisionally accepted, the student may apply for the Honors Program by

  1. obtaining an application online at http://www.gdn.edu/forms/admissions/
    honorsapplication.pdf     [ 76k ] or from the Admissions Office.
  2. submitting application and essay (see application form) to
    Admissions (Attn: Ms. Lisa Shiveler)
    Honors Program
    Gordon College
    419 College Drive
    Barnesville, GA 30204
    The application deadline for the 2008-09 academic year is May 10, 2008.

Students accepted into program will receive a letter of acceptance. Accepted students must attend the mid-June New Student Orientation (see letter for date). A separate advising and registration session for Honors students will be held on that day.

Can I take an honors class even if I’m not in the Honors Program?

Yes. A student who is interested in an honors course and who has earned high grades in that subject may contact the Program Coordinator and be considered for placement in the class. Honors Program students will be given priority in registering for an honors class, but open seats will sometimes be available.

Note: For the academic year 2008-2009, we will not know until July how many seats will be open in honors courses.

Are there other program requirements?

Students in the program are evaluated each semester. To continue in the program, students must maintain at least a 3.5 cumulative GPA. A student whose GPA falls below 3.0, has one semester to raise the cumulative GPA to 3.5. If his/her GPA is still below 3.5, the student may appeal for re-entry into the program.

Each semester, Honors Program students will be expected to

  • Attend occasional called meetings of Honors students,
  • Attend at least two approved cultural events at Gordon and one additional off-campus cultural activity with the Honors Program,
  • Participate in one extra-curricular club or other activity,
  • Participate in unpaid community service 15 hours (K-12 tutoring, reading to elementary school students, Lamar Arts, etc.).

To graduate with recognition of achievements as a student in the Honors Program, the student must have a minimum cumulative GPA of at least 3.5. In addition, the student must have earned at least a 3.0 GPA in a minimum of six Honors courses, including English 1101 and Western Civ I or II (or American History I or II for Nursing majors) and one Honors Colloquium.

How do I register for classes?

Students cannot self-register in the honors courses. Students who have been accepted into the Honors Program will register through the Program Coordinator (initially at the orientation).

Other students qualified to enroll in honors classes (see above) should contact the Honors Program Coordinator.

Course Offerings, 2008-2009

Although the class sections with the designation “honors” are primarily taken by students in the honors program, highly motivated students with an interest in experiencing the challenging coursework of a particular honors class are also welcome, as space permits. See eligibility requirements below.

The Fall 2008 and tentative Spring 2009 honors course offerings are as follows:

Fall 2008

  • ENGL 1101H
  • HIST 1122H
  • PSYC 1101H
  • MATH 1113H

Spring 2009 (tentative)

  • ENGL 1102H
  • COLQ 2994H (required)
  • HIST 2112H

Contact Information

For additional information about the Honors Program, contact the Coordinator by email: honors@gdn.edu

or by writing to:
Honors Program
Gordon College
419 College Drive
Barnesville, GA 30204