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Honors Program

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The Lourdes University Honors Program provides motivated and talented students a superior Franciscan education that is intellectually rewarding, interdisciplinary, rigorous, and research-oriented. The program aims to offer vibrant scholarly and cultural opportunities to help students become dynamic leaders and passionately engaged global citizens. As a result, these high-achieving students can enhance their creative thinking and critical inquiry skills to academically prepare to pursue graduate studies or for their chosen career path. The mission and goals of the Honors Program further outline its plan to enrich the community.

ADMISSIONS

The Honors Program offers a competitive application process. Each year, a select group of applicants are accepted into the program, based on review of their application essay, letters of recommendation, and academic information.

Incoming freshmen are eligible to apply to the Lourdes Honors Program if they meet one of the following three criteria:

  • ACT Composite 24
  • SAT 1160
  • High School GPA 3.5

ADMISSIONS APPLICATION

Prospective direct-from-high school students must:

  • Complete the Honors Program Application Form, including the Honors Application Essay
  • Submit two letters of recommendation, preferably from high school teachers
  • Place into college-level English and Math as determined using Accuplacer or ACT/SAT scores.
  • Engage in an application interview, if needed

For best consideration, applications should be submitted for the Honors Program for fall first-year admission by April 10 for fall semester. The Honors Council reviews applications as they are received. If accepted, applicants become members of the Honors Program beginning in the fall semester of their freshman year.

CURRENT/TRANSFER STUDENT ADMISSIONS

Prospective current/transfer students must:

  • Complete the Honors Program Application Form, including the Honors Application Essay
  • Submit two letters of recommendation, preferably from college professors
  • Engage in an application interview, if needed

Current Student Applicants

Here are the overall requirements for current Lourdes students applying to the Honors Program:

  • Cumulative college GPA of at least a 3.5
  • The student must have completed the first semester of Lourdes University coursework, but have earned no more than 55 credit hours.
  • The student must expect to register at Lourdes for at least four more semesters before graduation to be able to complete Honors coursework.

Transfer Student Applicants

Here are the overall requirements for transfer students applying to the Honors Program:

  • Cumulative college GPA of at least a 3.5
  • The student must expect to register at Lourdes for at least four semesters before graduation to be able to complete Honors coursework.

HONORS DIPLOMA GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

Honors students are required to complete:

  • Honors Program Orientation
  • 24 hours of Honors credit (as recommended by the National Collegiate Honors Council)
  • One leadership and/or civic engagement experience per academic year
  • A scholarly senior thesis or capstone project under the direction of a full-time faculty member in the student’s major area of study

HONORS PROGRAM ADVANTAGES

  • Honors course sections with a rich interactive environment, designed and delivered specifically for honors students to develop a culture of inquiry
  • Priority registration with the faculty advisor and Honors Program director
  • Membership in an honors Lourdes housing community in Lourdes Commons
  • Opportunity to participate in leadership and service learning experiences as well as cultural events and immersion experiences
  • Opportunity to enroll in upper level honors integrated courses
  • Research-based honors capstone project with participation in the Lourdes University Research & Scholarship Symposium
  • Honors recognition on diploma and the Honors Program Medallion with a cumulative GPA of 3.3 and the completion of 24 credit hours of honors courses

SCHOLARSHIP AND AWARDS

Upon acceptance into the Honors Program, students will receive an annual $2,000 Honors Scholarship that is renewable for up to four years.