CATALOG

This is a program designed for students who wish to advance their educational experience beyond traditional coursework by undertaking additional challenges within their classes and their community.  Students in this program undertake a rigorous direction of study that includes not only coursework but also opportunities for development of cross-cultural awareness and perspective in a variety of forums and through community service.

To qualify for the Heritage University Honors Program, students need to have a high school diploma and a minimum of a 3.3 grade point average on a 4.0 scale.  Transfer and current Heritage students have a slightly different set of guidelines. To apply, students submit the supplemental application for the Honors program along with an application for general admission to Heritage University and supporting letters from two high school or college instructors nominating them for this program.  The admission process also includes an interview with a panel of Heritage University faculty and a spontaneous writing sample. 

For the first two years of the program, students take honors sections of General University Requirement (GUR) courses.  Typical schedules for the first two years are shown below.  After two years, students may either enter a major here at Heritage University or transfer to a school offering other majors. Since Heritage University has agreements with both the University of Washington and Washington State University, this program can serve to prepare and coordinate a smooth transfer to these as well as other universities. 

During their junior and senior years, Honors students at Heritage University in some departments may be able to take additional honors courses to complete their degree requirements.  If their department offers upper-level honors courses, such courses will require academic or creative work beyond that generally required for upper-division courses. 

Here is a typical Honors Program schedule:

NOTE: Students completing 6 credits in HON 101, 102, and 201 will receive credit for the required 6 credits of fine arts in the General University Requirements. (GUR's)
Honors Seminar 
Honors Program students participate in a special forum called the Honors Seminar.  These courses provide a unique opportunity for Honors students to interact with Heritage University faculty, scholars from other colleges and universities, and community leaders to make academic presentations, to develop and implement strategies for community improvement, and to participate in cultural events.

These seminars include the following:

HON    101      Orientation (Honors Seminar I)
HON     102     Cultural Honors Seminar (Honors Seminar II)
HON     201     MacArthur Fellows Honors Seminar (Honors Seminar III)
HON     202     Faculty/Student Honors Seminar (Honors Seminar VI)

HON       101        Honors Seminar I (1)                                                                            1 credits
Seminar for First-Year Honors Program students; students will meet regularly to participate in cultural, academic, and service activities at the university and in the community.  Offered fall semester

HON       102        Honors Seminar II                                                                                 3 credits
Seminar for first year Honors Program students; students will attend a variety of cultural events such as concerts, plays, museums, powwows, and fiestas; offered spring semesters

HON       201        Honors Seminar III                                                                                   1-3 credits
Seminar for second year Honors Program students; students will meet regularly to participate in cultural and academic activities at the university and in the community, including meeting with scholars, artists, teachers, and others from a variety of backgrounds and disciplines to learn more about the career paths and life options open to them.  Offered fall semester

HON       202        Honors Seminar IV                                                                                  1-3 credits
Seminar for second year Honors Program students; students will meet with accomplished scholars, artists, teachers, and so on from a variety of backgrounds and occupations.  Students will be able to learn more about the career options and life paths open to them.  Offered fall semester

HON       401       Preparation for Graduate and Professional Studies  1-6 credits
Individualized advanced study and review in writing, mathematics, vocabulary, critical reading, and critical thinking (as appropriate) intended to prepare students for graduate and professional programs.  Topics may include test preparation and writing personal statements and other application essays.  Offered fall and spring semester

There are a limited number of Honors scholarships available for incoming students to this program.  These scholarships are based upon financial need as determined by the financial aid application and range from $1000 to $3000.  In addition, there are many other opportunities for financial aid such as federal grants, loans, and additional academic scholarships.  The Honors Program also serves as a conduit to several fellowship programs for upper-level and graduate study.