Honors Program
Mission Statement
The Honors Program at Bethel University endeavors to challenge academically gifted students to develop their capacities for analysis, composition, research, and critical thinking in order to increase their preparation for the duties incumbent upon education and achievement. The course of study embraced by the Honors Program both deepens the appreciation of all things human and promotes an interdisciplinary understanding of the contemporary world. As such, the Honors Program is a perfect complement to the Bethel University mission of helping students reach their full potential.
About the Honors Program:
Bethel University’s Honors Program offers motivated students the opportunity to get the most out of their liberal arts education by helping them to further their skills in critical thinking, independent research, and writing. Students in the Honors Program will supplement their traditional Bethel courses with specially designed discussion focused courses crafted to challenge engaged students in a small classroom setting. The Honors Colloquia (the four course sequence that begins the Honors Program) are a combination of Literature, History, and Fine Arts which expose students to classic texts, a variety of modes of artistic expression, and the most recent scholarly trends in these fields. After completion of these courses students are free to seek out professors in their majors to design their own research agendas for individual study and an honors project that represents their capstone work in the program.
Benefits of Enrollment in the Honors Program:
*Students in the Honors Program take a four course sequence over their first two years which stands in for English 101, English 111, English 201, English 202, and the two course history Liberal Arts Core requirements. Therefore, Honors students spend less time taking core classes and are fast tracked into their major more quickly.
*The Honors Program offers students the opportunity to work closely with professors in their fields to produce academic work that appeals to them and helps them in future endeavors. Most Honors projects are directly related to student’s career goals. Past Bethel Honors students have produced a variety of fascinating projects including an original play, an economic analysis of the 2008 financial collapse, and the construction of a historical exhibit shown at a local historical site.
*Honors students who want to go on to graduate or professional schools do so with an impressive portfolio. Many honors students see the program as a foundation for further education in fields such as law, religion, psychology, or business. Working in the Honors Program gives students experience in graduate style research and helps students build relationships with the faculty members who will be their advocates in the graduate school admission process.
*Each student accepted to the Honors program is offered a $10,000 scholarship per academic year.
*Students who complete the Honors Program with a Grade Point Average of 3.0 in Honors courses and a Cumulative Grade Point Average of 3.0 graduate from the Bethel University Honors Program, a distinction noted on their transcript and diploma.
The Honors Curriculum
*In Freshman and Sophomore years students complete Honors 101, Honors 102, Honors 201, and Honors 202. Honors students entering with previous college credit may have one or more of these courses waived.
*In the Junior and Senior years Honors students will enroll in 2 sections of Honors Research Seminar (HON 490). These 1 credit courses can be in any field, but are usually related to the student’s major. Honors Research Seminar credits can be done as 1 credit independent studies, but are typically added to existing courses as an Honors option with assignments tailored to the student’s academic goals.
*In the Junior and Senior years Honors students must also complete the 1 credit Project Preparation Seminar (HON 395) where they will decide on a senior honors project and compose a proposal under the guidance of their chosen faculty mentor.
*In the Senior Year Honors students complete their Senior Honors Project by enrolling in HON 495. In this course students work independently with a faculty member to complete the project outlined in their Preparation Seminar.
The Successful Honors Student
- Will thrive in small-group discussion settings.
- Will enjoy independent work and research
- Will probably view their baccalaureate degree as the first step toward graduate or professional education.
Plan of Study
We have designed the curriculum of the Honors Program to do three things:
- Fast-track students through their English and History Common Core requirements with the four-semester Honors Program Colloquia.
- Build intellectual ability and confidence through seminar-like settings.
- Facilitate one-on-one research opportunities between students and faculty.
Scholarships
In order to attract the best students and to help ensure that they have access to higher education and the necessary time to devote to their studies, Bethel University is proud to announce that all students accepted to the program will be offered the Honors Program Scholarship worth $10,000 per academic year.
International Student Scholarship
Up to two non-US citizens per year will be awarded the Honors Program International Student Scholarship. This scholarship covers the full cost of tuition, room and board, and all student fees. To be eligible students must meet all requirements necessary to obtain an F-1 Visa. Additionally, international students will need a secondary education diploma from their home country, a US high school diploma, or an equivalence exam such as the G.E.D. in order to be accepted into the university. You will also need to submit TOEFL scores to the Office of Admission.
Applications will be accepted until all slots are filled. The first review of applications will begin on March 1. Students will be notified of one of three possibilities: 1. Admitted, 2. Wait-listed, 3. Denied. Once admitted, students will have two weeks to accept or reject the offer of admission. After April 15, any student who has been wait-listed or applied after the first round of offers, may be offered a place in the fall class. Applicants must also submit the Bethel University application to the Office of Admission.
Click here to apply now.
Click here for a complete catalog description of the Honors curriculum.
Click here to complete an online information request form and we will send you more information about the program.