RESOURCE MENU
Academics
Honors College
"What has Athens to do with Jerusalem?"
Tertullian, an early church father and apologist, posed this question in AD 198, probing the relationship between the Christian faith and other fields of knowledge. His query remains ever relevant as Christians in the 21st century continue to explore their faith in relation to philosophy, science, history, literature, political science, economics, and the arts.
Residing at the heart of Anderson University’s faith and learning endeavor, the Honors College invites students of exceptional ability to explore perennial human questions in light of the Christian intellectual tradition. From the church fathers and Greek philosophers, the Renaissance and Reformation, to modernity and postmodernity, the College leads students to join life’s most important conversations surrounding God, the world, truth, beauty, and goodness. Small seminar-style classes stress the integration of faith and learning, exploration of the Christian faith, multidisciplinary connections, critical thinking, and persuasion.
Signature Elements
Unique Curriculum
Built exclusively for Honors College students, Honors courses satisfy a range of Core Curriculum requirements and focus on the Christian intellectual tradition. Foundations courses take students on a journey from antiquity to the present day from a variety of disciplinary perspectives, taught by some of AU’s best faculty members. Additionally, elective courses stress interdisciplinary connections and broaden a student’s academic horizons.
Unique Classroom
Honors courses are inquiry based, student led, and seminar style. Faculty serve as mentors, building critical thinking through a pedagogy of discovery. Classes sizes are generally no larger than sixteen students and emphasize collaborative learning in a challenging and rewarding environment.
Unique Community
Students journey through the program in cohorts and enjoy full access to the Honors Commons. Additionally, they participate in a variety of intellectually invigorating, fellowship-building events including faculty forums, guest lectures, community service, travel opportunities, research, and more.
What is the Honors Program?
“What has Athens to do with Jerusalem?” asked Tertullian, an early church father and apologist. His question is alive today as it was when he penned it in AD 198. What does faith have to do with learning? What does scholarship have to do with the Christian gospel? These enduring questions provide the framework for the Honors Program at Anderson University. From the church fathers and Greeks, to the Renaissance and Reformation, on to modernity and postmodernity, the program leads students to join the most important conversations surrounding truth, Christian belief, and life’s biggest questions.
Bringing together high-achieving students, outstanding professors, and a tailored curriculum, the Honors Program creates an immersive, engaging learning environment that offers a unique college experience and allows students to contribute constructively to the most important issues in a society.
What is the Honors Curriculum?
Honors courses are created exclusively for Honors students. Instead of merely attaching more work to normal courses, Honors courses are designed as discussion-based seminars, emphasizing critical thought and inquiry-based learning. Led by highly capable, seasoned professors, Honors courses consider an array of topics from a Christian worldview.
What is the Honors Community?
Community is essential to learning, as friendship serves to shape ideas and refine character. Before the first day of class and beyond graduation, Honors students connect with each other and build community through peer mentoring, exclusive Honors housing opportunities, out-of-class activities with Honors professors, extracurricular activities, and leadership development.
What are the Benefits of the Honors Program?
The Honors Program affords students many benefits, ranging from the curricular to campus life to future opportunities.
Curricular Benefits
- Focusing on the intellectual aspects of the Christian faith
- Collaborating with high-achieving, like-minded fellow Honors students, asking perennial questions related to the past and applied to the present
- Reading some of the great literature from history
Campus Life
- Exclusive Honors housing
- Priority registration for classes
- Academic advising from the Honors Program Director and a faculty member within your major.
- Special recognition at commencement indicating the prestige of graduating with Honors.
Future Opportunities
- A distinct academic transcript that may assist with graduate school admission or job applications.
- Intellectual and spiritual preparedness to engage a world of competing ideas.
- Equipping to contribute constructively to society and solve problems.
- Readiness to serve humanity through leadership in community.
Is the Honors Program for You?
We’re looking for academically gifted students who are interested in the intersection of faith and reason, Christianity and culture, spirituality and the liberal arts. You might flourish in the Honors Program if you seek academic challenge along with Christian devotion, if you are naturally inquisitive, if you are comfortable wrestling with life’s most difficult questions, and you desire to sharpen your skills in critical thinking.
How Do I Apply to the Honors Program?
Applicants should first apply to Anderson University before applying to the Honors Program. An interview is recommended but not required.Applicants meeting the following criteria are invited to apply online.
- SAT score of 1250 or higher (math + critical reading) or ACT composite score of 27 or higher or CLT (Classical Learning Test) score of 82
- High School GPA of 3.5 or higher
- Completion of the Honors application form
- Completion of the Honors application essay
Application Deadline: March 1
Note: Students are eligible to apply once the GPA and SAT/ACT requirements have been filled. Please login to your admission portal and select “Honors Program Application”. If you have any questions please contact our admission office at (864) 328-1835. Notification of acceptance will be sent by April 1st.