Professor Cribbs, Director; Professor Hill, Associate Director.
The Honors Program at Randolph-Macon College was created to enhance the academic and community experience of our most intellectually curious students. To that end, the Honors Program asks students to “embrace excellence” through the following program pillars: innovation, collaboration, and experience. Members of the Honors Program at Randolph-Macon achieve their intellectual goals through specialized course work and collaborative, active learning experiences that prepare students for their personal and professional lives. The program emphasizes intellectual engagement and a curriculum of innovative courses and self-directed educational experiences, enhanced by close collaborative work with faculty and peers and a connection to community.
Program Admissions, Standards, and Academic Requirements for Current Students Entering the Honors Program
Admission to the program is application based; invitations are extended to incoming first-year students with a minimum 3.75 high school GPA and transfer students with a minimum of 3.5 GPA in college-level work. After reviewing the program's expectations, interested students complete a web-based essay application to be reviewed by the Honors Director(s) and Collegiate Honors Council. Applications are automatically sent to qualified students by the Admissions Office after students are accepted to the College. Transfer students who have completed Honors coursework at other institutions may earn Honors transfer credit for that coursework.
For current Randolph-Macon students, there is an annual open application process in January. The application is sent to all eligible students during the first week of the January term, and admissions decisions are completed by the end of the January term. Admission is based on the student’s academic qualification for the program and essay and a Randolph-Macon faculty member’s recommendation.
Honors Warning and Program Removal
To remain in the program, students must meet the minimum GPA requirement based on earned credit hours and should make progress on the curricular aspects of the program. Students whose GPA falls below the minimum standard may be placed on Honors Warning, or removed from the Program, as outlined below.
Honors Warning
Students are placed on Honors Warning when their cumulative GPA falls below the minimum threshold based on earned credit hours. Students may remain on Honors Warning for one academic year but may not graduate with honors while on Honors Warning. Students are permitted to fully participate in the honors program offerings and activities during the Honors Warning period.
Honors Removal
Students may be removed from the Honors Program if their cumulative GPA remains below the minimum threshold based on earned credit hours after the period of warning. Upon removal, students may no longer fully participate in the program, courses, and activities, and are ineligible to graduate with honors. Eligible students may apply for re-admission during the January open admission process.
| Student Classification | Minimum Cumulative GPA |
|---|---|
| Freshman (fewer than 28 credit hours) | 3.00 |
| Sophomore through Senior (28 credit hours or more) | 3.25 |
The Director(s) will also contact students who meet the required GPA, but who are not progressing in the program. Progression recommendations are outlined below:
| Student Classification | Progression Recommendations |
|---|---|
| Freshman (fewer than 28 earned credit hours) | At least 1 100-level HONR course. |
| Sophomore (28-58 earned credit hours) | 2 of 3 100-level HONR courses. |
| Junior (59-89 earned credit hours) | 3 of 3 100-level HONR courses. HONR 201 or Honors Enrichment Unit. |
| Senior (90 or more earned credit hours) | Completed all 100-level HONR courses. Completed HONR 201. Completed Honors Enrichment Unit. |
A participant in the Honors Program must complete the following requirements in order to receive the honors designation upon graduation:
- Complete three 100-level Honors courses with a grade of B- or higher.
- Complete HONR 201 with a grade of B- or higher.
- Complete one Honors Enrichment Unit. This unit could take the form of:
a. An independent study course;
b. An honors contract in a regular course;
c. An independent senior project course;
d. An internship (not for major/minor credit)
e. The Schapiro Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) program;
f. Study abroad (semester or year); or
g. Another innovative experience, as approved by the honors directors.
4. Submit an E-Portfolio containing student reflections on curricular/co-curricular engagement and vocational aspirations.