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Undergraduate Honors Program

NSU's Undergraduate Honors Program, housed within the Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences, provides a value-added experience for highly motivated and high achieving undergraduate students through curricular and co-curricular program and activities.

Program Mission Statement

The Undergraduate Honors Program at Nova Southeastern University provides a rigorous academic environment through value-added curricular and co-curricular experiences for high-achieving undergraduate students. The program encourages academic integrity and leadership, professional development, engagement with faculty and peers, exploration of disciplinary and multidisciplinary inquiry, and establishment of community among members of the Honors students and faculty.

Program Vision Statement

The Undergraduate Honors Program at Nova Southeastern University will attract outstanding students to the university by providing a selective and challenging interactive and innovative academic experience. Students will enhance critical thinking skills, personal and academic integrity, and professional development while participating in a rigorous academic environment emphasizing academic excellence through multidisciplinary exploration, research and scholarship, leadership, and engagement, which will advance students to productive lives in a dynamic and global setting.

Program Requirements

The Honors Program requires a cumulative NSU GPA of 3.5 or higher to maintain full standing. Academic progress is reviewed twice yearly, and students not meeting the criteria may be invited to petition to retain honors status.

Students admitted to the Undergraduate Honors Program prior to the fall 2012 semester have distinct program retention and completion requirements. These Honors students should refer to the NSU Undergraduate Student Catalog in effect the academic year they entered the Honors Program.

Program Options

General Honors Program
Students in the General Honors Program are required to complete 21 credits of Honors coursework, Honors seminars and Honors-level general education classes prior to graduation. Honors coursework must be completed at NSU. Students are strongly encouraged to complete Honors coursework in the first two years of enrollment. Students are invited to this program on the basis of prior academic performance. Approximately 10% of each year's entering student class—distributed across all majors—are invited to participate. In order to receive an Honors citation, students must hold a cumulative NSU GPA of 3.5 or higher at the time of degree conferral. (Participation in this program is not a prerequisite for the Divisional Honors Program).

Divisional Honors Program
Students in the Divisional Honors Program complete an undergraduate research project under the direction of a faculty adviser. The program is open to juniors and seniors who must also meet general honors program criteria and present an approved thesis proposal. Participants are required to complete 9 credits of Honors coursework, including up to 3 credits of HONR 4990 Independent Study. In order to receive the Citation in Divisional Honors, students must successfully complete and defend an approved Honors thesis and hold a cumulative NSU GPA of 3.5 or higher at the time of degree conferral.

Students who successfully complete requirements of the General Honors Program and the Divisional Honors Program will be recognized for this accomplishment.

Program Benefits

Nova Southeastern University is known for our small classes, which allow for a more personal, interactive environment. With our Undergraduate Honors Program, classes are even more selective and allow for additional benefits to the students. The direct interaction with full-time faculty allows students to gain a more comprehensive, interactive approach to their learning process. Students are free to explore ideas, ask creative questions, and become more innovative in their thinking processes.