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     » Honors ProgramThe Honors Program at Simmons fosters a motivated group of students who explore the complexity of today’s world and their place in it. This challenging academic program is designed to enhance the undergraduate experience of students in all departmental disciplines. Its goal is to encourage depth in the department of choice as well as to enhance this knowledge through interdisciplinary studies and global awareness. The Honors Program includes an enriched curriculum that is offered in small seminars, team-taught courses, study abroad opportunities, research projects, and/or internships. In addition, the Honors Program provides co-curricular activities both at the College and in the Boston area. Faculty take their classes as well as small groups of Honors students to the theater, film festivals, museums, and lectures throughout the year. Students apply to the Honors Program when they apply to the College and are selected by an Honors Review Committee. There is another opportunity to join the Program for a small number of students who apply in their first year for sophomore entry. Honors students are required to maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.2. The senior project must be of B or higher quality. All Honors courses (HON) must be taken for grades.A Challenging CurriculumThe First YearStudents participate in a fall Learning Community that consists of two 3-credit courses and one 2-credit integrative seminar. Students may select one of two Learning Communities. Learning Community I: Democracy And Difference
Learning Community II: Reimagining Public And Private
The Second YearStudents select one of the 200-level Honors courses that explore cultures and contemporary issues outside the United States and Western Europe. These courses are designed to lead you to understand how the peoples of a region or nation think about themselves and debate how to shape their economic, political, and cultural futures. Second year courses fulfill a Mode of Inquiry requirement.
The Third YearStudents choose one seminar on interdisciplinary approaches to current intellectual and social debates. These courses are team-taught by faculty from different disciplines. Some third year courses fulfill a Mode of Inquiry requirement.
The Fourth YearStudents develop an eight-credit independent honors project within their major, most often an honors thesis, internship, or graduate-level coursework in conjunction with a research paper. All seniors in the Honors Program take a two-semester seminar that meets monthly. Each semester's work bears one credit.
Study AbroadFirst and second years: The Honors Program strongly encourages its students, particularly in their first and second years at the College, to join Simmons faculty in a one-month, short-term course abroad. Course offerings are available in October for the following May. Third and fourth years: The Honors Program hopes that advanced students will plan for a summer, semester or full year abroad, uniting their disciplinary work with study and internships abroad. To this end, we strongly encourage all students in every discipline to maintain their study of language past the required 201 level. Honors Career Exploration ProgramIn 2004-2005 the Honors Program initiates its career exploration workshops designed for each class. These are required for members of the class. Honors students from other classes may attend, space permitting. For First-Year StudentsStudents assess their current experiences and skills; they prepare a resume for summer work and/or internships. Solely for SophomoresFall: Students explore their unique personalities, ways of thinking and communication patterns. Spring: Students consider career opportunities that would best make use of their knowledge and skills; they learn to navigate the Career Resource Library. Just for JuniorsFall: Students examine what to look for in a graduate program, how to prepare an application and what to include in a personal statement. Spring: Students conduct informational interviews with professionals in fields of their choice. SeniorsSeniors conclude their career exploration in the HON 390 Senior Seminar where they refine their resume, practice interviewing and build leadership skills. Honors ActivitiesThe Program hosts monthly Honors Teas where faculty and students get together for informal conversations and invited speakers address students on a variety of topics. The Honors Liaison, comprised of students in all four undergraduate classes, organizes activities throughout the year. The Director of the Honors Program works with small groups of students and mentors individuals who are interested in applying for graduate school as well as for national awards such as the Fulbright, Truman, and Boren grants. Distinguished FacultyHonors students work closely with a number of distinguished Simmons faculty, including:
Application InformationThe Honors Program at Simmons is designed for students with strong analytical and writing skills and an eagerness for intellectual challenge. Admission is highly selective. Students who have excellent academic records are encouraged to apply. Applicants must complete the Honors Program section in their application. The priority deadline for all Honors Application materials is March 1st. Applications will not be accepted after April 1st. Application materials are available online (see below), or from the Undergraduate Admission Office. For more information, please contact Melissa Doherty On this pageCurriculum Course ListingView our current Honors Courses (64k PDF )TALK TO USMelissa Doherty Apply NowDownload and print the Honors application pdf file (44k) |
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