HONORS PROGRAM
Director: Dr. Pamela A. Rooks
In order to help meet the special needs of students with superior
academic ability, the University has established an Honors Program.
The program is open to eligible students with superior academic
records. (Other students may apply for admission to a specific Honors
Course.) Initial eligibility for the Honors Program is determined
by SAT or ACT scores. A minimum score of 1100 on the SAT or 24 on
the ACT qualifies an entering student for the Honors Program. Second
semester freshmen must earn an overall grade point average of 3.0
in order to become or remain eligible for the Honors Program. Sophomores,
juniors and seniors must earn an overall grade point average of
3.25 in order to become or remain eligible for the Honors Program.
The program is implemented through an interdisciplinary "gateway"
course designed to introduce Honors students to the Honors program,
Honors Sections of regular courses, an interdisciplinary Honors
Colloquium, and an Honors Independent Study. Each carries regular
academic credit and is designated as an Honors Course on the student's
University records.
Students who wish to receive a Bachelor of Arts, a Bachelor of
Business Administration, a Bachelor of General Studies, or a Bachelor
of Science degree "With University Honors" must fulfill
the following requirements:
1. All regular University and departmental or school requirements.
2. An overall grade point average of 3.25 or above, including transfer
courses. All work that is taken at Francis Marion University and
all work that is taken at other institutions and considered transferable
will be included in computing a student's grade point average for
Honors.
3. Completion of a minimum of 21 hours in Honors Courses with a
grade point average of 3.25 or above in all Honors Courses taken.
Of the 21 hours, 9 must be above 299, including 3 hours of the Honors
Colloquium (397) and 3 hours of the Honors Independent Study (491-499).
Grades below 3.0 in the Honors Colloquium and the Honors Independent
Study do not count toward credit for the Honors degree, although
they do count toward regular degree requirements. If necessary,
the Honors Committee may accept substitutes for specific three-hour
requirements through the "Honors Contract" option.
4. Honors credit may be allowed to a student transferring from
another institution for courses that are accepted by Francis Marion
University for full credit or elective credit. To receive the degree
"With University Honors," a transfer student must meet
all requirements for the degree (see above), taking a minimum of
12 hours of Honors Courses at Francis Marion University, including
the Honors Colloquium, the Honors Independent Study, and one other
upper-level Honors Course. Honors credits transferred from other
institutions will be included in computing the student's GPA in
Honors Courses.
For further information, students should contact the Director of
the Honors Program.
HONORS COURSES (HNRS)
101 Core Concepts Continuum (3) (Prerequisite: Invitation
into/eligibility for Honors Program.) An honors "gateway"
course designed to introduce freshman Honors students to the Honors
Program and to interdisciplinary learning. An examination of special
topics from an interdisciplinary point of view. Carries elective,
but not General Education credit.
397 Honors Colloquium (3) Deals with special topics, selected
each time the course is offered, from an interdisciplinary point
of view. Seeks to provide Honors students with the opportunity to
examine subjects which do not fall completely within the province
of any one department or school. Carries elective, but not departmental
or school credit. May be taken for credit no more than twice. Grades
below 3.0 do not count toward credit for the Honors degree, although
they do count toward regular University degree requirements.
491-499 Honors Independent Study (3) Allows the Honors student
to pursue independent academic work, normally in the area of major
concentration, under the guidance of a faculty member. Usually takes
the form of a senior research project or senior thesis. Open to
students who have completed 12 hours of Honors Courses. Topics must
be approved by both the appropriate chairman of department or dean
of school and the Honors Committee. Projects are reviewed by three
faculty members from two different disciplines. Grades below 3.0
do not count toward credit for the Honors degree, although they
do count toward regular University degree requirements. May be taken
a second time in a second discipline.
WASHINGTON SEMESTER PROGRAM
A special arrangement with the University of South Carolina's Institute
of Public Affairs and the South Carolina Honors College makes Francis
Marion University Honors students eligible to apply for a fellowship
in the Washington Semester Program. Students accepted as fellows
have the opportunity to live in the heart of Washington, D.C. and
gain valuable work experience in federal government or private sector
offices while earning 15 hours of Honors academic credit.
Honors students at any South Carolina institution of higher education
are eligible to apply for the Washington Semester Program. Fellows
must be degree-seeking students and are usually juniors. The program
operates in both the spring and fall semesters.
Francis Marion Honors students accepted into the Washington Semester
Program will pay FMU tuition, be registered as FMU students, and
earn academic credit for the following courses:
- POL 497-H (Special Studies: Washington Semester) (6)
- ENG 498-H (English Internship: Washington Semester) (3)
- PSY 310-H (The Psychological Focus: Leadership; Washington
Semester) (3)
- THEA 101-H (Introduction to Theatre: Washington Semester) (3)
For further information about the Washington Semester Program and
the application process, contact the FMU Honors Director.
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