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 three hours of the Honors Colloquium (397) and three 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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