The Honors Program seeks motivated students who want to become creatively involved in their own education. It provides opportunities for students to shape their own learning experiences throughout their undergraduate years, offering students the freedom to pursue their intellectual curiosities within a community of significant learning, fostering an awareness of moral and social responsibility. We host small, discussion-based classes across the curriculum specially designed for Honors students, as well as opportunities to expand non-Honors courses into Honors experiences.  This option allows students to explore topics of interest in almost any course at greater depth than traditionally explored. Within the core curriculum, Honors courses explore liberal arts and sciences topics through in-depth treatment of challenging content and innovative teaching.

Honors students are encouraged to pursue their intellectual curiosity, engage in active learning, develop their critical thinking skills, excel in oral and written expression, and deepen their love of learning. Upon graduating from the Honors Program, students will be equipped to assume leadership roles in a rapidly changing global society.

How to Apply

Interested in the Honors Program?  APPLY HERE

Ready to apply for our Honors Program but you haven't applied to Rockhurst yet? Start your application to Rockhurst HERE!

Program Benefits

• Early registration for courses
• Opportunities to work one-on-one with professors on topics of special interest
• Access to the Honors Lounge for studying, printing, and relaxing with fellow Honors students
• Honors designation on your diploma and transcript
• Special recognition at the Honors Convocation
• Camaraderie with other Honors students
• Support navigating the program from student leaders and through the Honors Canvas page
• Smaller class sizes for Honors courses, which encourage active learning and discussion
• Special co-curricular activities, like book discussions, trips to the opera and symphony, tours of art galleries, local cultural fieldtrips, and short-term study abroad opportunities
• Interaction with Honors students at other colleges and universities, especially through the network of American Jesuit Colleges & Universities
• Opportunities to attend or present at conferences such as the National Collegiate Honors Council Conference, National Jesuit Honors Conference, and the Great Plains Honors Conference       

Requirements

Eligibility: The Honors Program is open to students new to Rockhurst (both incoming first-time freshmen and transfers) as well as those who have already started their educational career at RU. Individuals may apply at any point in their time at Rockhurst, though beginning the program as a freshman or sophomore may make completing it easier due to having more time to fulfill the necessary requirements.

Admission Criteria: Applicants must complete a brief application and submit a short personal essay based on our specific prompt in the application. While we exercise judgment and flexibility in selecting motivated individuals to admit to the Program, Honors students typically meet one or more of the following criteria:                                                 

• ACT Composite of 28 or higher
• SAT Composite of 1230 or higher
• Upper 10% of high school class
• High School GPA of 3.5 or higher
• College GPA of 3.3 or higher

Active Membership: To retain active status, students must attend the first-year Honors orientation; participate in academic, cultural, and social gatherings for Honors students; earn Honors credit each semester; and maintain a GPA of 3.3 or above. The Honors Program is compatible with any major. 

Graduation: To graduate from the Program, students must have active status, complete a minimum of 24 hours of Honors credit, and earn a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or above.

Frequently Offered Honors Courses

• Honors General Biology I
• Honors General Chemistry
• Honors Composition
• Honors Reality & Human Existence
• Honors Ethical Theory                                                           
• Honors Western Civilization I
• Honors Introduction to Psychology
• Honors Macroeconomics
• Honors American, Federal, and State Government
• Honors Communication
• Honors Christianity I: Foundations
• Honors Christianity II: Development

Acceptance Into The Honors Program

Students are invited to apply to the Honors Program at any point during the year. Applications may be submitted on a rolling basis with no cut-off deadline. The review of applications will take place at three points during the year to allow for continuing students to be eligible for early registration and for administrative efficiency.

Fall Review: first week of October

Spring Review: first week of March

Summer Review: second week of June

Contact Us

For more information, contact Honors Program Director Maureen Walsh, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Theology & Religious Studies, by email or at 816-501-4171. Her office is located in Arrupe Hall, room 202.