Honors Program FAQ

Is the Honors Program only open to specific majors?

No! We have students in the program from virtually every major on campus. Part of the vision of the program is to provide a rich learning experience in which our science and arts students can learn together and from one another.

I have AP and dual enrollment credits; how will those transfer into my honors and/or degree requirements?

First of all, well done! Amassing credits before college shows proactiveness and dedication on your part! Depending on your scores, most credits will at minimum count towards your required 120 credit hours for graduation. We do not, however, replace any honors courses with outside credits. Our rationale for this requirement is that the Honors Program curriculum stands as a cohesive whole. The freshman-year Honors English composition and literature classes are rigorous and are also the primary way in which new honors students get integrated into the honors community and are therefore a critical part of your honors experience. Most students find that their writing and analytical skills improve noticeably in this first year as a result of these courses.

Do Honors students participate in other campus activities?

Yes, most honors students are very involved in many areas on campus. They participate in choir and athletics and often serve as resident assistants, are a part of the Student Government Association, hold work study positions, and lead clubs or Bible studies. Honors students represent some of our best leaders on campus!

Should I expect that Montreat honors courses are similar to my Honors and AP courses currently in High School?

While Honors and AP courses do prepare students for the honors program, you may find some differences between your high school courses and honors program courses. Classes are primarily discussion-based. You should also expect to spend much more time outside of class reading and writing than the time you spent in class. Most students find honors work more challenging than high school, but not overwhelming. Our goal is to help you improve and develop further the role of your beliefs and values with your intellectual work and life!

Do honors students take more credit hours than the general student population? Do they do a Senior Thesis or Capstone?

The Honors Program curriculum (22 hours) does not require any additional credit hours as it replaces General Education courses. Courses include English, History and interdisciplinary seminars and freshman and senior courses. No senior thesis or capstone is required for honors program students.

How does the Montreat College Honors Program help me with my future career choices?

Yes! Not only is vocation (or “calling”) a common topic in many of the honors courses, but the honors experience helps expand students’ knowledge in subjects that they may never have been interested in before. Being a part of an Honors Program is appealing to future employers as well. Perhaps the best way though that the Honors Program helps with career choices, is through the connections made with Honors Faculty. Many students are mentored by the Honors faculty that have similar interests and experiences.