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Honors Program

Dive deeper into your academic passions.
Grounded in the belief that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (Proverbs 9:10, NIV), the Montreat College Honors Program aims to help students see themselves in proper relationship to God. This perspective allows us to live in wonder in awe that we are created in His image.
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Why join the Honors Program?

Honors students at Montreat College are highly involved in campus activities and part of a vibrant community where they engage deeply with ideas and are supported in their academic, spiritual, and personal growth.

  • Collaborate with highly motivated and thoughtful students across all majors.
  • Receive personalized guidance from Honors professors
  • Choose from two tracks (Scholars Track – 22 hours or Fellows Track – 18 hours), which replace general education courses.

*Please note: Course credit brought to Montreat from AP, dual credit, or community college may not be substituted for honors courses. The rationale for this policy is that honors course credit requirements are relatively low and that our curriculum is designed to interlocking for the purposes outlined above. We also believe that our Christian liberal arts college honors courses are rigorous and will continue to develop even the most college-prepared student.

Spiritual and Intellectual Development

  • Cultivate humility in both individuals and our community.
  • Deepen our love for the Creator.
  • Cultivate a properly ordered love for His creation, including humans, creatures, and the world around us.

Academic Excellence and Engagement

  • Emphasize a conversational pedagogy.
  • Build students’ confidence in critical thinking, writing, and oral expression.
  • Dive deeper into complex topics.
  • Foster a community grounded in humility, charity, and empathy.
  • Offer unique opportunities for students to interact with visiting speakers.
  • Create a rich interdisciplinary learning environment where science and arts students engage together.

Fast Facts

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Required credit hours
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Honors Scholars Credits
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Honors Fellow Credits
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Designated honors professors
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Scholarships

As part of our commitment to intellectual inquiry, Montreat College awards specific scholarships to new students in the Honors Program. Honors Scholarships are awarded in addition to other earned merit scholarships. Scholars Day participation is required for Honors Scholarship consideration.
Honors Scholarships
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Community

Living in honors housing is encouraged but not required. Roughly half of honors students live in three historic houses located just up the mountain from the main campus. These houses were established to provide honors students with a strong sense of belonging at Montreat College.
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Honors Housing

Montreat’s Living-Learning community in Montreat’s Honors Program complements your academic pursuits and helps you flourish as a whole person. Students living in these houses enjoy:

  • Monthly home-cooked family-style meals
  • Access to the private honors program library
  • Bi-monthly book studies with Montreat professors
  • Services days in the Montreat mountain cove
  • Community spaces for entertainment, study, cooking, gardening, stillness, and conversation!

Houses:

Study Abroad

At Montreat College, learning extends beyond the classroom, giving students meaningful opportunities to engage with the world, grow in their academic disciplines, and deepen their calling. Where will your journey take you?

Oxford, England

Engage in upper-level literary research focused on C.S. Lewis. Visit key sites such as the Kilns (Lewis’s home) and conduct research at the renowned Bodleian Library, one of the oldest libraries in the world.

Peru

Conduct field research in the Amazon on dart frogs, rainforest conifers, and crocodilian diets. Other students have assisted in veterinary clinics, providing care for pets, including monkeys, owned by local indigenous communities.

Student Testimonial

“Montreat College has been a huge blessing in my life. The Lord has provided so many opportunities for growth, development, and learning. From honors classes to special friendships to late study nights, I have felt God’s hand on my life.” – Abby B. (’26), English Literature and Psychology

Start your success story at Montreat.

Why Montreat?

Whether you’re finishing high school or transferring from another institution, where you go to college is a big decision, and we believe that Montreat College is the perfect place for you to grow, learn, and thrive. Our vibrant campus at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, our dedicated faculty, rigorous academic programs, and our talented student body create a unique and inspiring environment where you can develop a clear sense of identity and affirm your sense of purpose to honor God and serve others.

Student and Alumni
Stories

At Montreat College, our students and alumni have a passion for knowledge and a genuine desire to always keep learning and be agents of transformation, renewal, and reconciliation.
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Meet
Akira and Maddie '15-'16

"This is a unique opportunity to grow as a person. Take everything that Montreat gives and get the most out of it.”
Program of study:
Cybersecurity
Read Akira and Maddie's Story
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Meet
Grayson '22

"I always recommend Montreat because it's one of the most advanced security programs. Montreat has opened so many doors for me, and it’s amazing to be a part of such a tight-knit community."
Program of study:
Cybersecurity
Read Grayson's Story
All Student Stories

Meet Western North Carolina

Thrive Center

The Thrive Center supports you in your academic career by helping you improve your study skills, manage your time, learn strategies to complete class projects. You can meet with peer tutors at the Writing Center or the Math Center.

It also supports you beyond your academic career with resources for finding your calling, researching careers, finding internships, building your resume, applying to graduate school, and finding a job.

Start your success story at Montreat.

Visiting Speakers

2024 Spring Honors Lecture
Dr. Jinah Yoo Knapp, Timothy Lutheran Church (St. Louis, MO)

2023 Fall Honors Lecture
Dr. Meghan Sullivan, Notre Dame Institute for Advanced Study

2023 Spring Honors Lecture
Dr. Nathan King, Whitworth University

2022 Fall Honors Lecture
Dr. J. Daryl Charles, John Jay Institute