Frequently Asked Questions about the Honors Program

Why should I join the Integral Honors Program?

If you want to satisfy your intellectual curiosity and quench a burning thirst for exploration of new ideas, the Integral Honors Program is for you! Learning for the love of learning is a hallmark of the program, and its completion brings a graduate the highest degree the College confers. More tangible benefits include the competitive advantage when applying to graduate or professional schools, as well as benefits such as broader Library privileges, being able to take an overload without charge, and an increased printing allowance. 

How does one get into the Integral Honors Program?  

An Honors Program application may be found on the Honors Program website, or contact the Director. Complete the application and send it to the Honors Program Director, Le Moyne College, 1419 Salt Springs Rd., Syracuse, NY 13214. The deadline for freshmen (to be enrolled in HON 101) is Nov. 1, but applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. 

Are the Integral Honors courses a lot harder than regular courses?  

Honors courses are more demanding of your intellectual curiosity, your analytical ability, and to some extent your time than other courses. Thoughtful reflection, openness to new and different viewpoints, and sharing of your ideas are expected. Careful reading of assigned material is probably the most time-demanding; writing and revision of papers are also important components of Honors courses that require time and thought. So.... a lot harder? Well, certainly more demanding, but not impossibly difficult! 

Can a student who is eligible for or is considering Integral Honors also be in a learning community that includes a core course?

Yes! However, the core course that is part of the learning community will count as one of your general electives, not as core credit. The HON courses will satisfy core requirements but are not “the same as” the core courses they replace. (Honors courses replace 21 hours of core requirements, and 6 hours of electives.)

Can a student who wants to study abroad be in the Honors Program?  

Yes, absolutely! Study abroad in the Junior year is possible (and encouraged!). If you plan to be abroad during the spring semester however, you will need to be sure to make arrangements with the Director concerning HON 309, which is a spring semester course during which you write your senior thesis project proposal.

Can a student who wants to minor in Education be in the Honors Program?  

Again, yes, absolutely! You will need to plan your program, and especially the senior year, very carefully and manage your time well, as your thesis may need to be finished earlier and/or your senior thesis defense held earlier because of practice teaching. In 2005-06, an education minor doing her practice teaching in the spring held her defense during the school district’s spring break, which was about two weeks earlier than the other thesis defenses. (She did an excellent job!)

Can a student join the Program after the freshman year?  

Yes, as a sophomore, and this includes transfer students as well. An application must be submitted to the Director, and the student must also make an appointment with the Director to plan out the course of study, which will depend on core credits already earned. However, after the sophomore year, students will have missed out on the majority of Honors courses and so are no longer able to join the Program.

Can a student leave the Program, and what happens to core credit?

Students may withdraw from the Honors Program after discussing their decision with the Director. Credits for Honors courses convert to regular core credit upon submission of a withdrawal form to the Registrar.

What kinds of activities are there for Honors students?

A variety of intellectual and social activities take place during the academic year. The Honors House is the focus of social activities, often associated with Honors courses, such as pizza nights, the dinner for new students, and holiday parties. The Honors Program sponsors a variety of lectures on campus, and a book discussion is planned for spring semester. Students are welcome to suggest and/or organize additional scholarly and social activities!

What would my Honors course sequence look like?

The current sequence of courses typically looks like this:

Freshman year:

Sophomore year:

Junior year:

Senior year:

*HON 402, which includes a summer trip to Guatemala, may be taken in place of HON 401. It is generally offered as a spring course but may be offered in the fall. It may be taken either Junior or Senior year, and may only be taken once.