Academics
Honors Academy
Get the Honors Academy Advantage!
Mission
The Honors Academy provides enriched experiences to an engaged community of outstanding undergraduate scholars who want to succeed by going above and beyond university requirements.
Vision
The Honors Academy is Lindenwood University’s signature co-curricular program for gifted undergraduate students that prepares them for excellence and success with its enriched academic and leadership experiences.
Design Your Own Honors Journey!
Honors Academy is a university-wide program for motivated undergraduate students who want more from their college experience. When you join, you aren’t just checking boxes; you are joining a distinguished cohort of students recognized for their academic drive and leadership potential. Students earn Honors requirements by completing courses inside or outside of their majors, according to their interests and passion.
A Community of Academic Excellence
In our program, community isn’t about mandatory meetings; it’s about shared identity. Honors students belong to a group of like-minded peers who are striving for the same high standards.
The Power of Collaboration
Because the Honors Academy is a self-managed journey, you are empowered to build unique academic partnerships with Lindenwood’s expert faculty. While we occasionally offer Honors-designated courses, the heart of our program are Honors-enhanced assignments.
The self-managed journey allows you to:
- Collaborate One-on-One: Partner with instructors in almost any undergraduate course—inside or outside your major, online or in person.
- Personalize Your Honors Journey: With instructor permission, you can transform a standard course into an Honors-enhanced experience by completing projects that align with your interest and passion.
- Build Mentorships: These partnerships can lead to stronger letters of recommendation, research opportunities, and individualized guidance.
Develop Sought-After Power Skills
These innovative assignments can help you enhance Power Skills that the professional world demands including though not limited to:
- Critical Thinking
- Problem Solving
- Effective Communication
- Global Awareness
- Empathy
- Leadership
- Teamwork
Power Skills like these are what graduate programs, medical and law schools, and top-tier employers look for in candidates.
Strategic Degree Completion
Honors requirements are designed to integrate with your existing degree plan. Meeting them incurs no additional tuition costs and does not slow down your progress toward graduation.
The Destination: University Honors
The goal of your Honors Journey is University Honors—the highest academic recognition awarded by Lindenwood University at graduation. To reach this distinction, you will:
- Earn 24 Honors credit hours (including 12 in upper-level courses).
- Maintain a cumulative graduation GPA of 3.5 or higher.
Recipients are celebrated at commencement, where they wear signature purple Honors cords—a visible symbol of your membership in this elite group of graduates.
A Signal to the World
University Honors is more than a title; it is an indication of your initiative, perseverance, and engagement. It tells every employer and graduate school that you went above and beyond expectations. Be sure to list this distinction on your resume and highlight it in every application to show the world what you can achieve.
"Through faculty mentorship and the Honors Academy, I was able to develop a project that won the Civic Engagement category at the Academic Showcase."Piper Colantone
Business Administration
Your Honors Membership Benefits
As a member of the Honors Academy, you gain access to exclusive resources designed to smooth your path to graduation and elevate your professional profile.
Academic and Graduation Advantages
- Priority Course Registration: Stay on track for graduation by securing the classes you need before they fill up.
- University Honors Distinction: Earn the highest academic recognition on your official transcripts and diplomas.
- Prestigious Recognition: Participate in the Honors Cord Ceremony and be recognized at commencement for your dedication.
- Exclusive Learning Environments: Access the LARC Honors Lounge, a dedicated space for quiet study and academic focus.
Building a Global Perspective
The Honors Academy proudly supports Lindenwood’s Center for Campus Community and Connection. We believe that true University Honors involves engaging with the world around you to foster cultural sensitivity and global awareness.
To further enhance your Power Skills and build a standout resume, Honors students are strongly encouraged to:
- Study or Intern Abroad: Gain a global perspective that is highly valued in today’s careers.
- Engage in Service: Complete community service or service-learning projects that make a real-world impact.
- Lead on Campus: Participate in student organizations to practice leadership and effective communication.
Inspiration in Action
Our students aren’t just meeting requirements; they are leading the way. We invite you to read about the incredible paths our Honors scholars have been taking in the Spring 2024 cover story of The Lindenwood Magazine!
Frequently Asked Questions
The Honors Academy is an elite, university-wide program for motivated students who want to take ownership of their academic journey. It offers a flexible framework to customize your education through high-level faculty partnerships, ultimately leading to University Honors—the highest academic distinction awarded by Lindenwood University.
University Honors is the highest academic distinction awarded by Lindenwood University at graduation. It represents more than just a high GPA; it is a testament to your initiative, perseverance, and deep engagement with your education. This recognition is officially announced during your commencement ceremony, where recipients are honored with signature purple Honors graduation cords.
As a member, you gain access to a “Toolkit for Success” designed to elevate your professional profile:
- Priority Course Registration: Secure the classes you need before they fill up.
- Official Recognition: “University Honors” is noted on your official transcripts and diplomas.
- Exclusive Access: Use the LARC Honors Lounge for quiet study.
- Career Signal: Highlighting your Honors projects on resumes signals to employers that you are a self-starter who goes above and beyond.
Membership is by application only. You must first be formally admitted to Lindenwood University. Students with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or above (High School for FTS, College for Transfers/Current students) are eligible to apply.
Not at all! However, because University Honors requires 24 credit hours, current students must have a minimum of four semesters remaining in their degree program to ensure they have enough time to complete the journey meaningfully.
Yes. You can apply up to 12 credit hours of Honors transfer credit toward your requirements. Ensure these are marked on your transcript and contact the Honors Academy for a formal review. Acceptance is at the discretion of the Academy.
There are two ways to earn Honors credit. While first-year students often begin their journey in specialized cohorts, most Honors scholars earn their credits by customizing their favorite courses through faculty partnerships.
1. Honors-Enhanced Assignments (The Professional Standard) This is the primary way Honors Academy members reach the 24-hour goal. You can transform virtually any undergraduate course—inside or outside your major—into an Honors experience.
- The Process: Partner with your instructor to design a project that goes deeper into the course material.
- The Requirement: Submit an Honors Course Agreement by the midterm deadline and earn a final course grade of A.
- The Benefit: This allows you to build a specialized portfolio and gain one-on-one mentorship from experts in your field.
2. Honors-Designated Courses These are specialized courses open exclusively to Honors Academy members.
- Availability: These are primarily offered as “introductory” or General Education courses for first-year students to help them build a community early on.
- The Process: You are automatically enrolled for Honors credit (no agreement form needed).
- The Requirement: You must earn a final grade of A (AH) or B (BH) to receive Honors credit.
Why is there a different grade requirement?
Because Honors-designated courses are built with a more rigorous curriculum from day one, a “B” reflects significant achievement. For “regular” courses that you choose to enhance, the “A” grade ensures you have mastered the standard material while also going above and beyond with your independent Honors assignment(s).
You have total flexibility! You can choose courses inside or outside your major based on your interests. We highly encourage you to find a faculty mentor in your major who can help you choose courses that align with your career goals.
An HLC is a cluster of two or three linked courses centered around a common theme, open only to Honors members. These are often offered as a “launchpad” for first-year students to kickstart their Honors credits in a collaborative environment.
To cross the finish line with University Honors, you must:
- Earn at least 24 Honors credit hours (at least 12 must be at the 30000 or 40000 level).
- Maintain a cumulative graduation GPA of 3.5 or higher.
Stay proactive! Maintain your 3.5 GPA and keep a steady pace.
- 4-Year Students: Aim for 12 Honors credits by the time you hit 60 total degree hours.
- Transfer Students: Plan on earning 6 Honors credits every semester.
(The Honors Audit) This is a self-managed journey, so check your Student Portal:
- Count Honors-designated course credit hours (Grades: A, B, AH, or BH).
- Count Honors enhanced course credit hours (Grade: AH).
- Ensure at least 12 hours are upper-level.
- Verify your University Catalog of Entry to ensure you meet the specific requirements for your start year.