Mar 28, 2024  
Mansfield University 2012-2013 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
Mansfield University 2012-2013 Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Honors Program


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The Honors Program at Mansfield University is a 22-credit multi disciplinary academic program with an emphasis on experiential learning, discussion-based courses, critical thinking, and featuring innovative course work, small class sizes, challenging subjects and opportunities for cultural enrichment. This program is designed for students with a consistent record of academic achievement and a desire for new and exciting learning experiences which allows students to apply their knowledge across academic disciplines. It is the goal of the Honors Program to provide students with the skills and opportunities to achieve their full potential during their academic career at Mansfield University. Honors students are expected to make continual progress each semester in completing their Honors Program to remain in Good standing. Mansfield University is a member of the National Collegiate Honors Council (NCHC) and the Northeast Regional Honors Council (NRHC).

The Honors Program offers a dynamic learning environment that includes unique courses, collaborative and individual research projects and experiential educational experiences. Honors Program students are required to complete four specially designed core courses, two Honors electives, a Senior Honors Research Project and a Honors Research Project Seminar. The electives, representing a cross-section of the liberal arts and sciences, change each semester.

Students may join the Honors Program any of three ways. First, students who demonstrate superior high school achievement as reflected on SAT scores, GPA and class rank are invited to accept admission into the Honors Program during Freshman Orientation by the Department of Admissions.  Secondly, freshman who exhibit strong academic potential during their first semester are invited to join on the basis of Mansfield University faculty recommendation. Finally, students who have completed their freshmen year and have demonstrated strong academic achievement can forward a formal written request to the Honors Program Director to be considered for admission.

Honors students must maintain a 3.0 in their Honors courses QPA and overall QPA as well as make continual progress in fulfilling Honors requirements. There are two required events for ALL Honors students during EACH academic year. These are the Informational Meetings the first week of both fall and spring semesters.  Missing any of these required events, without a reason acceptable to the Honors Program Director, will cause a student to be dismissed from the Honors Program. Furthermore, first-year Honors students are required to participate in the Mansfield Outstanding Honors Buddy System (MOHBS) in which 5-8 first-year Honors students (a MOHB) meet regularly with a returning Honors student (the MOHB Boss). Each MOHB meets a minimum of 8 times each semester, and first-year students may not miss more than 2 meetings or be dismissed from the Honors Program. MOHBs work on group projects, create service projects, acclimate students to Mansfield University, and provide a support structure for first-year Honors students.

A student whose grades fall below 3.0 in either their Honors QPA or overall QPA is placed on Honors Probation. The student is given one semester to improve their QPA, should the QPA (overall or Honors) not be raised to a minimum of 3.0 by the following semester, the student may be given a second opportunity if there are extenuating circumstances. Any student not meeting the minimum QPA (either Honors or overall) at that time is dismissed from the Program. A student who falls below 3.00 in their Honors QPA and does not take an Honors course to raise that QPA would still be below the required standard and still be dismissed. Dismissal from the Honors Program has no impact upon student enrollment at the University. Honors Probation prohibits students from receiving Priority Scheduling or qualifying for any Honors Program awards.

After you are admitted you will be assigned to an Honors Advisor who will assist you with your progress in the Program. The Honors Advisor helps with the student’s General Education program so that it is both relevant to the student’s interests and meets graduation requirements. If you should decide to leave the Program you would not lose any of your earned Honors credits. Those credits would still appear on your transcript and count as fulfilling your General Education requirements.

There are a large number of benefits associated with membership. The Honors Program is compatible with Mansfield University departmental majors. Almost all Honors courses count in fulfilling the General Education Block Requirements. The Honors Program Director and Honors Advisors assist students in working with scheduling situations. Honors Program students register for classes at the beginning of each registration period. Upon the successful completion of your fourth Honors course, you will be awarded your Honors Sweater. Upon the successful completion of your sixth Honors course, you will be awarded your Honors Pin. Upon completion of the Program, you will be awarded your Honors Medallion.

Furthermore, Honors students are eligible for tuition-reimbursement awards and study grants including annual MU Foundation Awards, QPA Book Awards, and two full scholarships to attend the five-week Summer Honors Program of the State System of Higher Education which earns each participant six University Honors credits. Past programs have included Russia, Austria, Scotland, South Africa, Ecuador, England, Costa Rica, France and a European Tour. Graduating Honors students are formally recognized at Commencement when Honors Medallions are presented. The Honors Study room is available for Honors Program students only and is located in North Hall Library. Upon graduation from the University, each Honors Program student completing their MU Degree Program with a minimum 3.00 total QPA will have featured on his/her transcript: “this student has successfully completed the University Honors Program with Honors”. Each student with a minimum 3.50 total QPA in their Honors courses and a minimum 3.25 total QPA will have noted: “This student has completed the University Honors Program with Distinction.” Honors students participate in university field trips, attend cultural events, network with other Honors students as well as attend other get-togethers planned by members of Honors Council.

The Honors Program is administered by the Honors Program Director and Honors Council. The Director is appointed by the Provost (Vice-president for Academic Affairs). The Honors Council consists of multiple faculty members from various academic disciplines who act as Honors Program Advisors to Honors Program students. The Honors Program Director is assisted by the Honors Program Secretary.

For any additional information regarding the Honors Program, contact the Honors Program Director: Dr. Leroy Wright at (570) 662-4787 or lwright@mansfield.edu. 

Standard Honors Program Course Requirements:


(All Honors courses satisfy General Education requirements)

Total Semester Hours for Honors Program: 22


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