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Participation & Admissions Criteria

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Choose Your Path

Honors students at Northwood University may participate in the program at three different levels. All students who qualify and complete any honors course are considered to be Honors Program Participants, and their honors courses are identified on their transcripts. Each semester, Honors students decide for themselves how many honors courses are right for them.

Graduates in the Honor Program at Northwood University

Admissions Criteria

Admission to the Honors Program from high school requires one of the following conditions:

3.25 Cumulative GPA (CGPA) with 25 ACT/1210 SAT or 3.50 Cumulative GPA (CGPA) with no test score.

Transfer students may register for Honors classes if they have a 3.25 GPA from the transferring institution.

Honors students pictured walking at Convocation

Special Events

Enrollment in even a single honors course allows students to participate in all honors activities such as the Student Honors Association meetings, end-of-year honors dinner, and special speaking and cultural events.

Study Abroad

Students who complete 15 or more credit hours in honors courses at Northwood University may apply for honors admission to either a semester in Asia or semester in Europe. Honors admission automatically provides a scholarship that adjusts the study abroad program fee to the fee level students would otherwise pay for the combination of residential tuition, fees, housing and food on the Northwood campus they attend.

Scholarship amounts will be adjusted in proportion to the individual program fees. The honors scholarship may only be used once. Students cannot receive multiple honors scholarships for study abroad.

Student Honors Association

The Student Honors Association (SHA) is a group of honors students who band together for social activities outside of the classroom. The group also provides student input to the Faculty Honors Council. The SHA is a registered student organization led by an executive board and has participated in such activities as:

  • Information table at new student orientation and party
  • Social events for honors students to “meet and mingle”
  • Beginning-of-year picnic for honors students
  • Year-end reception for honors students
  • Participation/leadership roles in the undergraduate research symposium
  • Informal dinners with faculty members
  • Leadership opportunities and intellectual growth
  • Networking
Honors student and faculty advisor embracing on stage

Frequently Asked Questions

Honors courses generally reflect emphasis on higher level thinking skills applied to the subject material. Students are expected to contribute more to analytical discussions in class, and writing assignments are generally more demanding in composition and research methodology.

Smaller class sizes. Priority registration for Honors Diploma candidates. Notation on academic transcript tells employers and graduate schools about your achievement. Participate in the Student Honors Association (SHA). Honors scholarship for certain study abroad programs. Class emphasis on discussion-based learning, individual research, and developing critical thinking skills. Special events just for honors students. Enhanced contact with outstanding faculty.

Any student enrolled in an honors class is an Honors Participant. Students may take as many or as few honors classes as they choose, as long as they meet the minimum requirements for enrollment. Individual honors courses will be designated on the student’s academic transcript.

If you meet the qualifications to participate in the Honors Program, simply register for the honors classes you would like to take. You should consult with an Academic Advisor when planning future semesters, since the honors sections of classes may require adjustments in your Curriculum Guide.

Forge Your Path Forward