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Honors Program

The Honors Program at Alma College celebrates our identity as a liberal arts college. Above all, the program aims to create an intellectual community centered on both independent excellence and collaboration. Honors Scholars participate in special seminar opportunities and enroll in courses designed for Honors Scholars. They pursue departmental honors and membership in Phi Beta Kappa, the nation's preeminent honor society. They create independent projects and develop an honors portfolio.

Program Requirements

Freshman Year

  • Participate in a First-Year Honors Seminar (HNR 180) that introduces various disciplinary perspectives within a broader framework of liberal arts education (4 credits)
  • Participate in special events with other Honors Scholars
  • Begin Honors Portfolio and work with faculty advisor to plan coursework and opportunities
  • Enrollment in a curriculum that eventually fulfills requirements for membership in Phi Beta Kappa

Sophomore and Junior Years

The middle years of the Honors program highlight the mastery of disciplinary work but also making connections — inside and outside of classrooms

  • Continue participating in special Honors Scholars events and seminars with visiting scholars and artists
  • Enroll in a curriculum leading to departmental honors
  • Continue building an Honors Portfolio and a Phi Beta Kappa record
  • Enroll in an independent study project with a faculty mentor* (4 credits)
  • Take at least one course that crosses disciplinary boundaries or links different subjects* (4 credits)

*A qualifying overseas semester may be substituted for one of these courses.

Senior Year

  • Participate in a Senior Capstone Course (2 credits) that provides cross-disciplinary links and mentoring for new Honors Scholars
  • Continue participating in special Honors Scholar events and seminars
  • Complete departmental honors, including presentation of work at Honors Day or other qualifying venues
  • Finish Honors Portfolio

Successful Honor Scholars will

  • receive a transcript designation of Alma College Liberal Arts and Sciences Honors Scholar with Departmental Honors.
  • receive Phi Beta Kappa national honors status

 

 

In the more than 100 years since its founding, Alma has stayed true to its roots by keeping its Scottish heritage alive. Today, Alma features a marching band clad in Kilts, a Scottish dance troupe, student pipers and its own tartan. Each year, the College hosts the Alma Highland Festival and Games, which feature traditional Scottish games and revelry.

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Student Profile

Elizabeth Heitsch

Elizabeth Heitsch
Graduation: 2008
Major: History
From: St. Louis, Michigan
Interests: Reading, Music

You do not have to know a foreign language to study internationally, but for the languages offered at Alma there are six sites to hone your language skills. Alma has partnered with universities across the globe to provide students and faculty with the best in study and research opportunities abroad in 12 countries.

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