The Iona College Honors program is designed to meet the educational needs of the ablest and most highly motivated students at Iona. Grounded in a challenging curriculum, the program offers gifted students the resources and opportunities to develop their talents and to perform at the peak of their capabilities.

The course of study is designed to develop intellectual curiosity, analytic abilities, and awareness of ethical and civic responsibilities. The program encourages the development of a small community of independent learners able to inspire each other academically and fosters a sense of self-respect in students, encouraging them to stretch their abilities in pursuit of lifelong learning, independent thinking, and personal fulfillment.

The Curriculum

The Honors curriculum promotes an appreciation and understanding of the interrelatedness of knowledge and culture by providing a wide range of interdisciplinary courses and opportunities to study abroad. Students in the program take specially designed Honors course offerings and advanced courses and engage in independent research under the guidance of faculty mentors. Small class sizes of approximately 15 encourage student participation and promote a close student-faculty relationship.

Students are offered close individual guidance, both academically and in terms of career preparation. There is a faculty committee that works with students interested in applying for competitive grants and fellowships and advises them regarding graduate and professional studies. A career mentoring program affords students a unique chance to explore career opportunities by matching them with an appropriate alumnus/alumna or corporate liaison. Students may major in any discipline in the School of Arts and Science or the Hagan School of Business.

Privileges

Participants in the Honors Program enjoy other significant privileges. Students receive six free tuition credits per academic year that may be taken in the winter or summer sessions or as a sixth course during the fall and spring semesters. These free courses can facilitate double majors, accelerate graduation, or broaden the educational experience with no financial burden. Honors students have priority registration. thereby assuring their ability to receive class preferences. Two student representatives serve, along with faculty and administrators, on the Honors Council, the policy making body of the Honors Program.

Honors students live on an all-honors floor in one of the most desirable residence halls on campus. Residential and commuter honors students enjoy special programming as part of the honors floor, including an honors program Resident Assistant.

The program, which has been in existence for over twenty years, admits approximately 40 Freshmen each year. There are approximately 100 students currently enrolled in the program.

Scholarships

The Honors Program does not directly award scholarships.

Because of their high academic profile, candidates for the Honors Program qualify for Iona College scholarship assistance, which often extends to either Presidential Scholarships (full tuition) or Deans Scholarships ($17,500). Honors students receive six free credits per academic year.