Honors Program

The Iona College Honors Degree 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 Sciences or the Hagan School of Business.

Privileges:

Participants in the Honors Program enjoy other significant privileges. Students receive two tuition-free courses 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. A student representative from each year is elected to serve, along with faculty and administrators, on the Honors Council, the policy making body of the Honors Program.

Honors students have the use of an Honors Lounge on campus that is equipped with computers with Internet access. The facility can be used for individual work and group study, or socializing with honors students and faculty.

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.

Admission Process and Requirements:

High School Students are recruited for the Honors Degree Program, and those admitted must have completed the Iona College admissions application. Specific requirements for the program include minimum High School Grade Point average of 95, minimum combined SAT I scores of 1300 or compatible ACT scores, Honors Degree Program Application and Essay, and a Personal Interview. Students may also apply for admission after the first or second semester of Freshman year. The deadline for applying to the Honors Program is February 1; interviews are held in March.