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Honors Program

Honors students visit the U.N.
Honors students visit the United Nations in New York City.

The Caldwell University Honors Program is designed to provide high-achieving students with the opportunity to learn at an advanced level, conduct cutting-edge interdisciplinary research, and collaborate with faculty and fellow Honors Program students. The Honors Program typically represents the top 10% of the incoming class.

Through an advanced curriculum and enviable extracurricular opportunities, the Honors Program at Caldwell provides students with academic, personal, and professional advantages that will elevate their overall Caldwell experience.

Honors Program Benefits

In addition to the Honors Program curriculum, there are numerous mentoring, extracurricular, social, and financial opportunities available to Honors students, including:

  • One-on-one mentorship – attention and guidance from a faculty member within the student’s program of interest
  • Cultural experiences – recent examples include a walking tour of Harlem, a visit to the American Museum of Natural History in NYC, a day-long walking tour of historic Boston, and a tour of United Nations headquarters and Grand Central Station in NYC.
  • Honors Student Mentorship Program – incoming Honors students are paired with student mentors already in the program
  • Student leadership opportunities with the student e-board – (elected annually by students)
  • Group lunches, dinners, and other social events
  • Honors Scholarship $1,000 – awarded annually while a member of the program
  • One-time $750 Honors stipend upon completion of the program
  • Priority registration for classes

Honors Program Curriculum

The Honors Program is a nationally recognized, 12-credit interdisciplinary program that requires participating students to complete:

  • Two interdisciplinary Honors seminars (3 credits each) with a minimum grade of B
  • One Honors-designated core class (3 credits) with a minimum grade of B
  • One Research Methods class (1 credit; optional)
  • One section of Honors First-Year Seminar  (1 credit; optional)
  • Plan, complete, and present an independent research or creative project (3 credits)
  • Present their research to both faculty and the wider Caldwell University community (as part of the Caldwell Research and Creative Arts Day)

Each semester, we offer Honors seminars and Honors-designated sections of core curriculum classes. Honors seminars offer multiple perspectives on interdisciplinary topics that complement Caldwell’s liberal arts core curriculum. Working with our faculty members, students then have the opportunity to design and complete their own research-based or creative project. The intent of the Honors Program is to prepare students for future careers and for graduate school by fostering a vibrant community of faculty, scholars, and peers.

Upon successfully completing the 12-credit academic component, students are rewarded with the designation of “Caldwell Honors Program” graduate, which is recognized at the Honors Convocation as well as at graduation, where students wear a yellow Honors Program stole and are awarded a distinctive diploma. This distinction is also recognized on the student’s transcript.

How to Join the Program

There are two ways to join the Honors Program:

  1. Students who have been accepted to Caldwell University that meet the Honors Program criteria are invited to join the Honors Program. To join the program, students need to accept the invitation. More information can be found here: Honors Program for Incoming First Year Students.
  2. Full-time Caldwell students who have a 3.8 grade point average and who have completed at least one semester at Caldwell University may apply to the program. More information can be found on the Honors Program Application page for Current Students.

Honors Classes

There are two types of Honors courses:

Seminars investigate the human experience from multiple perspectives of different disciplines. Courses are cycled for variety and taught by full-time faculty from various departments. They are designed to encourage robust independent thinking, active student participation, and specialized research opportunities. Enrollment is extremely limited. 

Honors-designated core classes provide the opportunity for students to fulfill their core requirements in a more intimate learning environment with other Honors students.

More information about Honors courses can be found on the Honors Program Course Offerings page.

Honors Project

The Honors Project is a three-credit independent study, HP 405, that may be either a research-based or creative endeavor. The topic is proposed by the student with the assistance of a project advisor of the student’s choice. The topic must then be approved by the Honors Program Committee, a committee of interdisciplinary faculty, led by Dr. Harney-Mahajan and Dr. Tsoi. Learn more about the Honors Project.

Program Criteria

To remain in the program, students must maintain full-time status and a 3.5 GPA. They must also participate in at least one event or trip sponsored by the program each academic year.