The Curriculum

To successfully complete the Honors Program, students are required to earn 30 credit hours in Honors courses (or their equivalent). Students also are expected to maintain an over-all index of at least 3.3.

It is recommended that students take a minimum of 9 credit hours in Honors courses each year. (Click to view a list of our current Honors courses!) Honors credit may be obtained in the following ways:

  1. A Core Curriculum Honors-designated course.
  2. An elective that has been designated "Honors."
  3. One of St. John's Honors-approved graduate courses in the student's chosen field of study. No more than 6 credit hours of graduate courses may be taken for Honors credit.*
  4. A faculty-approved course with an "Honors contract." An Honors student enrolls in a regular course, but makes prior agreement with the instructor as well as the Honors Director to do an extra assignment that demonstrates honors-level motivation and work.*
  5. Three of the 30 credits may involve a "capstone experience," which can be a seminar, an interdisciplinary course or independent study in a student's chosen concentration.*
  6. Some Honors credit may be available through AP programs.*

In addition, Honors credits may be otained if a student has played a significant role in initiating, planning or organizing an Honors event during his or her tenure at St. John's.

* These options are subject to prior approval.