Curriculum & Courses
Most likely, yes. You may submit a Course Directive Request with an attached syllabus and the Associate Dean will review the course for applicability to Honors here at JMU.
No, Honors classes are not structured to be harder or more work than other classes at JMU. Rather, they are different and better: small, discussion-based, interactive, and unique. On balance, students perform just as well, if not better, in Honors classes than non-Honors classes.
No! On average you will take about one Honors course per semester. To maintain good standing within the Honors College, you will need to take at least two courses that apply to your Honors minor each year.
No, Areas of Emphasis are a unique opportunity to gain a concentration in a particular interdisciplinary area but are not required.
If you are taking an Honors seminar that reflects the goals and intention of the diversity or research and experiential learning requirement, you may petition the Honors College to direct the course to this requirement.
In most cases, changing your major will have minimal effect on your Honors curriculum and coursework. However, some majors (such as Nursing, Biology, and the BBA degree majors in business) have special course pathways in Honors. Contact the Honors Advising team if you would like to discuss a potential major change.
Yes! Many Honors Scholars have two majors and in most cases this will not affect your progress in Honors. Contact the Honors Advising team if you have questions.
Yes! Any JMU study abroad program of at least 3 credits will satisfy this requirement. The study abroad program does not have to be in Honors.
Honors Capstone Project
No, you will only complete one Honors capstone project in the major of your choosing.
Yes! This is encouraged. If you choose to work on both, the 3 credits your receive for the Senior Portfolio Project (HON 401 and 402) can satisfy either Honors elective credits or the Experiential Learning requirement.
Students who complete an Honors thesis will receive "with distinction" in the major or minor program the project is completed in. Senior Portfolio Projects do not confer "with distinction."