Honors Program
The Gallaudet University Honors Program provides advanced teaching and mentoring to a diverse group of motivated and capable students. Our program integrates in-depth academic preparation, individualized academic offerings, and professionalism. Each student in Honors is a part of a larger community of scholars seeking continual improvement. In that spirit, our program cultivates personal and systemic transformation, contributing to a diverse national and global society. University Honors graduates possess the advanced skills, knowledge, and integrity conducive to life-long learning, creativity, and civic-minded service.
Gallaudet Honors students receive a small Honors merit scholarship, priority registration, and other benefits such as community activities and mentoring opportunities.
Admission to the Honors Program
Students will be identified based on criteria such as their incoming GPA and test scores, as well as other indicators of academic aptitude. These students will be approached by the advising and admissions team to discuss the Honors Program. The first round of offers must be accepted by mid-March, in order for a second round of offers to be accepted by mid-May. For more information, contact honors@gallaudet.edu.
Honors Requirements
To graduate with Honors, students must complete a total of 18 credits of Honors coursework with a grade of B or better, and they must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.4. Students who have met the requirements will have "University Honors" noted on their transcripts, and a gold seal signifying their accomplishment on their diplomas.
Coursework: General Education (2 courses; 6 credits)
Honors students take VEE 102H instead of VEE 102, and ENG 175H instead of ENG 102. These courses are more advanced and tailored to Honors students, and help develop community among students in the program. ENG175H cannot be waived through placement exams or ENG 102 transfer credits.
Coursework: Honors Courses (4 courses; 12 credits)
After their first year of coursework, Honors students take an additional 12 credits of HON courses. These courses will vary in topic every semester, rotating between seminar style-discussions, guided research projects, internship opportunities, and independent research. Students are able to decide for themselves when to complete these courses during their undergraduate career, meaning that there are opportunities for students to learn together, across class levels. Currently, the Honors Program is undergoing a transformation: Honors students will take 4 sections of HON 495 during their undergraduate career. HON 495 is a "topics" course, meaning that the topic and approach vary each time it is offered. Students also have the option of coursework substitutions, to be determined in consultation with the Honors Coordinator.
Grade Requirement (cumulative 3.2 GPA for good standing; 3.4 to graduate with honors)
The Gallaudet Honors Program is a learning community for academically capable and motivated students. The overall goal is to foster skills, work habits, and attitudes conducive to future achievement and lifelong learning. The program focuses on rigorous, interdisciplinary curricular offerings, as well as co-curricular activities such as service learning. Students are considered in good standing in the Honors Program if they have a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or above. New students who do not have a cumulative GPA are in good standing by default. Students whose cumulative GPA has fallen below 3.2 are put on probation for one semester, during which they remain on active status. Students who earn a semester GPA of 3.2 or above will return to good standing from probation. Students who do not return to good standing are at risk of being dismissed from the Honors Program. Finally, a grade of B or better is required in all of the HON-prefix courses. Courses with a grade of B- or lower must be retaken. For graduation, a minimum overall cumulative GPA of 3.4 is required.
Sample Four-Year Plan:
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First Year
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Fall Semester
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ENG 175H
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Spring Semester
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VEE 102H
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Second Year
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Fall Semester
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One HON 495 offering
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Spring Semester
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One HON 495 offering
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Third Year
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Fall Semester
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One HON 495 offering
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Spring Semester
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One HON 495 offering
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Fourth Year
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Fall Semester
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One HON 495 offering
(if needed)
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Spring Semester
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One HON 495 offering
(if needed)
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Honors Program Requirements
Required Coursework (18 credits)
HON 495 is a "topics" course, meaning that the topic and approach vary each time it is offered. Students also have the option of coursework substitutions, to be determined in consultation with the Honors Coordinator.
Program Outcomes
Honors Outcome 1: Language and Communication - Honors students excel in applying conventions of academic and professional discourse, including describing and evaluating the perspectives of diverse groups.
Honors Outcome 2: Critical Thinking - Honors students learn to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate multiple perspectives, including facts and ideas from various sources.
Honors Outcome 3: Knowledge and Inquiry - Honors students discuss topics across the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences, regardless of their own developing areas of expertise.
Honors Outcome 4: Attitudes and Values - Honors students develop strong cognitive skills, and demonstrate professional behavior suitable for graduate study or professional employment, including improving society through civic-minded service.