The Honors Program at Magdalen College
General Description and Principles
Magdalen College is pleased to announce its new Honors Program, an extension of the College's Program of Studies.
The Honors Program, in conjunction with the Program of Studies, integrates Socratic seminars based upon the Great Books with courses in catechesis, music, and the visual arts, and with study abroad in Rome & Norcia.
Each semester, as part of the Honors Colloquium, honors students will explore selected texts, themes, authors, or media that complement the Program of Studies.
Honors students who have already achieved the required level of proficiency in Latin may pursue a course in independent, advanced language study under the guidance of a faculty member.
As the culmination of their undergraduate studies, honors students will research and write an honors Quaestio.
The Honors Program offers academically advanced and intellectually ambitious students the opportunity to participate in special courses in Geometry and Reasoning, Latin, and English composition.
Recognizing that our intellectual gifts are given for the strengthening of the Church, honors students at Magdalen will serve their fellow students and the larger Magdalen community through academic coaching and tutoring.
The academic performance and conduct of honors students should be marked by excellence, humility, and service.
Details of the Program
Eligibility Requirements
In order to participate in the Honors Program, current students must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.2 or higher and must submit a letter of application to the Academic Dean. Incoming freshmen must also submit a letter of application to the Curriculum Convocation and have a SAT score of 1,700 or higher (or a 24 on the ACT). Incoming freshmen with lower test scores may apply for the Honors Program. Their continued participation will depend upon their grade point average at the end of their first semester at the College.
Students who enrolled at the college before 2009 and have a cumulative grade point average between 3.0 and 3.2 may apply to the Honors Program for conditional acceptance. If accepted, their cumulative grade point average must rise each semester in order to remain in the Honors Program.
Honors Colloquium
Each semester a tutor will lead a weekly colloquium devoted to a theme or text that has been approved by the faculty.
Advanced Language Studies
Students who arrive at Magdalen College and can already meet some or all of the language requirements may apply to the Academic Dean for advanced language studies. These studies will take place under the supervision of a tutor. Students who have completed the language requirements for their degree and who wish to pursue further language study may apply to the Academic Dean for further, independent study under the supervision of a tutor.
Honors Quaestio
Honors students will write a Quaestio that is longer and more substantial than the regular Quaestio. The specific requirements for the honors Quaestio will be determined by the faculty.
Honors-Track Courses
The following courses will contain two tracks, one honors track and one regular track:
- Freshman Geometry and Reasoning
- Freshman Latin
- Freshman English Composition
- Sophomore Latin
- Sophomore English Composition
Academic Coaching
Honors students may be paired with one student from the Freshmen or Sophomore classes in order to assist these students in their transition into the intellectual life of the college. Honors students will meet with those with whom they have been paired at least once per week.
Degree with Honors
Beginning with the academic year 2009-2010, in order to graduate with a B.A. degree with honors, the student must (1) have a cumulative grade point average of 3.25 or higher, (2) complete an honors Quaestio, (3) complete six honors colloquia, and (4) earn sixteen credit hours of honors-track courses. Current students who wish to graduate with honors may enter the program-based on the criteria given above-if they have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher, write an honors Quaestio, and complete colloquia according the following scale: students graduating in 2010 must complete two honors colloquia, students graduating in 2011 must complete four honors colloquia, and students graduating in 2012 must complete five honors colloquia.
Academic Scholarships
The College is currently working to raise funds to endow a fund for academic scholarships that will be available to students in the Honors Program.
Speaker Series
Each semester the College will invite speakers who will, through their presence and presentations, enrich the life and culture of the College. Some speakers will share the fruits of their own intellectual labors, while others will offer insights into the spiritual life. Speakers will contribute in some way to Magdalen College's mission to educate the whole person.
Independent Summer Reading Program (Optional)
Honors students may meet with a tutor at the end of the spring semester to design a reading program for the upcoming summer. This program could be organized around a particular theme, question, or author. Such a program may serve as preparation for the Quaestio.