Honors Program

This program offers accomplished students unique classes that encourage the exploration of ideas beyond traditional academic boundaries and strengthen skills that make students successful learners. Students participating in the Honors Program can choose from general education classes and seminars.

Honors General Education Classes

Honors general education classes allow students to assume high levels of responsibility for their learning. The classes are structured to encourage students to speak out on issues and be more involved in the learning process. Honors general education classes are offered during the fall, winter, and spring terms.

Honors Seminars

Honors seminars are unique interdisciplinary seminars taught by faculty from a variety of disciplines. They’re offered during the fall, winter, and spring terms and are open to all students with at least sophomore standing and a minimum 3.0 GPA.

Honors Program students celebrate with the President and professors at a dinner event.
honor student dinner
Honors Program Director Richard Barrett and faculty member Joy Ochs join Honors students on their fall trip.
Honors Program director, Barrett, former honors director, Joy Ochs, and honor students (Andrew Lorig, Katie Garner, and Emily Buckingham) during the Fall 2022 trip.
Honors students visited Iowa’s Lacey-Keosauqua State Park for their fall trip.
Honor students (Andrew Lorig, Katie Garner, and Emily Buckingham) at Lacey-Keosaqua State Park during the Fall 2022 Honors trip.

Recognition

Students will be recognized as graduating with distinction in the Honors Program and awarded Honors cords to be worn at graduation if they meet the following criteria:

  • Complete a minimum of 12 semester hours in classes designated Honors. At least six semester hours (two courses) must be designated as Honors seminars. The other semester hours can be either Honors general education courses or Honors seminars.
  • Have a minimum GPA of 3.4.
  • Have a minimum GPA of 3.0 in all Honors courses.

For incoming students to be eligible for the Honors Program, they must have a minimum high school GPA of 3.6.

First-year students who do not meet the stated criteria but believe they could do well in the Honors Program may petition the program director for a probationary admittance to the Honors Program.

High school students can receive an annual $1,000 scholarship by successfully participating in Honors.

For any program-specific questions, please contact the program director at amyers@jmswierski.com.

Apply by March 1

Transfer students who are members of Phi Theta Kappa will automatically receive the Phi Theta Kappa Award ($1,000/academic year).

Transfer students who wish to enroll in the Honors Program apply here.

Transfer students who have successfully completed Honors courses at other colleges and universities may petition for the courses to apply towards Honors requirements at Mount Mercy. For any program-specific questions, please contact the program director at amyers@jmswierski.com.

Current Mount Mercy students interested in challenging themselves further can apply for admissions to the Honors Program on an individual basis. 

Main benefits are: 

  • Additional opportunities to socialize with especially curious and high-caliber students.
  • Access to engaging, stimulating classes with in-depth discussions.
  • Graduating with Honors distinction.

If you would like to apply, contact the program director at amyers@jmswierski.com. List your current cumulative GPA, your GPA over the last year, and explain why you would like to be a part of the program. 

Note: Current Mount Mercy students do not qualify for the Honors Scholarship. Scholarships are awarded by Admissions only to first-year and transfer students prior to becoming MMU students.