Dr. Joe King, Director
Floyd Hall, (540) 831-6125
Honors at Radford University is defined by intellectual curiosity and active engagement in the educational process. In turn, these qualities are expected to result in the pursuit of excellence in one’s scholarly and creative activities.
The Mission of the Honors Academy (HA) is threefold:
- To give recognition for academic excellence.
- Provide opportunities for more academic rigor.
- Foster a community of distinction.
Honors students complete a series of courses in the Core Curriculum and a major. Those students who complete the required 27 credit hours – including an honors capstone project – and meet the GPA requirement are awarded the distinction of “Highlander Scholar” on their diplomas. The academic goals of the Honors Academy are supported by residential and social components. All new freshmen reside in Floyd Hall, which provides a learning community for a select group of exceptional students. In addition, honors students from all classes participate in events sponsored by the Honors Academy Student Organization.
Students who wish to learn more about the Honors Academy are invited to visit the Academy office in Floyd Hall or call Honors Academy Director Dr. Joe King, Professor of Psychology, at (540) 831-6125.
Admission Criteria and Active Status
Membership in the Honors Academy is space-limited. High school seniors are invited to apply to the Honors Academy if they meet two of the following three qualifications: 1100 (V+Q) SAT (or 24 ACT), 3.5 high school GPA, and top 20% of high school graduating class.
New freshmen who are not invited into the Honors Academy when they enroll at the university may apply to the Academy if they earn a 3.5 GPA or greater during their first semester at Radford University. Transfer students with outstanding qualifications are also eligible to apply for admission and are encouraged to discuss their interest with the honors director.
Honors students maintain their ‘active’ status in the program by making satisfactory progress toward completing the Academy’s graduation requirements. Satisfactory progress includes a minimum cumulative GPA (3.3 for freshmen and sophomores, 3.4 for juniors, and 3.5 for seniors) and meeting at least one honors requirement each semester. Only those students who are considered active are eligible for priority registration and other benefits of the Honors Academy.
Requirements For Graduation
To graduate from Radford University as a Highlander Scholar, students must have a minimum 3.5 overall GPA in Radford coursework and complete at least 27 hours of credits in accordance with the requirements listed below:
- 6 credit hours in University Core A, which must include HNRS 103.
- 9 credit hours in honors courses from University Core B.
- 9 credit hours of work in a combination of study abroad, independent study or undergraduate research in the major, honors contracts in the major.
- 3 credit hours in an honors capstone project (DEPT 488) in the major, which must be presented at a scholarly conference or other public venue.
- A student may transfer a maximum of 12 hours of Core Curriculum honors courses into the Academy.
For further information regarding requirements, deadlines, forms, contracts for honors work in the major and the capstone project, visit the Honors Academy Office located in Floyd Hall.
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