Widener

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How do I apply for the Honors Program? 
The Honors Program will contact all applicants who meet the requirements for admission.

Do I have to join the program in my freshman year, or can I join as a sophomore?
You can join the Honors Program in General Education at any time during your freshman year if you meet the requirements.  However, if you receive an invitation to join as an incoming freshman, there is an advantage to starting your honors experience at the beginning of your time here at Widener.  You will be placed in at least two courses in your first semester, and will thus be well on your way to completing the five-course minimum required for all program students.

Are there honors scholarships?
Students who participate in the Honors Program in General Education receive up to $2,000 in an Honors Scholarship.

Are honors courses more difficult than other courses?
Honors courses do not necessarily involve more work than regular courses.  They are intended to promote greater depth of inquiry and more intense discussion. Faculty often encourage student involvement in setting the direction of courses.  Most students in the program enjoy the discussion-based classes and seminars, all of which promote an environment conducive to learning.

Is there special housing for honors students?
Incoming honors students can request the special housing reserved for the program.  The dorms used for this purpose are newly renovated and air-conditioned.  They are still, however, in the general proximity of other freshmen, and thus still integrated into the campus community.

Is there a lounge or social room for honors students?
There is lounge with a kitchen in Loveland Hall for students to relax, study, chat, or eat.

Who keeps track of my honors courses?
Students should be attentive to their own academic records.  In addition to keeping track of their major requirements, honors students should know the number of courses they have taken in the program.  The Honors Program Director will, however, meet at any time to advise students in the program, keeping them informed and up to date. 

How do I keep track of the number of out-of-class events I’ve attended?
When students attend an event, they must obtain some form of proof they have participated.  This can include a sign-in sheet, a program, or some other form of documentation.  After the event, students must turn in these records to the Honors Program office. 

Student should keep track of the number of out-of-class events they attend.  The Honors Program staff, however, maintains records of events submitted.  Students can thus contact the program at any time to check their status.

How many honors courses do I have to take?
All students must complete at least five courses in the program, one of which must be a Colloquium (or advanced-level seminar).

When do I take my honors courses?
You can take honors courses at any time during your college career. 

What kinds of classes can I take in the honors program?
Honors courses change every semester and cover a wide range of topics.  The courses are designed to meet the needs of the General Education curriculum in the Humanities, Social Science, and Science areas.

Are there pre-requisites for honors classes?
There are no pre-requisites for any honors class.

How do I register for honors classes?
Widener University uses Campus Cruiser as the Web-based, information portal.  Cruiser provides many functions, including communication, record keeping, and online registration.  Each new student will receive a Campus Cruiser email account and address, which will allow access to personal and group calendars, email, class schedules, and campus event information.  Students can retrieve personal academic information and can register for classes by using their Cruiser account. 

Do I have an honors advisor?
The Honors Program Director does all the advising within the program. 

Does the Honors Program director also serve as my major advisor?
Each student in the program has an academic advisor assigned in his or her major area.  This faculty member helps the student keep track of requirements within his or her major.  The Honors Director assists students with program issues, and works closely with academic advisors across the university to ensure each student’s needs are met. 

Where is the honors program?
The Honors Program in General Education is located on the first floor of Loveland Hall, on the Main Campus, across from University Center.  

Can I visit an honors class?
You can arrange a visit to an honors class by contacting the program.

Will there be students in my major in the honors program?
The Honors Program has members from almost all undergraduate departments on campus.  The majors represented can, however, fluctuate from one year to the next, as participating students join and graduate from the program.  

Are there any general meetings honors students must attend?
Typically, there are two meetings per year, at the beginning of each semester, when all students are required to attend.  The agenda for these meetings includes discussion of upcoming events, the Executive (student) Board elections, and other program matters.

How can I get involved in the Executive (student) Board?
Elections are held at the first meeting in September, at which time two freshmen-class representatives are added to the Executive (student) Board.  Elections to replace the entire board take place every spring semester, at the January meeting.

Is there a governing body?
There is a student Executive Board and a faculty Advisory Committee. 

Is there a fee for activities and events?
Most on-campus events are free to the university and the greater Delaware Valley community.  The program offers heavily discounted theater, orchestra, and opera tickets, and free Philadelphia Speakers Series tickets for program participants.  For some activities there may be modest charges, including reduced, group rates for some venues (like Longwood Gardens, or Eastern State Penitentiary). 

Will I be assigned an honors mentor?
Each incoming student will be assigned to an Honors Mentor.  Whenever possible, the mentor will come from the student’s own major.

What are the long-term benefits of joining the honors program?
Completing the HPGE creates substantial advantages for students.  Receiving honors recognition at the time of graduation can be very helpful in fulfilling career and postgraduate academic goals.  Employers and graduate schools both view participation in honors programs very favorably in distinguishing among applicants.

Can a transfer student join the honors program?
Transfer students can join the honors program as long as they still have general education courses left to complete in their curriculum.

What do I receive for completing the honors program?
Students who complete the program and all the requirements receive either a Certificate of Honors in General Education or a Certificate of Advanced Honors in General Education.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Honors Program in General Education
Widener University
One University Place
Chester, PA 19013-5792
tel: 610-499-4349
fax: 610-499-4578
honors.program@widener.edu 

Dr. Ilene D. Lieberman
Director
idlieberman@widener.edu

Jeanne Platt
Administrative Secretary
jmplatt@widener.edu