Mar 19, 2024  
2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Honors Program


The Honors Program of Shaw University nurtures excellence in select students who are highly motivated, talented and gifted, and who demonstrate a commitment to the learning process in reaching their potential to become scholars, leaders and role models. It is an innovative, multifaceted program designed to enhance the success of student scholars at Shaw University. The Honors Program’s initiatives and activities concentrate on the growth and development of students’ intellectual, ethical and leadership skills.

The Honors Program is a Living Learning Community. All students enrolled in the Honors Program are expected to learn and demonstrate leadership on campus through active involvement and participation in campus organizations and initiatives as well as community involvement. Collectively, they compose the Honors Scholars Association (HSA), which elects its own officers and functions as a student entity of the university. The HSA assists in planning the Honors Program’s annual calendar, social and community service activities for students, and is responsible for planning and implementing special activities.

In addition to the normal academic requirements of matriculation, students must take a one-credit honors colloquium each semester. These special topic courses focus on myriad topics, such as research inquiry and advance writing skills, critical thinking, graduate school readiness, and professional etiquette.

Honors colloquia are designated as follows:

  •   (freshman colloquium, fall semester)
  •   (freshman colloquium, spring semester)
  •   (sophomore colloquium, fall semester)
  •   (sophomore colloquium, spring semester)
  •   (special topics - Honda Campus All-Star Challenge)
  •   (junior colloquium, fall semester)
  •   (junior colloquium, spring semester)

Senior students must complete a capstone project which demonstrates critical thinking and original research. This research is presented during an oral defense with the Honors Program Advisory Council to complete the program. Workshops, career fairs, lecture series, and engagement activities that enhance learning and teamwork are regularly offered. Students are encouraged to participate in academic competitions such as the Honda Campus All-Star Challenge (the HBCU National Quiz Championship) and the North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities’ ethics debate team.  Preparing student for Graduate or Professional school is a major priority.