The Honors Program

Through its Honors Program, the University intends to address the needs of the portion of its undergraduate population, that regularly excels and represents the top echelon of students. Recent UB grads have gone on to some of the best colleges and universities in the world for graduate study and have also gone on to assume important roles in Fortune 500 companies and international organizations such as the United Nations.

The Honors Program, which is housed in the International College, originated in 2004. The program serves a learning venue that includes both multi- and inter-disciplinary approaches to key topics and prepares students with skills to succeed as future key players in society. The Honors Program facilitates the academic enquiry of its students and it harnesses the skills of the Honors Program faculty.

Team teaching, seminar moderation, and course material evaluation are conducive to the multi-faceted competencies and expertise of Honors Program faculty, which consists of faculty with extensive research backgrounds. The intended final product of the Honors Program is a graduate whose abilities and aptitude extends far beyond the limits of conventional disciplines. Such a graduate, we feel, is of greater functional value in the working world. Such a graduate will tend to be more highly motivated, more independent in thought, and possess higher expectations of himself/herself, having discovered his/her hidden intellectual promise.

Design: Honors Program Courses

Courses and classes are conducted in either or both of two ways: lectures and seminars. Lectures may be given by a team of faculty who contribute to a course. Seminars may be moderated by a faculty member with presentations given by students in the course. Both lectures and seminars require extensive research backgrounds, of Honors Program faculty.

Honors Program course will tend to be multi- and inter-disciplinary in nature, and will often feature innovative themes. Previous course have included "Readings on the Intellectual Cutting Edge," "Perspectives on Happiness," and "Psychological Blockbusters." Course will typically involve some lectures (often presented by a team of interacting professors), extensive discussions and debates, and student projects and presentations. Expectations and standards for students regarding intellectual curiosity, emotional maturity, and academic motivation and discipline, as well as pre-class preparation and in-class involvement, will be higher than normal. However, courses will be designed to challenge and inspire students, rather than simply burden them with extra work. The concept of "honor" will often be explored as it relates to issues of character and leadership, personal and collective creativity, and a service orientation.

Honors Program Faculty

• Jeffrey Johnson
• Kurt Frey
• Stephen Healey
• Timothy Eves
• Mark Setton
• Dave Benjamin
• Beth Skott

Eligibility

The Honors Program at the University of Bridgeport is designed for students of exceptional academic achievement. Admittance to the program is by invitation. Criteria that are considered in admittance include:

1. High academic achievement in secondary school as well as exceptional recommendations from the student’s teachers and counselors.
2. Entering Students-Combined SAT scores of 1800 or higher as well as exceptional recommendations from the student’s teachers and counselors.
3. Transfer Students--Participation in an Honors Program in their previous school and a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher.
4. Current Students at the University of Bridgeport—A minimum of two semesters with a cumulative average of 3.5 or higher and a recommendation from the Honors Faculty.

For further information on eligibility, contact intlcoll@bridgeport.edu

Benefits of the Program

1. Students completing the Honors Program have Hons. following BA/BS on his/her diploma. This does not preclude a student from earning Summa or Magna Cum Laude.
2. Honor Program Graduates will also receive a University of Bridgeport Honors Scholar Certificate (approved by the University and by the Connecticut State Department of Higher Education) upon completion of the program.
3. While at the University of Bridgeport, Honors Program Students may have a Honors Faculty advisor/mentor to assist them in their selection of courses and in the preparation of a long-term graduate school and career trajectory.
4. Honors Program students will have the opportunity to participate in special Honors Program field trips, symposia and conferences sponsored by the Program.
5. Students may be eligible for additional scholarship opportunities while at the University.

Requirements

1. Completion of at least three of the courses specifically created by members of the Honors Program Faculty. Consult the Catalogue or the International College for more information on these courses.
2. Completion of two other University courses that are designated by the Honors Program Faculty as Honors courses.
3. An Honors Thesis (optional but strongly recommended).
4. Students must maintain a cumulative G.P.A. of 3.0 or higher and no Honors Program Course or designated Honors Course below a B- will be counted toward the Honors Program. Any student who receives below a B- in two Honors courses will not be permitted to continue with the Program.