HONORS PROGRAM

Internships (numbered 400). The Integrative Experience [ITG]. Three credits. Taken in the junior or senior year, after completion of the Connective Experience. If necessary, it may also be taken in the spring semester concurrently with the Connective Experience. The Integrative Experience prepares students to move into their next stage of their journey, after LVC. Students reflect on their LVC experiences and recognize the many skills they have gained and demonstrated, while also considering how to talk about those skills in interviews, cover letters, or personal statements for graduate school. Integrative classes include substantial components from our Breen Center for Graduate Success, designed to make sure that LVC students can always demonstrate their unique value.

Students also tackle a complex issue from several disciplinary angles, considering how an interdisciplinary approach helps solve difficult problems. This project gives LVC students experience with solving complex problems, thinking critically in their writing, and integrating knowledge from different areas: all skills in demand in today’s workforce. Approved ITG courses: ACT 485; ECE 405; ENG 499; ITG 468*, 478*, 484, 487, 488*, 489, 499; JSTC 499; NEU 489. *All three of ITG 468, 478, and 488 must be completed to satisfy the three-credit Integrative Experience requirement. ITG courses: ITG 468. Integrative Experience in the Natural Sciences I. 1 credit. ITG 478. Integrative Experience in the Natural Sciences II. 1 credit. ITG 484. Music and Culture in the Radio Age. 3 credits. ITG 487. Critical/Making: Independent Integrative Research. 3 credits. ITG 488. Integrative Experience in the Natural Sciences III. 1 credit. ITG 489. Mind and Brain. 3 credits. ITG 499. Integrative Experience. 3 credits. Portfolio. At several points in the curriculum, LVC students add to an evolving online portfolio that enables them to build a professional online presence to showcase their wide range of skills and accomplishments.

LVC’s Honors Program is a living-learning experience for a select group of curious, passionate, action-oriented students. It combines specialized academic and outof-class opportunities, including designated Honors courses in the Constellation LVC curriculum that focus on hands-on, immersive learning, and interdisciplinary exploration.

ADMISSION CRITERIA

The minimum academic standards for admission to the program are a high school GPA of 3.500 and rank in the upper 20% of the high school class. While these factors are important, the admission process is holistic, and other factors, including evi-

dence of leadership, interdisciplinary interests, and community service, are strongly considered in admissions decisions.

CURRICULUM

Students in the Honors Program must complete the following requirements: 1. FYE, COE, and IME Constellation LVC courses designated for honors. 2. Two Formative Experience courses designated for honors under CTW, IC, and QR. Students may also petition the director to allow a major class to serve as one of these two if an Honors contract is developed; such petitions are dependent on demonstration of scheduling challenges. 3. Honors thesis options (1–3 credits): a. Honors specific ITG section (3 credits). b. Students enroll in IDS 280 Honors Independent Learning Lab (1 credit) to link the honors thesis to another experience. 1. Honors thesis may take many forms: academic research, business plan, creative work, or recital/dance projects, but must relate Honors project to UN Sustainability goals. 2. Immersive: Students may link their Honors Thesis to an Immersive using the Honors Lab. 3. Course: Students link Honors Lab to an upper level class; if it is a class within their major, the Honors Lab will require them to add interdisciplinary elements Honors contracts: signed at creation and completion by the student and 3-credit course instructor, approved by Honors director (contracts occur in 3-credit classes; a student may use no more than two contracts/honors labs toward Honors units): 4. A description and timetable for the additional work being undertaken, presented as an individualized syllabus. 5. An explanation for how that additional work represents a more challenging and/or more in-depth approach to the course material. 6. An explanation for how the resulting project could be shared with the larger campus community (Inquiry for COE projects). 7. An explanation for how this work will be evaluated by the instructor upon completion. 8. Students co-enroll in IDS 280 Honors Independent Learning Lab to complete work. PROGRAM STANDARDS

To remain in the Honors Program, students must maintain a minimum GPA as noted below and demonstrate continued engagement in the program by completing appropriate requirements. The GPA threshold for sophomores is 3.100, for juniors is 3.200, and for graduation is 3.300. There is no GPA threshold for first-year students. If a student withdraws from, fails, or audits an Honors course, it does not count toward Honors requirements.