Mahurin Honors College
Lindey Davidson, Ph.D., Director
Honors College & International Center (HCIC)
Phone: (270) 745-2081; Fax: (270) 745-3568
Email: Honors@wku.edu
Website: http://www.wku.edu/honors
The Mahurin Honors College (MHC) offers a dynamic honors experience for academically motivated and high-potential students. Our mission is to cultivate excellence through research, experiential learning, critical thinking, and global engagement. Participation in the MHC enhances students’ academic preparation across all majors and minors, and often serves as a distinguishing factor when applying to graduate or professional schools and competitive careers. In nearly all cases, students can fulfill both their MHC requirements and any WKU baccalaureate degree without increasing their total credit hours for graduation. The MHC supports WKU’s broader mission to prepare students to become productive, engaged, and responsible citizen-leaders. We are dedicated to fostering a respectful and intellectually vibrant community that values curiosity, interdisciplinary exploration, and a wide range of perspectives and experiences.
Non-Thesis Track (27 Hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| HON 251 | Citizen and Self | 3 |
| Honors Lower-Division (Colonnade Courses) | 9-12 | |
| Honors Upper-Division Electives | 3-6 | |
| Honors Upper-Division in Major | 9 | |
Capstone Experience/Thesis Track (27 Hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| HON 251 | Citizen and Self | 3 |
| Honors Lower-Division (Colonnade Courses) | 9-12 | |
| Honors Upper-Division Electives | 6-9 | |
| HON 403 | Honors Thesis / Project I | 3 |
| HON 404 | Honors Thesis / Project II | 3 |
Honors in the Major Track (16 Hours)
The Honors in the Major Track is an option for students joining the Mahurin Honors College in their sophomore or junior year. Eligible students have 45-75 of college coursework completed and/or in-progress and a 3.2 cumulative GPA. Honors in the Major is not an option for current members of the Mahurin Honors College or Gatton and Craft Academy alumni.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Upper-Division Honors Credit in First major | 6-9 | |
| Honors Elective (any level/major) | 3-6 | |
| HON 402 | CE / T Proposal Writing Course | 1 |
| HON 403 | Honors Thesis / Project I | 3 |
Admission Requirements
Please see the Prospective Student section of the Mahurin Honors College website for admission requirements at https://www.wku.edu/honors/admissions/.
Curriculum
There are three academic tracks within the Mahurin Honors College: the 27-hour Non-Thesis track, the 27-hour Capstone Experience/Thesis (CE/T) track and the 16-hour Honors in the Major track.
Students who complete one of these tracks and graduate with a minimum 3.2 GPA are designated as “Mahurin Honors College” or “Honors in the Major” graduates on their final transcripts. Graduates receive distinctive medallions to be worn at Commencement.
Mahurin Honors College Features
Dedicated Course Sections
To facilitate greater faculty-student interaction, enrollment in honors sections is limited to honors-eligible students. Innovative course design, highly motivated students, and outstanding faculty create an intellectually engaging environment promoting critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Colloquia
Honors Colloquia are small, collaborative academic seminars with an emphasis on active learning, class discussion, and critical-thinking. Colloquia challenge and engage students through their interdisciplinary nature, providing for a distinctive academic experience.
Augmented Courses
Students enrolled in non-honors upper-division sections may develop an Honors Augmentation Contract with the faculty member, academic department, and the Mahurin Honors College to receive honors credit. This option transforms the course into an honors experience, thus expanding the range of courses in which a student can have an enhanced intellectual experience.
Capstone Experience/Thesis Project
The Capstone Experience/Thesis (CE/T) project is an original research or creative activity in a student’s major(s) and/or minor discipline(s). While the nature and form of the CE/T is flexible, the topic of the CE/T research should reflect the student’s academic, intellectual, and professional goals. Upon completion, the title of the CE/T appears on the student’s official transcript.
Self-Designed Studies
The Honors Self-Designed Studies (HSDS) major and minor permit students to design unique programs of study when WKU’s existing programs do not adequately fit their needs. To better serve the needs of students, there are five separate options for pursuing an HSDS major/minor. For more information about the advantages and opportunities, please see: https://www.wku.edu/honors/academics/self-designed-studies/index.php.
Priority Registration
Priority registration allows students greater flexibility constructing their schedule by allowing them to sign up for classes before the general student population. Honors students in good standing are eligible for Priority Registration after consulting with their Honors Academic Advisor.
Housing
Students may choose to live (space permitting) in an honors co-educational residence hall. A request for honors housing must be indicated on a student’s housing application.
Grants
Students are eligible to apply for grants to support a range of engaged out-of-classroom experience. For more information, please see https://www.wku.edu/honors/academics/grants_and_awards/index.php.
Department website: https://www.wku.edu/honors/academics/self-designed-studies/index.php
Program Coordinator
Lindy C. Davidson, lindy.davidson@wku.edu
The Honors Self-Designed Studies (HSDS) major and minor permit students to design unique programs of study when WKU’s existing programs do not adequately fit their needs. To better serve the needs of students, there are five separate options for pursuing an HSDS major/minor.
What are the general requirements for Honors Self-Designed Studies?
- Any proposed HSDS must be a major or minor WKU does not already have.
- At least one-half of the hours in any HSDS major or minor must be upper-division (numbered 300 or above).
- No more than six hours of courses used to satisfy Colonnade requirements may be used in the HSDS major or minor.
- The HSDS must include honors coursework, either through dedicated honors courses, or Honors Augmentation Contracts (HACs)
- In accordance with WKU degree requirements, any two separate academic degree programs must total a minimum of 54 credit hours and have at least 48 non-duplicated credit hours.
- Students completing an HSDS major or minor must complete all other requirements of the Mahurin Honors College.
- Students must meet with an MHC advisor and their HSDS faculty sponsor every semester and provide and update on progress.
How do I begin the process of creating an Honors Self-Designed Studies Major/Minor?
Choosing to create an HSDS major or minor is a highly personalized decision requiring you to carefully consider what educational options currently exist at WKU and your long-term academic and professional goals.
Step 1: Clearly understand and articulate your professional and personal goals.
Step 2: Refer to the Guide to Planning an HSDS Program to brainstorm, refine and, ultimately, design your major or minor.
Step 3: Meet with your MHC academic advisor to discuss how the HSDS major/minor fits with the MHC curriculum, including the required CE/T project.
Step 4: Submit your HSDS Proposal, which includes:
- A statement of 250 words describing how and why your academic, professional and intellectual goals are best achieved by an HSDS major/minor.
- A program of study detailing each course that will be part of your HSDS major and the semester in which you plan to take each course and which courses will be taken for honors credit.
- A list of three main learning outcomes that you will achieve through your HSDS major. These should focus on what the program of study will help you learn and understand, and how these outcomes are preparing you for the next stage of your academic, professional and intellectual journey.
- Signature from a faculty sponsor who supports and approves your HSDS major.
Proposal Forms:
What happens after I submit my proposal?
The Assistant Director for Academics of the MHC reviews all proposals within two weeks. You will be notified by email if your proposal is accepted as is, or if revisions are required.
Upon approval: Work with your MHC advisor to change your major on TopNet. Use your approved proposal for planning and registration.
Upon earning 75 credit hours in residence: Work with your MHC Advisor to submit the Honors Self-Designed Course Sheet. This form will direct the Registrar’s Office to create your program on the degree audit.