The Honors College

Marianna Walker, Dean
Kevin Baxter, Associate Dean
Katherine O’Connor, Associate Dean

The Honors College at East Carolina University is a diverse intellectual community for academically talented students of strong character. Honors students engage in stimulating coursework that spans disciplines across campus, providing for a challenging and innovative curricular and co-curricular model. These students are provided with the opportunity to engage in immersive service-learning, undergraduate research, and internship experiences throughout their four years. Students will leave the Honors College with a foundation of skills and experiences designed to make them competitive for graduate programs, scholarships, and careers following graduation.

The Honors College provides students with a supportive living environment through a strong partnership with Campus Living. Honors students live together in Garrett Hall during their first year on campus where the Honors living-learning community allows for the natural formation of study groups, connections to students in similar classes, and a supportive network of academically talented peers.

Within the classroom, Honors students are exposed to experienced faculty from our many schools and colleges at ECU. Faculty interact with Honors students through seminars, colloquia, specially-designated sections of courses, research assistantships, mentoring and advising support. Honors students also have access to a talented and supportive Honors College staff who assist them in working toward completion of their Honors coursework and in securing special internship, research, and study abroad opportunities.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the Honors College at East Carolina University is competitive and by invitation. Students wishing to be considered for admission to the Honors College or any of its programs must meet the following minimum eligibility criteria to receive an invitation to apply:

Apply to East Carolina University (ECU) by the priority deadline (December 1)
Meet the following minimum criteria within both the standardized test and GPA categories:

- Minimum math/verbal combined SAT score of 1200 or minimum ACT score of 27
- Minimum un-weighted GPA of 3.5 or minimum weighted GPA of 4.0

Students who meet the above criteria will receive an invitation to complete the Honors College application. The postmarked deadline for submitting the completed Honors College application and associated materials is December 15th. Applications are reviewed throughout December and January with a targeted notification date of January 31st for those students who are admitted into the Honors College.

Program Requirements

Students will need to earn a final grade of B- (2.7) or higher to receive credit for each of the requirements listed below. Students may not use the honors-by-contract option to fulfill any of these requirements. Requirements may be met on a different schedule than listed below, so long as all requirements are fulfilled prior to graduation. Requirements can also be made flexible to allow students to study abroad, graduate in less than four years, or pursue a joint degree. In these cases, students will need to consult the advising team in the Honors College to receive approval.

Freshman year: ENGL 1100 *; HLTH 1000 **; HNRS 2000
Sophomore year: HNRS 3000
Junior year: HNRS 4000
Senior year: HNRS 4500 , HNRS 4550 ***
Prior to Graduation: Honors Seminars****; Honors elective coursework *****

* Students at ECU may place out of ENGL 1100 with an AP score of 3 or higher in English language or English literature or with a CLEP scaled score of 50 or higher in English composition. In these cases, students will also place out of the Honors requirement for this course.

**All ECU students are required to take two semester hours of health coursework. Honors College students take special sections of this course to fulfill both ECU and Honors College requirements.

*** HNRS 4500 and/or HNRS 4550 may be fulfilled using approved courses in other departments.

****Honors seminars may count toward foundations curriculum requirements. Students must complete two honors seminars prior to graduation.

*****Honors elective coursework is defined as additional Honors seminars, study abroad credit, 5,000-level coursework, and 294-299 sections of coursework at ECU. Students may not place out of the six semester hours of Honors elective coursework; however, they may complete these requirements using any of the options referenced.

For More Information

The Honors College offices are located in Mamie Jenkins Building and the administration and staff may be reached by e-mail at honorscollege@ecu.edu or by phone at 252-328-6373.

EC Scholars

The EC Scholars program is a merit scholarship program established in 1998 that attracts high-ability students to East Carolina University who have the promise and capability to become outstanding scholars and leaders in Eastern North Carolina and beyond. The EC Scholar award is offered to the best of our entering freshman class. This is the most prestigious scholarship offered at East Carolina University. EC Scholars exhibit outstanding academic performance, engagement in the community, effective leadership skills, and complete a required study abroad experience. The amount awarded to scholarship recipients is $40,000 ($5,000 per semester for eight continuous semesters). In addition, EC Scholars are provided with a $5,000 stipend to help support their Study Abroad experience.

Admission Requirements

Students wishing to be considered for the EC Scholars Award will first need to be accepted into the Honors College. Admission to the Honors College at East Carolina University is competitive and by invitation. Students wishing to be considered for an EC Scholars Award will first need to meet the following minimum eligibility criteria to receive an invitation to apply:

Apply to East Carolina University (ECU) by the priority deadline (December 1)
Meet the following minimum criteria within both the standardized test and GPA categories:

- Minimum math/verbal combined SAT score of 1200 or minimum ACT score of 27
- Minimum un-weighted GPA of 3.5 or minimum weighted GPA of 4.0

Students who meet the above criteria will receive an invitation to complete the Honors College application. The EC Scholars Award application is located within the Honors College application. The postmarked deadline for submitting the completed Honors College application and associated materials is December 15th.

Honors College applications are reviewed throughout December and January with a targeted notification date of January 31st for those students who are identified as finalists for the EC Scholars Award. Finalists are required to participate in face-to-face interviews in late-February on the campus of East Carolina University. Recipients of the EC Scholars Award will be notified by a targeted date of March 1st.

Program

EC Scholars will benefit from a curriculum that emphasizes community engagement, leadership and rigorous academic coursework. EC Scholars are required to follow the guidelines of the Honors College and of the EC Scholars Program. EC Scholars will enroll for a minimum course load of 12 semester hours during each fall and spring semester and must obtain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5. All EC Scholars will complete a Study Abroad academic experience and a Senior Honors Project.

For More Information

EC Scholars is a program of the Honors College and is located in Mamie Jenkins Building. The administration and staff may be reached by e-mail at honorscollege@ecu.edu or by phone at 252-328-6373.

Early Assurance Programs

Early Assurance Program in Audiology

The Early Assurance Program in Audiology is a competitive academic program jointly sponsored by the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders and the Honors College. Under this program, approximately two seats in the joint doctor of audiology (AuD) and doctor of philosophy (PhD) program entering class are reserved (four years in advance) for selected students who are North Carolina residents entering ECU as freshmen in ECU’s Honors College.

Admissions Requirements

Students wishing to be considered for the Early Assurance Program in Audiology will first need to be accepted into the Honors College. Admission to the Honors College at East Carolina University is competitive and by invitation. Students wishing to be considered for the Early Assurance Program in Audiology will first need to meet the following minimum eligibility criteria to receive an invitation to apply:

Apply to East Carolina University (ECU) by the priority deadline (December 1)
Meet the following minimum criteria within both the standardized test and GPA categories:

- Minimum math/verbal combined SAT score of 1200 or minimum ACT score of 27
- Minimum un-weighted GPA of 3.5 or minimum weighted GPA of 4.0

Students who meet the above criteria will receive an invitation to complete the Honors College application. The Early Assurance Program in Audiology application is located within the Honors College application. The postmarked deadline for submitting the completed Honors College application and associated materials is December 15th.

Applications are reviewed throughout December and January with a targeted notification date of January 31st for those students who are identified as finalists. Finalists are required to participate in finalist interviews in late-February on the campus of East Carolina University. Recipients for the Early Assurance Program in Audiology will be notified by a targeted date of March 1st.

Program

Students who are awarded a position in the Early Assurance Program in Audiology must maintain certain academic standards and participate in various activities to remain eligible for their seat in the AuD/PhD entering class. These requirements include:

earning a minimum GPA (both overall and science) of 3.5
completing all AuD/PhD requirements
maintaining “an acceptable level of personal deportment”
Participate in all AuD/PhD required group and enrichment activities

Students in the Early Assurance Program in Audiology who remain eligible and interested will be provided a guaranteed seat in the AuD/PhD program and will not be required to complete the graduate entry examination requirement.

For More Information

The Early Assurance Program in Audiology is jointly sponsored by the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders and the Honors College. The Honors College administration and staff may be reached by e-mail at honorscollege@ecu.edu or by phone at 252-328-6373.

Early Assurance Program in Medicine

The Early Assurance Program in Medicine is a competitive academic program jointly sponsored by the Brody School of Medicine and the Honors College. Under this program, approximately four of the 78 seats in the BSOM entering class are reserved (four years in advance) for selected students who are North Carolina residents entering ECU as freshmen in ECU’s Honors College.

Admissions Requirements

Students wishing to be considered for the Early Assurance Program in Medicine will first need to be accepted into the Honors College. Admission to the Honors College at East Carolina University is competitive and by invitation. Students wishing to be considered for the Early Assurance Program in Medicine will first need to meet the following minimum eligibility criteria to receive an invitation to apply:

Apply to East Carolina University (ECU) by the priority deadline (December 1)
Meet the following minimum criteria within both the standardized test and GPA categories:

- Minimum math/verbal combined SAT score of 1200 or minimum ACT score of 27
- Minimum un-weighted GPA of 3.5 or minimum weighted GPA of 4.0

Students who meet the above criteria will receive an invitation to complete the Honors College application. The Early Assurance Program in Medicine application is located within the Honors College application. The postmarked deadline for submitting the completed Honors College application and associated materials is December 15th.

Applications are reviewed throughout December and January with a targeted notification date of January 31st for those students who are identified as finalists. Finalists are required to participate in finalist interviews in late-February on the campus of East Carolina University. Recipients for the Early Assurance Program in Medicine will be notified by a targeted date of March 1st.

Program

Students who accept a position in the Early Assurance Program in Medicine must maintain certain academic standards and participate in various activities to remain eligible for their guaranteed seats in the entering class. These requirements include:

earning a minimum GPA (both overall and science) of 3.5
remaining eligible for the Honors College
completing all pre-med requirements by the end of the sophomore year
taking at least 3 foundations courses (9 credit hours) on campus in the humanities, social sciences, and/or fine arts
maintaining “an acceptable level of personal deportment”
participating in required group and enrichment activities (BSOM student buddy sessions, medical exposure, summer programs, service learning, AED participation, leadership roles, periodic advising at the BSOM, etc.)

Students in the Early Assurance Program in Medicine who remain eligible and interested will complete an application to the BSOM via the American Medical College Application Service early in their junior year, and will be exempt from both the secondary application fee and the Medical College Admission Test requirement. They will then receive a letter of acceptance with a one-year deferment, which will enable them to enter the BSOM at ECU after graduation.

For More Information

The Early Assurance Program in Medicine is jointly sponsored by the Brody School of Medicine and the Honors College. The Honors College administration and staff may be reached by e-mail at honorscollege@ecu.edu or by phone at 252-328-6373.

Early Assurance Program in Physical Therapy

The Early Assurance Program in Physical Therapy is a competitive academic program jointly sponsored by the Department of Physical Therapy and the Honors College. Under this program, approximately two of the 30 seats in the DPT entering class are reserved (four years in advance) for selected students who are North Carolina residents entering ECU as freshmen in ECU’s Honors College.

Admissions Requirements

Students wishing to be considered for the Early Assurance Program in Physical Therapy will first need to be accepted into the Honors College. Admission to the Honors College at East Carolina University is competitive and by invitation. Students wishing to be considered for the Early Assurance Program in Physical Therapy will first need to meet the following minimum eligibility criteria to receive an invitation to apply:

Apply to East Carolina University (ECU) by the priority deadline (December 1)
Meet the following minimum criteria within both the standardized test and GPA categories:

- Minimum math/verbal combined SAT score of 1200 or minimum ACT score of 27
- Minimum un-weighted GPA of 3.5 or minimum weighted GPA of 4.0

Students who meet the above criteria will receive an invitation to complete the Honors College application. The Early Assurance Program in Physical Therapy application is located within the Honors College application. The postmarked deadline for submitting the completed Honors College application and associated materials is December 15th.

Applications are reviewed throughout December and January with a targeted notification date of January 31st for those students who are identified as finalists. Finalists are required to participate in finalist interviews in late-February on the campus of East Carolina University. Recipients for the Early Assurance Program in Physical Therapy will be notified by a targeted date of March 1st.

Program

Students who are awarded a position in the Early Assurance Program in Physical Therapy must maintain certain academic standards and participate in various activities to remain eligible for their seat in the DPT entering class. These requirements include:

earning a minimum GPA (both overall and science) of 3.5
completing all DPT requirements by the end of the sophomore year
maintaining “an acceptable level of personal deportment”
Participate in all PT program activities developed specifically for participants in the Early Assurance Admission Program (establish a Doctor of Physical Therapy student mentor, participate in one of the ECU Department of Physical Therapy research laboratories, observe patient care in the ECU Department of Physical Therapy clinics)

Students who remain eligible will apply to the DPT program and Graduate School the spring of their junior year. Qualified students will be exempt from the Graduate Record Exam requirement and the interview process. During the summer semester following their junior year, all early-assured admission students will receive a letter of acceptance with a 1-year deferment. All accepted students must maintain acceptable academic standards, graduate with a baccalaureate degree, and begin the DPT program the year designated in the acceptance letter. Though not legally binding, it is understood that students receiving an early acceptance will not apply to other PT schools. Accepted students who fail to meet early admission requirements will be discontinued from the program and are not eligible for early assured admission. They may apply during standard DPT application times if they choose to do so.

For More Information

The Early Assurance Program in Physical Therapy is jointly sponsored by the Department of Physical Therapy and the Honors College. The Honors College administration and staff may be reached by e-mail at honorscollege@ecu.edu or by phone at 252-328-6373.

Business Scholars Program

The Business Scholars Program is a competitive academic program jointly sponsored by the College of Business and the Honors College. Under this program, up to ten seats in the MBA/MSA program are reserved (four years in advance) for selected students who are North Carolina residents entering ECU as freshmen in ECU’s Honors College.

Admissions Requirements

Students wishing to be considered for the Business Scholars Program will first need to be accepted into the Honors College. Admission to the Honors College at East Carolina University is competitive and by invitation. Students wishing to be considered for the Business Scholars Program will first need to meet the following minimum eligibility criteria to receive an invitation to apply:

Apply to East Carolina University (ECU) by the priority deadline (December 1)
Meet the following minimum criteria within both the standardized test and GPA categories:

- Minimum math/verbal combined SAT score of 1200 or minimum ACT score of 27
- Minimum un-weighted GPA of 3.5 or minimum weighted GPA of 4.0

Students who meet the above criteria will receive an invitation to complete the Honors College application. The Business Scholars Program application is located within the Honors College application. The postmarked deadline for submitting the completed Honors College application and associated materials is December 15th.

Applications are reviewed throughout December and January with a targeted notification date of January 31st for those students who are identified as finalists. Finalists are required to participate in finalist interviews in late-February on the campus of East Carolina University. Recipients for the Business Scholars Program will be notified by a targeted date of March 1st.

Program

Students who are awarded a position in the Business Scholars Program must maintain certain academic standards and participate in various activities to remain eligible for their seat in the Business Scholars entering class. These requirements include:
earning a minimum GPA (both overall and in business courses) of 3.5

maintaining “an acceptable level of personal deportment”
Participate in all required group and enrichment activities (periodic meetings with COB mentor, leadership roles, lunches/special events with COB leadership, speakers, Advisory Council members, etc.)

Students in the Business Scholars Program who remain eligible and interested will complete an application to the ECU MBA or MSA program in the first semester of their senior year and will be exempt from the supplemental application fee and the Graduate Management Admission Test requirement. They will receive a letter of acceptance that will enable them to enter the MBA or MSA program after graduation.

For More Information

The Business Scholars Program is jointly sponsored by the College of Business and the Honors College. The Honors College administration and staff may be reached by e-mail at honorscollege@ecu.edu or by phone at 252-328-6373.

Courses

Honors