Carlow University invites exceptional students who want to excel in intellectual development and leadership skills to advance their personal and professional success and make a significant contribution to society.

• Honors scholarships and awards
• Enchanced opportunities for travel and study abroad
• Work with Honors faculty, scholars, researchers, and advisors
• Individual research projects
• Small, interactive classes
• Early course registration
• Designation of “Carlow Scholar” on transcripts

Honors courses are designed to enhance students’ major fields of study through novel perspectives and new approaches to learning. The Honors program consists of four Honors courses:

Honors Section of CC 100, 101, or 102
Honors students are required take an Honors-designated skills course during their first year.

Honors Section of a Core Curriculum Course
Honors students select from Honors core courses for a liberal arts foundation, emphasizing creative, innovative approaches and perspectives.

Honors Experience within the Major
Honors students work with a faculty mentor to explore topics relevant to their majors through an Honors-designated major course or special tutorial. An additional Honors core course may be substituted for this requirement.

Junior/Senior Colloquium
This interdisciplinary course examines a challenging social issue from the perspectives of several academic disciplines and may include guest speakers or extra-curricular experiences to provide additional insight.

	Honors Program Brochure (PDF)

Participation in the Carlow University Honors Program is most frequently by University invitation to high school seniors. High school seniors who are not invited to participate in the Honors Program can apply during the second semester of their first year if they have earned a minimum QPA of 3.6, and have received a faculty nomination.

The program requires a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.6, verbal/math SAT score of 1100, or a minimum composite ACT score of 24. The student should have completed advanced or accelerated courses such as two honors i.e., AP, IB, or dual enrollment courses.

International Students
The director of International Studies nominates international students who are eligible for the Honors program.

Will I feel at home in the Carlow University Honors Program?
If you enjoy being challenged, pushing yourself beyond ordinary limits, discussing controversial issues, and expressing yourself in new and creative ways, then the Carlow Honors program is definitely for you. Carlow’s Honors students are diverse, representing a wide variety of majors, backgrounds, ages, and nationalities.

Do Honors students take many extra courses?
No. Most of the Honors courses you will take will fulfill University requirements—the first year skills course, the two core courses, and the Junior/Senior Colloquium meet either first-year or core requirements. Major experience can be fulfilled through a major course or as a tutorial.

How will Honors courses affect my progress in my major field of study?
Honors courses provide innovative and exciting ways to explore disciplinary and interdisciplinary topics. In fact, students often say their Honors courses actually enhance their major field of study by offering novel perspectives and new approaches to learning.

What else does the Honors program have to offer?
In addition to providing a supportive and stimulating atmosphere for learning, Carlow’s Honors program also offers enriching cultural and social opportunities that foster individual growth, leadership potential, and creative expression.

If you are hungry for more complex concepts and ideas, then the Honors Program gives you that little extra to chew on."
—Stacy Delledonne '06, History