Honors College
The Honors College experience is designed to inspire, engage, and challenge the most motivated and intellectually curious students who attend Wingate University. A student can apply for the opportunity to become a part of the Honors College after being admitted to Wingate. Honors College students typically have an unweighted GPA of 3.6 or above or weighted GPA of 3.8 or above in high school. When reviewing applications, the Honors College dean and assistant dean consider a student's service and leadership involvement, awards and honors, an essay response, and other information a student provides in the Honors College application.
The Honors College invites prospective students to submit an Honors College application or to participate in an interview event in the fall. Priority Honors College applications are due by January 15. An Honors College application submitted after January 15 by a prospective student will only be reviewed by the Honors Committee if space becomes available. Current students may be invited to apply after their first semester at Wingate; the application process for current students is highly competitive.
Honors curriculum can be completed alongside other degree requirements within two to three years, so students who plan to graduate early still have time to complete Honors work and graduate with University Honors.
What makes the Wingate Honors College remarkable?
Experiential Learning & Travel
The classroom can't show you what economic instability looks like in rural parts of the US. Nor can it taste like Italy.
Faculty & Peer Mentorship
You're not in this alone. A dedicated and driven faculty mentor will be by your side.
Leadership Initiatives
You have the opportunity to take center stage and lead with your peers, seminars, workshops, etc. Take the mic.
Research
Opportunities to investigate through academic research start when you're an undergraduate.
Honors College Curriculum
To graduate with University Honors, a student will complete 18-22 hours from 4 required categories. The range of 18-22 hours is due to different Honors credit options within categories 2, 3, and 4.
Admissions Process
Students admitted to Wingate are invited to apply to the Honors College. The application invitation will be sent in the fall. If an applicant is invited to join the Honors College, they will have opportunities for advising and orientation sessions in the spring or summer, and register for fall Honors classes to begin their Honors journey at Wingate!
Limited space may also be available in the college for current Wingate students and transfer students who may apply at the end of their first semester at Wingate. A transfer student who was in an Honors Program or Honors College at other institutions may petition the dean for up to six credit hours for Honors-designated classes taken at previous institutions.
Honors-Level Work
The Honors College curriculum begins in the first year: new honors students take an Honors seminar focused on leadership and have honors offerings to choose from that count towards students' general education requirements. Honors students appreciate that many honors classes are more discussion-based than traditional courses.
You will also have options to tailor your honors experience to specific grad school, career, and professional development goals:
- Take honors coursework and/or propose honors contract work in your major or minor and work with a faculty mentor.
- Conduct research, write an honors thesis, complete an internship or another honors capstone experience in your junior or senior year.
- Present your capstone project at Wingate's Wellspring Symposium
- Broaden your horizons and enhance your resume with Evelyn V. Taylor Honors Student Experience Funds.
- Present your research at at least one national or regional conference in the fall or spring (supported by EVT Funds).
- Apply for EVT funding for study abroad or other academic travel for community and cultural engagement and leadership development.
- Apply for EVT funding for independent research and/or career training opportunities.
Honors plans are tailored to a student's major, course needs, graduation plan and career interests. The Honors Dean, Assistant Dean, and faculty advisor work with Honors students to design a plan for their Honors coursework and capstone.
The Honors Program provided me with so many opportunities. I had classes that challenged me and professors who pushed me to reach my highest potential. I was able to research what I loved and attend conferences across the country to display my work with my peers and professors. Overall, I feel that my entire education was enriched greatly by being a member of this program."
Chemistry graduate pursuing a master's in biomedical science research at Wake Forest University.
In the Honors Program, I was able to take courses that many other students did not get to, and I was able to take courses that differed greatly from my major, biology. Many science majors often don’t get as many opportunities to express the creative aspects of ourselves, so classes like Honors 205 involving Fine Arts or even the honors section of General Education courses like GPS (Global Perspectives), gave me a chance to not have my world overrun with intense biology all the time."
Biology major and University Honors graduate
Master's in Public Health at Wingate
Deciding to join the Honors program was one of the best decisions I have made as a Wingate student. Every Honors course I take, I am surrounded by driven classmates who put their academics above all else. The professors structure the classes to allow for discussion and assignments that allow for more creativity than other courses. Each Honors student is able to conduct research on a topic of their choice, allowing each Wingate Bulldog to take charge of their education. I am thankful to have gotten the Honors program experience at Wingate and take my education to the next level, preparing me for what comes after undergrad."
History and biology double major and Honors Graduate
Wingate Men's Swim Team
Pursuing PharmD degree
The Honors Program gave me the opportunity to reach my full potential and explore topics outside of my major and required courses. I looked forward to my challenging honors courses which were discussion-based and in which I was surrounded by high-achieving peers. Additionally, through the Honors Program, I made long-lasting relationships with peers and professors. Overall, my Honors Program experience benefited my long-term academic goals post-graduation."
Wingate Honors Graduate and IU McKinney School of Law Graduate; Lawyer
The Honors Program helped me develop as a student. It allowed me the opportunity to be more independent with my studies and gave me the wonderful opportunity to be involved in research."
Biology graduate, now pursuing her doctor of physical therapy at Wingate.
Many Honors classes and Honors research experiences also count for general education requirements and/or major requirements, so Honors students graduate on time, and many Honors students graduate early!
An Honorable Presence on Campus
Honors students study, socialize and unwind in the Efird Memorial building located on the academic quad. The Honors College at Efird has a patio area, a small kitchen, and study areas for students. Honors staff and student workers are also in Efird for honors advising and meetings. New honors students can choose to be a part of an Honors College residential community at Wingate. Honors residents and honors commuters also have opportunities to network with Wingate University leaders and connect with other students at honors gatherings and events.
FAQs
- Do I need to maintain a certain GPA?
- Are there grade requirements for honors credit?
- How many Honors hours are required?
- How will my honors work be acknowledged?
- What is "Honors Contract Work"?
- Where is the Honors College at Efird?
- Who should I contact?
Do I need to maintain a certain GPA?
Are there grade requirements for honors credit?
How many Honors hours are required?
How will my honors work be acknowledged?
What is "Honors Contract Work"?
Where is the Honors College at Efird?
Who should I contact?
Questions?
Wingate Honors College
honors.college@wingate.edu