If you complete a project within your declared major and have a 3.5 GPA, you will graduate with honors. Honors Institute Fellows may complete an honors project within their major if they choose. You will graduate with Distinction if you complete a project outside your major.
Achieve More at William Jewell College
Cultivate critical thinking in an academic journey that goes beyond the traditional classroom experience.
College Honors Programs in Kansas City
Shaping Tomorrow’s Leaders and Critical Thinkers
Research and discover more about the world around you. Challenge and investigate existing ideas with other high-level thinkers. Travel abroad and study at one of the most prestigious universities in the world. All of these opportunities and more are possible through our college honors programs at William Jewell.
Recognizing Your Achievements
Other than participating in the college honors programs, Jewell has several ways to recognize your excellence in the classroom and your pursuit of additional challenges.
In recognition of achievement in any major, citations will be awarded at graduation:
- Summa cum laude: 3.9-4.0 GPA
- Magna cum laude: 3.8-3.899 GPA
The Dean’s List is announced each semester for students enrolled in at least 14 credit hours with a GPA of 3.7 or higher.
Membership is awarded to students whose GPAs place them in the top 10% of the graduating class.
Several majors recognize leadership, scholarship and research through induction into honor societies. At graduation, you will wear honor cords denoting your membership.
Why Consider William Jewell College Honors Programs?
Innovative Collaboration
You’ll collaborate in small classes with other like-minded classmates to foster innovation on concepts and ideas.
Creative Exploration
Forge your own path and choose what you get to research and explore throughout your honors curriculum.
Intensive Education
Go above and beyond with engaging instruction that encourages you to reach your highest potential.
Find Your Purpose. Find Your Place.
If you don’t know your direction yet, we embrace the unknowns at William Jewell College in Kansas City. Use our major match tool to explore the possibilities.
Frequently Asked Questions About Honors
We evaluate your application in its entirety when we make selections for the Honors Institute or the Oxbridge Honors Program. Your GPA should reflect your hard work during high school, but we do not have a minimum requirement for admission. Please note that the Oxbridge Honors Program is especially competitive, as we only enroll approximately 20 students in each incoming class.
We always encourage students to participate in undergraduate research. In the Honors Institute, you will design and implement an issue-based, experiential project. For Oxbridge, the curriculum is more rigid, but personalized instruction will allow you to explore areas of interest alongside faculty in your tutorial studies.
Yes. Honors students live and take most of their classes with the rest of the student body. Though these honors programs may require more time and greater focus, our honors students regularly engage in a wide range of college activities, including music, theatre, debate, sports, leadership programs, student newspaper and the full range of college activities.