Honors Mission Statement

The Bay Path Honors Program provides the academically talented and exceptionally motivated undergraduate student with uniquely challenging and intellectually stimulating educational opportunities beyond the traditional curriculum. Under the guidance of faculty known for their excellence in teaching and scholarship, students investigate special topics in interdisciplinary honors seminars. The Honors Program culminates in a major independent creative or research project.

Honors Program Overview

• Academics: In their first two years, Bay Path Honors Program students take a special one-credit seminar each semester. These seminars are team-taught, interdisciplinary courses, which examine exciting topics from different perspectives. Courses will include group discussion led by some of Bay Path’s finest faculty. The purpose of these one-credit seminars is to expose students to faculty, other students, and topics outside their major and help the student develop a broad perspective on topics of universal importance. In the last two years, the Honors Program shifts to individual departments, where faculty in the student’s major develop requirements designed to deepen the student’s knowledge, creativity, and proficiency in their own majors. Whereas the first two years seek to broaden the student’s vision, the final two years aim to sharpen the student’s focus in their chosen area of specialization.

• Maintaining Good Standing: Honors Program students must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.50 at the end of each academic year, complete required courses, and take part in required community service.

• Honors Program Student Board: Each year, students in the Honors Program elect officers to an Honors Program Student Board. The officers include president, vice president and community service coordinator. The Council works on a number of projects, including planning the induction for first year Honors Program students, a yearly trip and other social activities, community service events, and a ceremony for graduating Honors Program Seniors.

• Community Service: The Honors Program seeks to promote Bay Path University’s commitment to serving the greater community. In that spirit, the Honors Program Student Board coordinates various service activities. Honors Program students take part in two community service efforts each year, at least one of which must be an event organized by the Honors Program Student Board.

Honors Program Admissions Policy and Application Procedure

The Honors Program faculty seeks to admit approximately 15-20 promising students to the Honors Program each year. Their invitation to join the Honors Program will be based upon the following criteria:

• High school grade point average of 3.50 or above;

• Demonstrated evidence of past academic achievement, and a commitment to extracurricular activities and community service.

Transfer Students and Late Applicants

Transfer students may also apply for the program. Admission will be based on a 3.50 grade point average and openings in the program. Transfer students enter the program in their academic year (a sophomore transfer will enter with current honors sophomores and enroll in the sophomore honors classes, for example). Current Bay Path University students may apply to enter the Honors Program with a 3.50 grade point average and the recommendation of two Bay Path professors.