Honors College

In pursuit of excellence.

Honors College offers talented, high-achieving students a unique educational experience, a tight-knit community, and full participation in the vibrant and dynamic University community. In Honors College, students discover the range and depth of their academic potential, form lasting friendships with others who share their aspirations, and interact with faculty who continually challenge and inspire them.

Most incoming Honors College students graduated in the top 10 percent of their high school classes and belong to various honor societies. They also enjoy numerous interests and extracurricular activities and are committed to service in their communities.

The Honors College multidisciplinary first-year program, Culture and Expression, consists of two linked courses each semester that are designed and taught by a team of the University's most distinguished faculty. Students spend the majority of their time in small discussion groups with faculty, while twice-weekly "common meetings" are led by faculty with special expertise in the work under discussion.

"I was able to meet a lot of people and make great friends. By living in the Honors Housing it was easy for me to get help with my class work as I could just walk next door and knock on my neighbors' door." - Jennifer Shivey, Class of 2008

In addition to Culture and Expression, Honors College first year students complete their schedules with several other University courses, including First-Year Connections seminars and clusters (under advisement) that have schedules that do not conflict with Culture and Expression.

After the initial year, Honors College students earn honors credit via Honors College seminars, or by pursuing Honors Options in regular Hofstra courses. The flexibility of the Honors College curriculum permits students to major in any of Hofstra's more than 140 undergraduate areas of study.

Honors College students may choose to live in Honors Housing in either Liberty and Republic Halls or in VanderPoel Hall. The honors residential experience provides students with an even greater sense of community, as well as curricular and co-curricular support. In addition, Honors housing is the congenial site for a host of social and intellectual activities open to all Honors College students, whether residents or commuters. These events include visiting speakers, study breaks, "open-mic" nights, poetry readings and film series.

Honors College graduates earn baccalaureate degrees in the Hofstra school or college of their major along with the "Honors College Graduate" designation, upon completion of all Honors College requirements.

To help our students feel at home at Hofstra, the Honors College Dean's Office offers a home base, a welcoming lounge, personal academic advisement from the dean or associate dean, faculty mentors, and a rich slate of on- and off-campus events. Past events have included theater and gallery trips, outings to museums, lectures, occasional Yankees and Mets games, and frequent guest lectures.