History

After thirteen successful years of growth and achievement as an honors program, Old Dominion University's Honors College was established in 1997 as a means of furthering the University's commitment to excellence in education. The College also addresses some of the diverse needs and interests of the student body and faculty. It offers a four-year program to selected incoming freshmen and a number of current sophomores and transfer students who enjoy low-enrollment courses designed exclusively for them. In the first two years, the bulk of these courses is used to fulfill the University's lower division General Education requirements. A one-credit tutorial in The Honors College is required in the junior year and a three-credit senior honors colloquium in the final year of study. The final academic requirement needed to complete the Honors College experience is that each student take at least two junior/senior level courses as contract honors courses.

With an emphasis on teaching, innovation, and small classes, The Honors College offers the experience of a small liberal arts college within the framework of the large university. After four years of such an experience, students are better equipped to structure their lives and careers to meet their individual needs and strengths. A program that offers the best of both the small college and the large university naturally promotes greater awareness of self and of society.

Honors students are free to pursue any major. Among the majors chosen by current Honors College students are chemistry, engineering, art, elementary education, accounting, finance, political science, economics, history, English, criminal justice, sociology, biology, nursing, music, sports medicine, and physics.

Criteria used to select the limited number of first year students admitted annually include high school grade point average and curriculum, Scholastic Aptitude Test scores, class rank, and a written personal statement. Other students are admitted on the basis of a 3.50 college grade point average, the completion of no more than 36 college credit hours, and two letters of recommendation from college faculty members. Evidence of leadership qualities and potential is also weighed heavily in screening students.