Honors Program

The Merrimack College Honors Program is inspired by St. Augustine’s belief that studying with friends is the best environment for learning, challenging oneself and for discovering one’s passions. In describing his early education, he fondly recalls,

“I found all kinds of joy when I was in the company of my friends – talking, laughing and being kind to each other – reading, engaging books together – going from the lightest joking to talking of the deepest things and back again” (Confessions 4: 8, 13).

What is the Honors Program?

The Merrimack College Honors Program offers students with strong academic credentials, class standing, and leadership qualities the opportunity to study with other exceptional students in smaller and more challenging classes.  The Program isn’t a separate major, but an innovative and exciting approach to fulfilling the College’s general education requirements and to earn honors credit in advanced courses.  The Program also includes a variety of social and co-curricular activities.

Inspired by Augustine’s philosophy of teaching and learning, the Program is dedicated to:

• Learning in Community – We believe that learning with friends in small classes is the best way to succeed academically and personally.
• Active Learning – Honors courses are lively seminar-based discussions.  Many include service and experiential learning such as community service, fieldtrips, concerts, and plays.  The Program is a laboratory for innovative teaching.
• Transformative Experiences – The Honors Program challenges students to reach beyond their comfort level, to try new things in a process of self-discovery.  Augustine firmly believed that wisdom comes by reflecting on life’s experiences and seeking to understand ourselves through study, dialogue with others, and contemplation.

Click here for the Honors Program Brochure