General Information

The Honors Program consists of two essential aspects,
curricular and co-curricular.

While distinct, both are intimately tied together and combine to provide a total Honors Program experience which integrates academic and social interaction in a variety of settings.

The Honors Program at Drake allows students to substitute the Honors Program Track for most of the general education requirements needed for graduation (known as Areas of Inquiry or AOI's).

The Honors Program is a multidisciplinary program and operates under the Office of the Provost rather than under any single college or school.

The program is administered by the Honors Director and the Faculty Advisory Board, made up of Honors faculty members and student representatives from the Honors Student Council.

The program also has its own student governance body, the Honors Student Council.

All Honors courses are specifically created for the Honors Program. Honors students are highly involved in the selection of Honors courses and solicitation of faculty to teach them. Limited to 20 students or fewer, each Honors course spans several disciplines or approaches to learning. The courses are taught by Drake's top faculty - many award winning teachers - on topics on which they have a particular expertise and interest. The classroom experience is characteristically different from regular classes. The format generally consists of discussion rather than lecture. Assignments and evaluation are based more on reading, writing, and continued revision rather than tests and exams. Honors classes provide a uniquely empowering environment where students and teachers interact on an equal level and where students take responsibility for their own learning and the direction of the class.

The Honors Program believes that learning occurs inside the classroom as well as in the outside environment. Therefore a broad range of activities and events are available each semester, most of which are planned by students. The Honors Student Council (HSC) is primarily responsible for the co-curricular component of the Program. Elected representatives plan speakers, discussions, social programs, community service activities, produce newsletters, host a high school quiz-bowl tournament, and work to recruit high school students. The HSC plays an active role on campus, and most programs and activities are open to all members of the Drake community. Additionally, the Honors Student Council provides opportunities for student involvement and leadership experience. Three First-Year Representatives are elected to the HSC Executive Committee to represent the entering class.