Pursue any major. Study great books. Pay no extra tuition.
Honors College
Think deeper. Learn broader. Live faithfully.
The Honors College equips students to think critically and Christianly through Scripture, Great Books, and the Humanities. Pair it with any major to earn a double major in four years—at no additional cost.
This faith-centered classical education shapes wise leaders with the character, curiosity, and clarity needed for careers in medicine, law, education, ministry, business, and beyond—forming the head, heart, hands, and habits for a lifetime of purpose.
Honors College is a Distinct Formation Experience:
- Explicitly Christian classical education
- Team-taught Great Books courses every semester
- Small, discussion-based classes
- Honors College Common Room in historic La Quinta Mansion
- Classical & cross-disciplinary learning
- Enrichment included (theater, retreats, dinners)
- No additional tuition cost
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Smaller Class Sizes
Honors College programs have smaller class sizes, which can lead to more personalized attention from professors. This fosters a more interactive and engaging learning environment.
Enhanced Academic Rigor
Honors College courses offer a higher level of academic challenge. Courses are designed to be intellectually stimulating and they help students develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills.
Interdisciplinary Studies
Seminars in the Honors College cover interdisciplinary topics and provide opportunities for deeper exploration of subjects. They can be intellectually enriching and help students make connections between different fields of study.
Career Path
Honors graduates are sought after not only for what they know, but for how they think. You are not limited to a single career path. Consider wisdom and virtue in your meaning, not just the jobs:
- Medicine
- Ministry
- Education
- Business
- Law & graduate study
Requirements
GPA: 3.5 and above
Application Essay
Letter or Recommendation
- On-ground only (no online)
- Evening class format (Mon 6–9pm)
- Separate application + requirements
- Concurrent student eligibility
- No requirement to double major
Honors College Scholarship
Renewable $11,000/year • Application required
The Honors College Scholarship is awarded based on a committee selection process, which includes the initial application essay, references, and an interview.
Mentorship from Faculty Champions
“The exciting thing about an Honors College double-major is that it combines the best of a classical education in the humanities—literature, Bible, and critical thinking—with whatever specific field to which God has called you. It gives you more out of your college experience, with no additional cost, and no additional time in school.”
– Dr. Josh McNall, Director of the OKWU Honors College
Questions? Contact Dr. Josh McNall
Why Honors College Matters
An Honors College education shapes who you are becoming—not just what you do. Because Honors degrees are interdisciplinary—teaching students how to think creatively and critically—graduates are uniquely prepared to adapt to a changing world. With innovations like “AI” (artificial intelligence) transforming the job landscape, Honors graduates are equipped to be ready for whatever lies in store.
The major features pedagogy centered around an Oxford-tutorial model, primarily utilizing seminars and small-group tutoring sessions, along with hybrid online coursework. Our curriculum is focused upon great character, using the great books and great questions as guides.
Taught by Experts
Professors in the Honors College come from various Schools across campus, bringing their individual expertise to the classroom and helping students make connections between different subjects. Students in the Honors College also receive specialized advising and mentoring, which can help them navigate their academic and career paths more effectively.
“The OKWU Honors College pushed me to grow in ways I didn’t expect. It sharpened my ability to communicate clearlyand instilledconfidence. I am more equipped to lead, listen, and think deeply about the world around me.”
Featured Core Classes
God, Salvation, and the New Testament
Scripture through theological and literary lenses — A study of the New Testament’s theme of the inbreaking Kingdom of God as proclaimed and enacted in the ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The spiritual, ethical, political, and social implications of the gospel are explored in their first-century context and ongoing relevance.
Contextualizing History: Biblical and Secular
Great texts shaping moral imagination – A readings-based survey of the central themes in Western thought, religion, and culture and the antecedent civilizations which influenced the emergence of the west, with special emphasis given to resulting modern political theory and the consequences of both Biblical and secular thought.
Rhetoric and Speaking as Influence
Ancient wisdom applied to modern life – A study of the classical and modern theories of public speaking and interpersonal communication as forms of influence. With significant influence given upon persuasive speech, other topics may include interpersonal and group communication, and conflict management. Special attention will be given to the ethics and responsibility of influence and leadership.
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