May 18, 2024  
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
Catalog Navigation
  Catalog Home
  Message from the President
  University Calendar
  About the University
  Admissions
  General Education: The Human Community
  Colleges
  Academic Departments
  Degree Requirements at James Madison University
  Programs of Study
  Course Descriptions
  Academic Policies and Procedures
  Student Services and Learning Resources
  Tuition and Fees
  Financial Aid, Scholarships and Student Employment
  University Faculty
  Publishing Statement
  Your Right to Know
  Non-Discrimination Statement
  Archived Catalogs
HELP
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

Honors Interdisciplinary Studies Minor

Students accepted into the Honors College  pursue a minor in Honors Interdisciplinary Studies, with the option to complete a Capstone Experience. The requirements of the Honors Interdisciplinary Studies Minor are flexible, and are designed to provide students with a space to synthesize multiple avenues of interest. The mission of the James Madison University Honors College  is to develop a diverse community of inquisitive and aspirational learners from all parts of campus through distinctive and challenging educational experiences. Our core values include independent, student-centered learning; interdisciplinary training; collaboration; and active and informed service and leadership.

The interdisciplinary space of the JMU Honors College  creates a community of scholars in which students, faculty and staff from across the campus may engage in environments which encourage an exploration of ideas from multiple disciplines, viewpoints and perspectives. 

Honors Interdisciplinary Studies Minor Requirements

All students admitted to the Honors College  pursue a minor in Honors Interdisciplinary Studies. They may also elect to pursue an honors scholar designation. The honors scholar designation requires the completion of either the honors senior e-portfolio project or a departmental honors capstone. Students who complete a departmental honors capstone project will receive a graduation distinction in the major or minor of their capstone project. 

Students must show progression in honors coursework and maintain a GPA of 3.0 in honors courses to remain in good standing in the college.  

Students must declare their intended honors scholar pathway or request a waiver for the honors scholar requirements by the first semester of their junior year.

Honors Interdisciplinary Studies Minor (Honors Core): 19 Credit Hours

Introduction to Honors: 1 Credit Hour

Choose one:

Honors courses: 12 Credit Hours

Diversity or Global Engagement Course: 3 Credit Hours

See the list of Honors diversity courses and Global Engagement courses below.



Research or Experiential Learning Course: 3 Credit Hours

See the list of Honors research or experiential learning courses below.

Honors Scholar Designation: 6 Credit Hours

The Honors Scholar designation requires students to complete 25 credits, 19 of which come from the Honors Core. Students can earn the Honors Scholar designation by completing the Honors ePortfolio Project Pathway or the Departmental Honors Capstone Pathway. Students who wish to complete the minor without the Honors Scholar designation should contact an Honors College  advisor for information on waiving the ePortfolio/capstone project requirement.

One of the following: 6 Credit Hours

Senior e Portfolio Project

Completion of the following courses for a total of 3 credits and final completion of the project.​​​​​​​

Departmental Honors Capstone Project:

Completion of a 499 Honors sequence or departmental approved courses for 6 hours of credit and presentation requirements 6.00 credit hours.

Capstone requirements are defined by the academic unit in consultation with the Honors College.  Students will work with their academic unit and their Honors Liaison to define the capstone.  May be but is not limited to a thesis, project, or portfolio.

Approval from the academic unit in which the capstone is completed is required.

Capstone students will earn a graduation designation as an “Honors Scholar with Distinction in [Major or Minor]”​​​​​​​.

Total: 25 Credit Hours

List of Honors Diversity Courses

List of Honors Research and Experiential Learning Courses

Footnote

*Some majors have specific courses that have been approved for the Honors Interdisciplinary Studies Minor; please contact an Honors Academic Advisor and your Honors Liaison with specific questions.

Department-Approved Honors for Non-Minor Students

Current JMU students who are not in the Honors Interdisciplinary Studies minor may pursue independent scholarship or creative activity leading to the completion of a Departmental Honors Capstone Project in their major or minor. These students must declare their interest in completing departmental honors and must obtain Honors College  permission and submit the final project to the Honors College .

Upon approval of the major or minor academic unit and the Honors College  a graduation designation with distinction in the major or minor is awarded to students completing this project with a grade of “B” or better.  

Departmental Honors Capstone for Non-Minor Students

  • Completion of a 499 Honors sequence or departmental approved courses for 6 hours of credit and presentation requirements 6.00 Credit Hours.
  • Capstone requirements are defined by the academic unit in consultation with the Honors College .  Students will work with their academic unit and their Honors Liaison to define the capstone.  May be but is not limited to a thesis, project, or portfolio.
  • Approval from the academic unit in which the capstone is completed is required.
  • Capstone students will earn a graduation designation as “With Distinction in [Major or Minor].”