Students in the Honors College at Arizona Christian University pursue intensive intellectual and moral character formation through the careful and systematic reading of great texts of western civilization, the study of Scripture, and the practice of spiritual disciplines. Through these activities, Honors College students develop habits and skills that will serve them throughout their lives – in their homes, churches, communities, and workplaces. This program aims to enhance and build upon the university’s mission and vision statements: to provide a biblically-integrated, liberal arts education equipping graduates to serve the Lord Jesus Christ in all aspects of life, as leaders of influence and excellence; and to educate and equip followers of Christ to transform culture with the truth.

 

 

Honors College students share classes with their peers in other programs at the university, but receive opportunities to study, reflect, and form community through additional on- and off-campus activities. Every activity emphasizes the preparation of our students to understand what is good, true, and just, while equipping them for excellent, beautiful, and righteous action in service to Jesus Christ.

 

 

The central activity for Honors College students will be 2-3 day intensives, typically held away from campus, in which students and professors will wrestle carefully with one or two masterworks of the Western canon in theology, philosophy, history, and literature. Students will read the texts in advance, then engage in serious conversation about what they have read, aiming to understand not only the content of the text, but how the ideas in the text can illuminate all aspects of their lives. Students will also gain capacities for reading, thinking, asking questions, and disagreeing well, with honor, humility, and courage.

 

 

After arriving on campus, Honors College students will participate in an induction ceremony that helps them recognize the responsibility of community life in the Honors College. Throughout their time at ACU, students will receive mentoring from the Honors College Director and faculty affiliated with the Honors College.

 

 

If you are an intellectually, morally, and spiritually motivated Christian high school student, and the program description appeals to you, we would welcome you to apply to the Honors College at Arizona Christian University.