Honors students at Henry Ford College are challenged to excel academically as they develop their skills in composition, speech, independent research, and critical thinking. Henry Ford II Honors Program faculty members mentor students to explore their intellectual interests and potential in many areas. Students work together actively. Faculty members take an active role in assisting students in transferring to four-year transfer institutions of their choice, including applying for transfer scholarships.
Established in 1974, the Honors Program has been charged with the following mission:
- Provide talented and creative students with opportunities to develop and apply their talents
- Encourage academic responsibility, independent thinking, and the initiative to work and learn independently
- Provide student with opportunities for deeper knowledge in various disciplines and broader perspectives of the student’s personal role in society
- Create association with students and faculty interested in these goals
An Outstanding Student Experience
The Henry Ford II Honors Program at HFC offers students a structured program consisting of core courses and requirements in humanities, English composition, science, math, and foreign language, as well as requirements in their major field of study. The program is designed to teach students to think critically and to conduct research through various methods, including the use of libraries, databases, and other resources. The goal is to gain the tools and characteristics to succeed academically, personally, and professionally throughout one's life.
In their second year, students work one-on-one with Honors faculty members in the unique setting of Honors Directed Studies. Students research subjects in depth, and are encouraged to work on projects that can be presented or published. Those in the performing or creative arts are encouraged to work on projects that can be exhibited, performed, or broadcast. Students will also complete a Great Works class.
Students receive multiple opportunities to engage with communities locally and, in some cases, abroad.
As one example, the specialized transfer program called Transfer Bridges to the Humanities @ University of Michigan was established in 2018 specifically for Liberal Arts and Humanities majors to transfer to U-M Ann Arbor's College of Literature, Science and the Arts, including U-M's Honors Program. These students begin their connections with UM students and faculty from their first semester at HFC, so the transfer experience will be comfortable, seamless, and rewarding.
Support for Twice Exceptional (2E) students
The Honors Program is designed to offer support for the entire student – academic, professional, intellectual, social, and career. We build the support structure so that all honors students benefit from the guidance and expertise of our honors faculty. However, some students might need more guidance and support.
Twice Exceptional students (or 2E) are students who are gifted intellectually and may also have a co-occurring diagnosis of neurodivergence (ADHD, Autism, etc.). Adapting to the 21st Century, the Honors Program at HFC provides support beyond the classroom with:
- Smaller class sizes for more faculty attention
- One-on-one mentoring from a dedicated full-time faculty member
- Tailoring of the neurodivergent student’s education to their goals and strengths
- A dedicated Honors Hub where honors students can meet, relax, and study
- A sensory room in the Honors Hub for taking a break and regulating
- Etiquette training and practice for academic and career endeavors
- Social gatherings with faculty and peers (with a mind toward making those adaptive and instructive)
Transfer to Four-Year Universities
Graduates of the Henry Ford II Honors Program have gone on to major institutions of higher learning. To name a few:
- College for Creative Studies
- Connecticut College
- Central Michigan University
- Drexel University (Philadelphia)
- Eastern Michigan University
- Ferris State University School of Pharmacy
- Grand Valley State University
- Indiana University
- Lawrence Technological University
- Madonna University
- Michigan State University
- New York University
- Siena Heights University
- Texas A & M
- University of Detroit Mercy
- University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
- University of Michigan - Dearborn
- University of Southern California
- Wayne State University
- Western Michigan University
- Yale University
- and many more
Student academic success is not limited to the undergraduate level. Henry Ford II Honors graduates have gained admission to their top-choice schools of law, medicine, veterinary medicine, business, and various other graduate schools.
Earn a Transfer Scholarship
Many of our graduates are the recipients of prestigious transfer scholarships, including:
- Warrior Scholarship at Wayne State University
- Community College Transfer Scholarship at the University of Michigan
- Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship
- Michigan Grant at the University of Michigan
- Regents Scholarship at Eastern Michigan
- Jesuit Founders’ Scholarship at the University of Detroit Mercy
- Phi Theta Kappa Transfer Scholarship at several regional universities
Admission Requirements
Applicants should have a 3.5 cumulative grade point average in high school and an SAT score of 1260 or higher. Currently enrolled HFC students must have completed 12 or more hours in 100-level or higher courses as a full-time student or have completed 15 cumulative hours in 100-level or higher courses as a part-time student before applying to the Honors Program. Applicants are encouraged to apply early in their senior year in high school, because applications are considered year-round. The program is open to part-time and full-time students.
Applicants must submit an Honors Program application form, along with their high school transcript and a letter of recommendation from a teacher or counselor. High school applicants must also submit a general college application form and a high school transcript to the HFC Admissions Office.
Academic and Career Requirements for admitted students
The following courses are required as part of your Honors sequence. We encourage you to take other classes concurrent with the program requirements, so you can complete your HFC education and, optimally, graduate within 2 to 3 years.
Fall of Year 1
ENG 131 H: Intro to College Writing for Honors students
HONS 151 Honors Colloquium: History and Culture of Detroit (required for transfer to Wayne State Honors program)
Or HONS 161 Colloquium (topic changes every two years)
Winter of Year 1
English 132 H – College Writing and Research for Honors students
HONS 251 – Great Works
Year 2
HONS 231 or 232 – Directed study – one-on-one research with a faculty member
Other requirements
- Work toward your chosen degree program at HFC
- Maintain a GPA of 3.5 or higher
- Meet with your mentor least twice per semester
- Maintain a professional profile: résumé/CV and personal statement (with help of mentor)
- Attend transfer seminars every semester
- Complete 15 hours of on-campus volunteer work
Scholarships at HFC
A limited number of merit-based scholarships covering tuition are available to qualified students. Successful applicants to the program are automatically considered for these scholarships.
Honors Students and Alumni
The Honors Program at Henry Ford College was the launching point for numerous successful graduates and exciting projects. View some of the success stories and biographies of students who have completed the program:
Contact
For more information contact:
Brad Romans, Dean, School of Liberal Arts
bpromans@hfcc.edu
313-845-6385