Program Requirements
Overall, students participating in the GCL Honors Program must fulfill a minimum of 32 hours of GCL-designated courses to graduate with “Global and Community Leadership Honors” on their diploma. There are also three (3) hours of Honors Academy Seminars. These 32 GCL Honors hours are composed of certain types of courses and learning experiences (see chart below), although much of the individual specialization results from a student’s selection of and support for a particular class. That is, in addition to courses deemed as counting towards GCL by the GCL staff, individual students are encouraged to seek courses that meet their individual interests, and propose additional work that would elevate it to deserving GCL honors status. An honors contract is then set up among the student, supervising faculty member, and GCL staff.
32 Hours of GCL Honors Credit | Two, 3-credit hour GCL signature courses | 6 hours |
| Honors designated courses (many can be within a school/departmental honors program in the major field, and up to 9 hours are within the approved core) | 18 hours |
| Study abroad or study away, internship, or service learning | 3 hours |
| Honors thesis on global or community leadership topic within major field | 3 hours |
| Two, 1-credit hour GCL Leadership courses | 2 hours |
3 Hours of Honors Academy Seminars | 3, 1-credit hour honors seminars, taken in conjunction with other Honors Academy students | 3 hours |
Given the above-mentioned requirements, a typical student trajectory might look like the following during a four-year college career:
Year 1 Fall | Year 1 Spring |
Signature Course: “Exploring Birmingham” (3)
Honors Approved Core: FLC course (3) Honors Academy Leadership I (1)
| GCL Leadership I: “Thinking Like a Leader” (1)
GCL Approved Core, Departmental, or Honors Option (3) |
Year 2 Fall | Year 2 Spring |
Honors Academy Leadership II (1)
GCL Approved Core, Departmental, or Honors Option (3) | GCL Leadership II: "Thinking Locally and Globally" (1) GCL Approved Core, Departmental, or Honors Option: Social Justice or Human Rights Course (3) |
Year 3 Fall | Year 3 Spring or Summer
|
GCL Signature Course: Community-Based, Experiential-Learning Course (3) Honors Academy Leadership III (1)
GCL Approved Core, Departmental, or Honors Option (3) | Study Abroad/Study Away, or Community Internship or Service Learning (3) |
Year 4 Fall | Year 4 Spring |
| Departmental Honors: Capstone Research (3) | Honors Thesis: Global or Community Topic (3) |
*
Italics denote classes that must be taken at that time. Other courses could be moved around to fit a student’s schedule.