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THE ALDERSGATE HONORS COLLEGE

Aldersgate Honors College

The Aldersgate Honors College at Northwest Nazarene University is an academic program designed for students who are looking for intellectual engagement. Aldersgate offers a transformative education that focuses on shaping the moral imagination for the purpose of personal formation and in service to the public. The program is Christ-centered, attending to all that reflects His truth, beauty and goodness in human culture from the ancient to the modern world.

In the Aldersgate Honors College, you’ll explore great books and debates, learning from those who have worked to redeem culture from what distorts and diminishes us. What are the thinkers, poets and artists of the past if not God’s creative and redemptive agents in the world? The program is comprised of seminar-style courses that revolve around interactive discussions within a cohort model. NNU’s vision is that you and your cohort will develop habits of heart and mind that allow you to be thoughtful, historically informed and culturally discerning.

For more information on Aldersgate Honors College, please write to the Director, Dr. Matt Millsap, at mmillsap@nnu.edu.

NNU's Aldersgate Honors College is an academic program designed for students who are looking for intellectual engagement.
Student reads in the library

What Type of Student is an Aldersgate Honors College Student? What Are the Eligibility Requirements?

Aldersgate Honors College students are intellectually curious, eager to challenge themselves and passionate about engaging with ideas that shape their personal beliefs and the world around them. If you’re the kind of student who loves a deep dive into philosophical and historical conversations, this program could be a great fit! Admission to the Honors College is selective, looking for students who are motivated, inquisitive and ready to commit to a rigorous educational experience.

To be eligible for consideration into the Aldersgate Honors College, you must have a GPA of 3.5 or above and have received an 1100 on the SAT or a 22 on the ACT.

Program Details

About the Aldersgate Honors College

The Honors College provides an alternative path through NNU’s general education program and is compatible with most majors. Classes focus on foundational texts in history, philosophy, literature and science. Our courses range from ancient Greece to the rise of modern democracy, each designed to encourage reflection and discussion in a supportive, Christ-centered environment.

Skills You’ll Gain

The program aspires to foster analytical thought, cultural literacy and informed citizenship. As an Aldersgate student, you’ll hone rhetorical and critical thinking skills within the context of the intellectual tradition of the West. Our hope is that through an immersion in familiar scripts and histories, you’ll cultivate a critical appreciation of our shared past.

Application Process & Deadlines

Ready to apply? The deadline for applications to the Aldersgate Honors College is February 15. We review applications thoroughly to select students who are passionate about their intellectual and moral formation. Decisions are announced shortly after the deadline, giving accepted students time to prepare for an exciting academic experience at NNU.

FAQs

How does the Honors College fit with my major?
The Aldersgate Honors College curriculum replaces NNU’s general education requirements, making it compatible with almost all majors. You’ll enjoy the Honors College experience while still focusing on your chosen field.
Who teaches Honors College courses?

Our dedicated Honors College faculty includes professors across various fields. They’re here to guide you through challenging ideas, provide mentorship and support your intellectual and personal growth.

  • Dr. Matt Millsap, Director of Aldersgate Honors College & Assistant Professor of American History
  • Dr. Tim Hahn, Assistant Professor of Theology
  • Dr. Stephen Morgan, Associate Professor of World History
  • Dr. Catherine Becker, Associate Professor of English
  • Dr. Autumn Pratt, Assistant Professor of Engineering
  • Dr. Justin Clardie, Professor of Political Science
  • Dr. Joe Bankard, Professor of Philosophy

See the faculty directory below.

What are seminar-style courses like?

A “seminar-style course” is a class where students and the professor sit together in a small group, discussing ideas and sharing perspectives instead of just listening to a lecture. In this type of course, everyone has a chance to speak, ask questions and explore big topics together. You’ll be encouraged to share your thoughts, think deeply about the material and learn from both your classmates and your professor. It’s a more interactive and personal way to learn, making it easy to dive into meaningful conversations and explore subjects in a way that feels engaging and collaborative.

Can I study abroad or take internships as an Honors College student?

Absolutely! Aldersgate students have the opportunity to participate in study-abroad programs, internships and other experiential learning opportunities.

Do Honors College courses replace my general education courses?
The Honors College doesn’t replace your general education courses entirely but enhances them. Honors students typically complete a set of eight Honors-specific courses designed to deepen critical thinking, interdisciplinary learning and engagement with complex ideas. You’ll also complete a curated selection of supplemental general education courses, ensuring you meet all University requirements.
Do Honors College students get unique scholarships?

All Honors College students receive NNU’s highest academic scholarship.

Find out about NNU’s merit scholarship awards here.

Which Courses Comprise the Aldersgate Honors College?

The Aldersgate Honors College offers a general education alternative plan that integrates with your major and includes a unique set of Honors courses. Each year, you’ll build on your knowledge, from exploring the ancient foundations of Western civilization to engaging with contemporary issues. This structured plan ensures that you’ll graduate on time, equipped with a comprehensive liberal arts education and ready for a variety of career paths.

two students looking at a book together

Course Texts

Plato, Republic 
Aristotle, Politics 
Boethius, On the Consolation of Philosophy 
Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica 
Galileo, “Dialogues Concerning Two New Sciences” 
Baron de Montesquieu, The Spirit of the Laws 
Neil Postman, Amusing Ourselves to Death 
Jonathan Haidt, The Righteous Mind: Why Good People are Divided by Politics and Religion 

Courses & Faculty

HNRS2310: Ancient Beginnings
Professor: Dr. Matt Millsap 

  • Description: Ancient Beginnings is a study of the historical origins of Western civilization. Our survey will follow the foundational texts of ancient Greece and Rome as well as the early Christian church. The sources this semester span a wide range of genres, including epic, history, philosophy, theology and ecclesiastical polemics.  

HNRS2320: The Middle Ages
Professor: Dr. Tim Hahn

  • Description: The Middle Ages is a study of Europe and the broader Mediterranean world following the fall of Rome, culminating in a survey of the development of humanism during the Renaissance. The course will follow foundational texts, ideas, artworks, people and cultural movements of the period.  

HNRS2330: Reformation and Revolution
Professor: Dr. Stephen Morgan

  • Description: This course will cover the transformations wrought by theological, cultural, and social movements that swept over Europe during the Reformation and the Enlightenment. The broader aim is to see the intellectual origins of the modern era.  

HNRS2340: Late Modernity
Professor: Dr. Matt Millsap

  • Description: Late Modernity is a study of thought and culture from the late nineteenth century to the present. Attention will be paid to existentialism, high modernism, the World Wars and the Holocaust, the Civil Rights movement and postmodernity.  

HNRS3100: Literature and the Moral Imagination
Professor: Dr. Catherine Becker

  • Description: This is a study of how literature intersects with moral and religious issues. Attention will be paid to literature as a creative form and how it reflects what it means to be human in a fallen world. The course will culminate in an extended literary argument.  

HNRS3200: Stories of Science
Professor: Dr. Autumn Pratt

  • Description: Stories of Science explores the nature of scientific investigation of the world from philosophical, historical, and methodological perspectives. Students will learn the fundamentals of the scientific method, natural philosophy and how Christians have dealt with the interplay of faith and science.  

HNRS3300: Religion and the Democratic Process
Professor: Dr. Justin Clardie

  • Description: This course explores the relationship between religion, government, and society. The historical, theoretical and contemporary manifestations of this relationship will be examined, with a particular emphasis on the role of faith in shaping public policy, social movements and cultural values. The course will also explore how people live out their faith in diverse democracies and how religion has influenced government structure and laws over time.  

HNRS3400: Quest for a Christian Mind
Professor: Dr. Joe Bankard

  • Description: Quest for a Christian Mind will explore fundamental and persisting philosophical questions about human nature, the good, and human flourishing. Students will learn how Christians have attempted to answer these questions in the past, and why these questions and debates are increasingly relevant in our current cultural moment. 

Joining the Aldersgate Honors College will be a transformative journey, preparing you for a life of purpose, service and thoughtful leadership. Are you ready to take on the challenge? 

Find out more information and send your submission of interest to Dr. Matt Millsap, Director of Aldersgate Honors College. 

Meet the Team