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Academics

Honors College

Pursue What Is Good, True, and Just

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: 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.

The Honors Experience

Every activity emphasizes preparation to understand what is good, true, and just, while equipping you for excellent, beautiful, and righteous action in service to Jesus Christ.

Great Texts of Western Civilization

Wrestle carefully with masterworks of the Western canon in theology, philosophy, history, and literature. Read deeply, then engage in serious conversation about how these ideas illuminate all aspects of your life.

Community & Mentoring

Share classes with peers across programs while receiving additional opportunities to study, reflect, and form community. Receive ongoing mentoring from the Honors College Director and affiliated faculty throughout your time at ACU.

Spiritual Formation

Practice spiritual disciplines alongside intellectual development. Begin with an induction ceremony that marks your commitment to community life in the Honors College and the responsibility that comes with it.

Great Texts Intensives

The central activity for Honors College students is 2–3 day intensives, typically held away from campus, in which students and professors wrestle carefully with one or two masterworks of the Western canon in theology, philosophy, history, and literature.

Students 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 can illuminate all aspects of their lives.

Through these intensives, students gain capacities for reading, thinking, asking questions, and disagreeing well—with honor, humility, and courage.

What You'll Gain

Deep Reading Skills

Learn to engage masterworks of theology, philosophy, history, and literature with care and precision—skills that transfer to every field.

Critical Thinking

Gain the courage and humility to engage with challenging ideas and differing perspectives with honor and intellectual honesty.

Moral Character Formation

Pursue not just knowledge but virtue—building habits of integrity, compassion, and conviction that shape every area of your life.

Lifelong Mentoring Relationships

Build meaningful connections with the Honors College Director and faculty mentors who invest in your intellectual and spiritual growth.

A Community of Peers

Join a cohort of intellectually motivated students who challenge, support, and sharpen one another throughout their time at ACU.

Meet the Director

The Honors College exists for students who want more than a degree—they want formation. When you sit with a masterwork of Western civilization and wrestle with its ideas alongside your peers and professors, something happens that a lecture hall can’t replicate. You learn to read with care, think with precision, ask with courage, and disagree with honor. These are the capacities that will define your leadership in every sphere—your home, your church, your community, and your career. If you’re the kind of student who is drawn to hard questions and serious conversation, who wants both intellectual rigor and spiritual depth, I’d welcome you to join us.

Dr. Josh Blander

Honors College Director

Is the Honors College Right for You?

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

You love to read deeply

You think critically about ideas

You seek spiritual depth

You value serious conversation

You pursue moral character

You thrive in community

Questions About the Honors College?

We'd love to hear from you. Reach out to learn more about the program, the application process, or to schedule a conversation about whether the Honors College is the right fit.

Dr. Joshua Blander

Honors College Director

1 (602) 386-4128 [email protected]
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