Classical Christian Honors College
Welcome to the Classical Christian Honors College at University of Northwestern – St. Paul!
The Classical Christian Honors College
The Classical Christian Honors College (CCHC) is an intentional community of motivated students and seasoned faculty mentors dedicated to the pursuit of truth, goodness, and beauty. Designed for students who want to challenge themselves academically and spiritually, the CCHC educates students in wisdom and virtue through rigorous reading, lively discussion, and focused writing.
Great Books. Great People. Great Aim.
Honors College students embark on a three-year intellectual and spiritual journey seeking to address life’s most important questions—exploring the human condition, justice, freedom, purpose, happiness, and design. Students read deeply from the great works of literature, philosophy, theology, and history—great books and ideas that have stood the test of time. They spend hours in stimulating and challenging discussion with a small group of dedicated peers and a seasoned faculty mentor. Students are challenged to apply the insight of the great books to the complex challenges of contemporary culture with historical understanding, biblical wisdom, and Christian virtue. All our efforts are aimed at developing and modeling a life of mature discipleship marked by a deepening love for the triune God, His Word, and His world.
Great Preparation
The Great Books & Ideas program is a unique way to fulfill most of the core curriculum requirements at Northwestern. It serves alongside one’s primary area of study as a second major. The holistic development of the Classical Christian Honors College serves a wide range of careers. Graduates of these programs are well-prepared for a variety of fields like education, ministry, healthcare, business, law, and public service. Whatever major or career path you choose to pursue, the CCHC will equip you with the knowledge, tools, and character to navigate a complex world with confidence and purpose.
Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them – Psalm 111:2
Apply to the Classical Christian Honors College
Take the next step toward your future. Apply now and experience the difference of a classical Christian education at University of Northwestern – St. Paul.
Think Critically, in the Fear of God
Learning is at the very heart of what it means to be a Christian (Mk 12:29-31). To love the Lord with all our mind means taking seriously the biblical claim that all truth belongs to and coheres in Christ (Col 1:17). Therefore, we are called into a journey of wonder and delight as we explore a world “charged with the grandeur of God.” The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom (Ps. 111:10).
Integrate the Past as a Life-long Learner
From Plato to Augustine to Alfred to Lewis, we stand in the long line of thinkers who believe that human flourishing and productive civic engagement result from wrestling with enduring ideas. We aim to overcome the tendency to think that what is new is what is best—what Lewis referred to as “chronological snobbery”—by cultivating intellectual humility. The pathway to a life of wisdom is listening carefully to those who have come before us and taking every thought captive to obey Christ (2 Cor 10:5-6).
Communicate Wisely and Effectively
Christians are called to speak truth into the world with boldness and clarity (Eph. 6:20; Col 4:4) and in a way that aims to please God and not man (1Thess 2:4). We seek to listen carefully, represent fairly, and communicate with gentleness, reasonableness, and charity, guarding against scorn, sarcasm, panic, and volubility. We discuss to learn. We write to clarify. We aim to amplify truth, goodness, and beauty. We do all this in service of God and for the good of others.
Engage Culture with Grace and Truth
Because we know where history is going, we don’t have to respond in fear or resignation. Instead, we can stand on the shoulders of those who have come before us and harness their insight to address the complex cultural challenges we face. We can speak truth into culture without compromising our witness that salvation comes by grace through faith.
Prize and Cultivate Relational Beauty
Love for one another is the distinguishing mark of authentic Christianity (Jn 13:15). Therefore, our life together is characterized by a relational culture that corresponds to the gospel we hold dear. We believe that wisdom and virtue are catalyzed in the context of trust and friendship, and we aim to develop and exemplify relational beauty in the classroom, dorm room, and lunchroom so that we can live it in every other sphere of life (Rom 15:7).
Stand Firm in Gospel Truth
We believe in the gospel like we believe in the sun—not only because we can see its brilliance, but because by its light we see everything else. In a very real way, the world cannot be seen as it truly is without fundamentally acknowledging the Lordship of Jesus. Therefore, we unapologetically examine the great ideas of history with Him at the very center (Col 1:17). And because the gospel is true, we seek to amplify it in all that we do.
Be on Mission
It would be an unspeakable tragedy to gain the world and forfeit one’s soul (Mk 8:36). Despite its intellectual, economic, and civic value, our learning has a more important end. We want our lives to be marked by a growing love for the triune God, His Word, and His world.
Classical Christian Honors College Faculty
Ryan Griffith, Ph.D.
Dean of the Classical Christian Honors College
Dr. Griffith earned a B.A. in Political Science and an M.A. in Biblical Exegesis, both from Wheaton College in Illinois, before earning a second master’s degree in Biblical and Pastoral Studies…
Read Full BioFrequently Asked Questions
We would love to answer any questions you have. Find answers below to frequently asked questions, or reach out to talk to a counselor today!
The Classical Christian Honors College is an undergraduate liberal arts program that seeks to cultivate wisdom and virtue by pursuing the true, the good, and the beautiful.
The honors curriculum consists of six credits of unique honors courses each semester. Each honors student will ultimately complete a 40-credit honors second major. The honors courses replace many of the general education requirements, for example, English, Philosophy, Bible, and Leadership. Students will complete other general education and major-specific education courses as required for their program.
The CCHC is designed for incoming undergraduate students who thrive on intellectual challenge and seek a sequential, cohort-based, text-driven, discussion-oriented college experience grounded in historic Christian orthodoxy. Students will read widely and engage in intensive discussion over a broad range of literature. Honors students will grow spiritually and academically alongside a cohort of 16 fellow honors students and seasoned faculty mentors. Each cohort is intentionally small, allowing for collaboration and discussion. A student’s participation in the CCHC requires a three-year residential commitment. Admitted students will work with their academic advisor to customize the program with your first major.
Absolutely! This program is designed to foster participation in fine arts, athletics, student government, and other activities. CCHC students will work closely with advisors to plan a successful program of study with activities.
PSEO and PSOC students will not be eligible to apply for the inaugural cohort (Fall 2025). There may be opportunities for senior PSOC students to join future cohorts of the CCHC. Details on participation will be updated in May 2025.
We consider your entire academic portfolio and encourage you to apply if you’re interested in the program. Historically, UNW honors students have had an average unweighted high school GPA of 3.92 or an average ACT score of 28.
Applying to the Classical Christian Honors College is a two-part process. You will need to start your application to the University of Northwestern – St. Paul and follow the instructions for the Classical Christian Honors College Application.
The CCHC is designed to be as transfer friendly as possible. Students can transfer in a variety of general education courses, e.g., Math, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, History, Art, Music, Public Speaking, and Global Engagement. General education courses in English, Philosophy, Bible, and Leadership, however, will need to be completed through the CCHC.
The CCHC builds on the fruitful legacy of the Eagle Scholars Honors Program. While the Eagle Scholars Honors Program is no longer admitting new students, current Eagle Scholars (including the Fall 2024 cohort) will continue in the program until graduation.
Current Eagle Scholars may choose to apply for admission into the CCHC.
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For more information about admissions to the Classical Christian Honors College (CCHC), please reach out to Kyle Peach, Director of Traditional Undergraduate Admissions, at [email protected].
