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.
Begin your Honors College Application Now
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.
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…
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Tommy Kraemer
Program Coordinator, Classical Christian Honors College
Tommy Kraemer earned a B.A. in Biblical & Theological Studies and a M.A. in Theology & Letters at…
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 college at the University of Northwestern. Its programs seek to honor Christ by cultivating wisdom and virtue by pursuing the true, the good, and the beautiful. Read more about our approach.
The CCHC offers a secondary major in Great Books & Ideas — a three-year, 40 credit program consisting of six credits of unique honors courses each semester and a four-credit international study experience course. The honors courses satisfy 36 credits of UNW’s 55 core (general education) requirements, including courses in Bible, Leadership & Professionalism, Global and Cultural Engagement, and Creative Expression categories. Students will complete other general and major-specific education courses as required for their program.
The Great Books & Ideas program is designed for incoming undergraduate students who are intellectually curious, eager to go deep in the faith, enjoy a discussion-oriented classroom environment, and who want to grow as thinkers and leaders. The program is a sequential, cohort-based, text-driven, discussion-oriented college experience grounded in historic Christian orthodoxy. Students will be challenged to advance the Christian intellectual tradition by putting the wisdom of the past into conversation with the most controversial issues of the present. Program enrollment is intentionally limited to cohorts of sixteen in order to provide students the opportunity to engage one another in robust discussion. Admitted students will work with their academic advisor to customize the program with their primary major.
Because the Great Books & Ideas program is a three-year program designed to satisfy many of the requirements for UNW’s core (general education) curriculum, it can be completed without adding additional time to your undergraduate degree.
Absolutely! This program is designed to enable students to participate in the fine arts, athletics, student government, and other activities.
Post-Secondary Education Option (PSEO) and Post-Secondary-On-Campus (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 Great Books & Ideas Program is designed to be transfer–friendly. Find out what courses you can apply to the remaining core (general education) requirements by contacting an admissions counselor or PSEO advisor.
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].
