Discipline Scholars

The Honors College is partnering with other colleges and schools at ECU to continue growing exclusive scholarship programs available to high-achieving students. If you are interested in majoring in business, humanities, or social science, the Discipline Scholars Programs within the Honors College are worth exploring. The Honors College features Discipline Scholars Programs with our nationally recognized College of Business and Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences.

Under these programs, selected students will receive additional scholarship support above and beyond the scholarship and benefits awarded by the Honors College and/or Brinkley-Lane Scholars Program, as well as special leadership, community engagement, and mentorship experiences.


Humanities Scholars Program

Humanities Scholars is a unique scholarship opportunity for Honors- and Brinkley-Lane Scholars-eligible students who wish to study the following areas at ECU: English, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Foreign Language (French, German, Russian Studies, and Hispanic Studies), and Classical Studies. This program is offered jointly by the Honors College and the Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences at East Carolina University.

Home to 16 academic departments and 16 interdisciplinary programs, the Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences is rich in tradition and innovation. Humanities Scholars benefit from dedicated faculty committed to effective classroom instruction, a model of student access that motivates students from diverse backgrounds, and a mission of service in the Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences. Humanities Scholars participate in leadership and community engagement opportunities and build close relationships with the Harriot College leadership team, faculty, and advisory board members.

Humanities Scholars benefit from a generous scholarship award beyond the scholarship and benefits awarded by the Honors College and/or Brinkley-Lane Scholars Program. Freshmen Humanities Scholars will live and learn in the Honors College collegial residence environment.
Students who are awarded a position in the Humanities Scholars Program must maintain the following standards throughout the:

  • Earn a minimum GPA (both overall and in humanities courses) of 3.5
  • Maintain personal and professional conduct consistent with the high standards and expectations of the Honors College, the Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences, and East Carolina University
  • Participate in required group and enrichment activities

For additional information about the Humanities Scholars Program, please email Ashley Harzog at clelanda18@ecu.edu.


Social Science Scholars Program

Social Science Scholars is a unique scholarship opportunity for Honors- and Brinkley-Lane Scholars-eligible students who wish to study the following areas at ECU: Anthropology, Criminal Justice, Economics, Geography, Planning, and Environment, History, Political Science, Psychology, and Sociology. This program is offered jointly by the Honors College and the Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences at East Carolina University.

Home to 16 academic departments and 17 interdisciplinary programs, the Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences is rich in tradition and innovation. Social Science Scholars benefit from dedicated faculty committed to effective classroom instruction, a model of student access that motivates students from diverse backgrounds, and a mission of service in the Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences. Social Science Scholars participate in leadership and community engagement opportunities and build close relationships with the Harriot College leadership team, faculty, and advisory board members.

Social Science Scholars benefit from a generous scholarship award beyond the scholarship and benefits awarded by the Honors College and/or Brinkley-Lane Scholars. Freshmen Social Science Scholars will live and learn in the Honors College collegial residence environment.

Students who are awarded a position in the Social Science Scholars Program must maintain the following standards throughout the program:

  • Earn a minimum GPA (both overall and in social science courses) of 3.5
  • Maintain personal and professional conduct consistent with the high standards and expectations of the Honors College, the Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences, and East Carolina University
  • Participate in required group and enrichment activities

For additional information about the Social Science Scholars Program, please contact Dr. Lester Zeager, Professor of Economics, at zeagerl@ecu.edu or 252-328-6408.


Business Scholars Program

Business Scholars is a prestigious opportunity for Honors- and Brinkley-Lane Scholars-eligible students who wish to study and pursue careers in business. It is offered jointly by the Honors College and the College of Business at East Carolina University. Business Scholars benefit from the College of Business Leadership and Professional Development program, a unique business curriculum designed to ensure that students develop the vital leadership skills of critical thinking, value orientation, communication, and team-building. Beyond this, Business Scholars participate in leadership and community engagement opportunities and build close relationships with the College of Business leadership team, faculty, and advisory board members. Business Scholars benefit from a generous scholarship award of $12,000 beyond those scholarship monies awarded by the Honors College (distributed as $1500 per semester over eight semesters). Further, Business Scholars are guaranteed entry into the nationally ranked East Carolina University MBA or MSA program upon completion of their undergraduate degree (provided they satisfy program requirements). Freshmen Business Scholars will live and learn in a collegial residence environment.

Students who are awarded a position in the Business Scholars Program must maintain the following standards throughout the program:

  • Earn a minimum GPA (both overall and in business courses) of 3.5
  • Maintain an acceptable level of personal deportment
  • Participate in required group and enrichment activities

Students who are awarded a Business Scholar position must maintain certain academic standards and participate in various activities to remain eligible for the scholarship and his or her seat in the MBA entering class. Students in the Business Scholars Program who remain eligible and interested will complete an application to the ECU MBA or MSA program in the first semester of their senior year and will be exempt from the supplemental application fee and the Graduate Management Admission Test requirement. They will receive a letter of acceptance that will enable them to enter the MBA or MSA program after graduation.

For additional information about the Business Scholars Program, please contact Karen Kus at kusk@ecu.edu or call 252-328-5571.


Natural Sciences Scholars Program

The Natural Sciences Scholars program is a unique scholarship opportunity for Honors- and Brinkley-Lane Scholars-eligible students who wish to study the following areas at ECU: Biology, Chemistry, Geological Sciences, and Physics. This program is offered jointly by the Honors College and the Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences at East Carolina University.

Home to 16 academic departments and 16 interdisciplinary programs, the Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences is rich in tradition and innovation. Natural Sciences Scholars benefit from dedicated faculty committed to effective classroom instruction, a model of student access that motivates students from diverse backgrounds, and a mission of service in the Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences. Natural Sciences Scholars participate in leadership and community engagement opportunities and build close relationships with the Harriot College leadership team, faculty, and advisory board members.

Natural Sciences Scholars benefit from a generous scholarship award beyond the scholarship and benefits awarded by the Honors College and/or Brinkley-Lane Scholars Program. Freshmen Natural Sciences Scholars will live and learn in the Honors College collegial residence environment.

Students who are awarded a position in the Natural Sciences Scholars Program must maintain the following standards throughout the program:

  • Earn a minimum GPA (both overall and in natural science courses) of 3.5
  • Maintain personal and professional conduct consistent with the high standards and expectations of the Honors College, the Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences, and East Carolina University
  • Participate in required group and enrichment activities

For additional information about the Natural Sciences Scholars Program, please email Ashley Harzog at clelanda18@ecu.edu.