about the honors college

What is the Honors College?

Founded in 1982, the Honors College is a four-year program designed for the academically superior student. Unlike at most universities, which organize their curriculum into departments (for example, biology, literature, or communications), at SCSU, courses in the Honors College are interdisciplinary, organized around themes and questions common to many disciplines, and approached differently in each. Honors courses are also team-taught, with professors from different departments approaching the Honors class from the distinct perspectives of their own training and scholarship. Honors classes are small, each limited to an enrollment of 20 students, which fosters a high level of student involvement in the classroom. Students do much writing, and they receive close, individualized feedback on their papers and creative work. Through this technique of lively, interdisciplinary interchange, the free flow of ideas as well as their interpretation and analysis is encouraged in the Honors student, who learns to discover underlying structures of knowledge in all areas of study, whatever his/her major.

Are scholarships available?

Yes! Each year, the majority of our Honors freshmen are awarded a Presidential Scholarship, which is guaranteed competitively renewable for a total of eight semesters, provided that the student remains in good standing in the Honors College. This scholarship, which covers full in-state tuition and fees, is not need-based and so does not require a financial aid application. (Other forms of aid may be available through the Financial Aid Office, so you should still file with FAFSA.) The Presidential Scholarship, available only to Honors College members, acknowledges the student's accomplishments and encourages his or her potential. It is an honor which demonstrates the continuing commitment of SCSU to academic excellence.

How is the Honors program distinctive?

During the first two years of college, our students normally enroll in two Honors courses each semester, along with three other courses selected from their major field or free electives. These eight Honors courses, when taken together, replace most of the all-university required courses and comprise roughly a third of the student's total academic program. Honors College students may choose a major in any field (provided that their major does not require them to take more than 24 semester hours in that area during the first two years). During their final two years, Honors students concentrate on their major fields. In addition, juniors take a research seminar in the Honors College, and seniors complete an Honors Thesis or independent project, working closely with a faculty advisor. Successful Honors College seniors are recognized at the annual Awards Convocation, where they receive university honors from their department(s) as well as from the Honors College.

Who may qualify for admission to the Honors College?

• High school seniors with good academic records and solid SAT scores;
• Incoming freshmen recommended by faculty members;
• Incoming transfer students with outstanding records who have not yet met most of the all-university requirements;
• Qualified students with strong interest in our program.

All students who consider enrolling in our program College must have a strong academic background and be eager to make a commitment to the challenge of Honors courses. Most of our students were in the top quarter of their high school classes and earned high SAT scores. Because we are strongly committed to diversity, all serious students will be considered for admission to the Honors College.

What else is special about the Honors College?

There is a bond among our students and faculty which both fosters individual achievement and also promotes group camaraderie. A key role in our program is played by faculty advisement, which begins before registration and continues throughout the Honors student's university career. Freshmen receive counsel from the Honors College director, from another specially-chosen Honors professor, and also from an advisor in their major area of study. In addition, Honors College students are a tightly-knit group. With faculty, they plan numerous outings and extracurricular activities, both social and intellectual. Honors students are often campus leaders, traditionally interesting themselves in local causes and looking outward to the larger world community.