Honors Program
Welcome to the Honors Program at SOU: Dream Big, Learn More, Go Further
Is the Honors Program Right for You?
If you agree with several of the statements below, then the Honors Program may be for you!
- I like to be intellectually challenged
- I relish engaged discussions
- I enjoy the demands of critical thinking
- I should be able to defend my positions
- I would rather pursue certain topics in depth as opposed to learning a little about a lot
- I prefer interactive learning over lecture
- I favor smaller classes
- I seek to have academically-motivated peers around me
Mission and Goals of the Honors Program
The SOU Honors Program partners with departments and faculty across campus and is designed to provide students with a comprehensive intellectual experience both in and out of the classroom. The program seeks to instill intellectual excitement and leadership qualities in students that will prepare them for:
- continuing with graduate school,
- landing the desired job,
- contributing to their communities, and
- becoming active citizens
An Honors Council, made up of faculty and students oversees the design, policy, and administration of the Honors Program
Honors Graduation Options
Honors students can pursue one of three Graduation Options:
- Graduating with University Honors and Honors in a Specific Major
- Graduating with University Honors
- Graduating with Honors in a Specific Major
Realizing any of these graduation options will result in recognition on both a student's transcript and diploma.
The number of course credits required to fulfill each of these graduation options varies.
Freshmen are encouraged to consider options 1 and 2 whereas option three is more suitable for incoming juniors and seniors. For more information, see Honors Graduation Options.
Living and Learning Opportunities
Honors Courses emphasize disciplinary and multidisciplinary perspectives and argumentation. To this end, the program offers a specially designed Honors curriculum providing enriched exposure to scholarly and creative work and opportunities to pursue special projects that suit the student's interests.
For those pursuing a graduation option, their honors study culminates in a senior thesis or creative project that allows students to select an issue or question to address from their major field of study. This endeavor allows the student to demonstrate his or her understanding of processes of inquiry and to realize connections between their topic and other disciplines.
The Honors Club is a group of honors students who want to spend some of their free time exploring provocative ideas and experiences, challenging their thinking, and having social events that are just for fun. In addition, the club members contribute time and ideas to help the Honors Program staff evolve and enrich the Honors Program.
And for those who want to live among their academic peers who are also pursuing honors courses or an honors graduation option, Forest Hall has now been designated the Honors Residence Hall.
For more information on these opportunities, click on the appropriate link on the left.
The Honors Staff
The honors staff will provide you with personal guidance tailored to you, and they will work with you to anticipate problems and remove roadblocks on your path to graduation. The staff facilitates the creation of a suitable array of honors courses that satisfy your requirements.
Contact us if you have any questions or would like more information or a personal meeting to discuss your options.
