Honors Program
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ: What is the difference between a regular course and an honors course?
Honors courses are for students who want to go beyond the basics with a higher level of academic challenge. Classes are restricted to a smaller number of students. The class design is more discussion-based, interactive, and hands on. Topics covered and assignments may go more in depth. More critical thinking and defensive reasoning will be called for. There are no unique prerequisites. Students either take these courses selectively for the experience or through a plan to graduate with honors.
FAQ: Are the requirements for the honors courses in addition to the regular requirements for graduation?
No. The honors courses satisfy your regular credit requirements for graduation as well as applying toward any honors graduation option you may be pursuing.
FAQ: Are there unique prerequisites for the honors version of a course versus the regular course?
No. If an honors course is an alternative to a regular version of the course and the regular version has a prerequisite, the honors version of the course will have the same prerequisite. It will not be different or unique to the honors version of the course.
FAQ: What is the difference in being an honors student versus an honors scholar?
An honors student is someone who has qualified through GPA performance to register for honors classes without needing a professor's recommendation. The student will retain this status as long as s/he takes an honors class within the first year at SOU and maintains required GPA performance.
An honors scholar is: someone who has qualified through GPA performance to register for honors classes and who has taken at least one class; and, who has made application to pursue a specific graduation option and been accepted; and, who maintains GPA performance while pursuing the Honors credential. Upon successful completion of the chosen option, the student will receive recognition on both the transcript and diploma of his/her achievement.
FAQ: Why should I apply to be an honors scholar sooner rather than later?
By making your declaration to graduate with honors early in your education, we can:
- provide you with personal guidance tailored to you as an honors scholar;
- anticipate problems and remove roadblocks on your path to graduation;
- make it easier for you as you pursue a challenging and rewarding learning experience; and,
- facilitate the creation of a suitable array of honors courses that satisfy your requirements.
And if your major department does not presently have an honors program in your major, by declaring early we have time to work toward a goal of having such a program that can benefit you!
FAQ: What is graduating with honors?
This involves earning a specified number of credits that differ if you want to graduate with University Honors, Honors in Your Major, or both. These credits substitute for existing ones required to graduate rather than adding new ones. Successful completion earns mention on your transcript and diploma.
FAQ: What is the difference in pursuing University Honors versus Honors in a Major?
Graduating with University Honors involves taking 40 hours of course work that combines a broad array of honors courses with community-based learning activities that emphasize leadership.
Graduating with Honors in a Major involves taking 12 hours of courses customized to your major, often involving a senior thesis or creative project.
You can also pursue graduating with both, in which case you would have 24 hours of the broader course work, 4 hours of community-based learning, and the concentrated work in your major.
FAQ: If I am no longer a Freshman or Sophomore, is it worth it to me to try to graduate with honors at this stage in my education?
While you may be too far along to graduate with University Honors, you may still be in fine shape to graduate with Honors in Your Major. Remember that you only need 12 hours of honors course work to get this credential and that is not in addition to your requirements for the major....this course work will satisfy a part of that.
FAQ: What if I want to apply to graduate with honors in my major but my major department does not have an honors program at this time?
First, make your application to be a scholar with the Honors Program staff directly. After we review your application and GPA performance, we will discuss your application with your major department. They already may be planning to bring one on board or will assess the feasibility of doing so in time for you to benefit from it. If the department does decide to proceed with such a program, you will be so advised. At that time you can then make application to your major department.
FAQ: How do I become an Honors Scholar?
Once you have completed at least one honors course, you may apply to become an Honors Scholar, declaring your intent to pursue graduation with University Honors and/or Honors in your Major.
Choose the word document if you want to fill in the form electronically. Items to fill in are [in brackets].
Choose the pdf document if you have trouble downloading the word document or just want to print a form to fill in by hand.
Click here for the word document (78 Kb)
click here for the pdf version (122.03 Kb)
Contact the Honors Program Staff for guidance or to alert them to your interest.
FAQ: What happens to my honors status if I fall below the required GPA or do not take honors courses?
You can lose your honors student status if you either 1)fail to take an honors course within one year of receiving the honors student status or 2) fall below the required term GPA of 3.0 or the SOU institutional GPA of 3.25. The Honors Program staff tracks your academic record and will alert you if you are at risk for losing your honors student status. If you are an honors scholar, a meeting will be held with you to offer advice and counsel so that you are not at risk.
FAQ: Can I take an honors course if I am not an honors student?
Priority will be given to honors students and honors scholars who can register without instructor permission and early if they are either freshman or sophomores. If you are not in one of these situations but want to take a particular honors class, you may ask the honors professor for permission to attend. If you attend, the professor may chose to recommend you for the honors student status; if you are so interested, let the professor know that.
