Honors Program
Honors Student
What is an Honors Student?
An honors student is a student whose academic performance prior to joining SOU, or while at SOU, satisfies criteria that permit that student to automatically register for, and take, classes with the honors course designation.
How do I become an Honors Student?
-
Students enrolled in previous SOU Honors programs are automatically admitted as Honors students in the new program.
-
Newly admitted students with exceptionally strong high school or transfer work will be automatically admitted as Honors students. To qualify for automatic admittance, students must meet one of the following criteria:
- A minimum high school GPA of 3.6
- A minimum combined total of 1200 from the critical reading and mathematics SAT sections with a minimum score of 500 in each section
- A minimum combined ACT score of 27 with a minimum score of 22 in both math and English
- A minimum transfer GPA of 3.6 (based on at least 36 quarter credits)
-
Any interested student may also earn the designation of Honors student based upon the recommendation of an Honors instructor. Here's how: Find an Honors course that interests you. Contact the instructor, explain your interest and your academic background, and ask his/her permission to join that class. Then, based on your performance in the Honors course, your instructor can recommend you be admitted to the Honors program as an Honors student.
Can I lose my Honors Student status?
Yes. To retain your Honors Student status, you must satisfy two requirements:
-
Take at least one Honors course within your first academic year at SOU
-
Maintain a 3.0 Term GPA and a 3.25 SOU Institutional GPA
You will receive a written warning if you are at risk of losing your honors student status so that you have time to take action to prevent being dropped from the honors program. If you are dropped from the program, you may contact the Honors Program Staff, to request reinstatement in the program.
Honors Scholar
What is an Honors Scholar?
Honors Scholars are Honors Students who intend to complete one of the Honors Graduation Options and have an approved plan on file for doing so with the Honors Office. By designating an honors graduation option, the scholar commits to completing a certain number of credits in honors level course work. Upon graduation, the honors scholar who has completed the required honors course work will receive recognition of such on both his/her diploma and transcript.
How do I become an Honors Scholar?
Within one year of becoming Honors students, students should complete at least one Honors course, identify their interest in the Honors Program, select their graduation option, apply to become an honors scholar, and develop their Honors plan. Honors students earn the designation of Honors Scholars when they have an approved plan on file with the Honors Office.
How do I make an Honors Scholar application?
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 in becoming an honors scholar and in graduating with honors.
Can I lose my status as an Honors Scholar?
Yes. If you cannot maintain required GPAs (same as for honors student above) or if you do not take enough courses to be able to realize your graduation option, you can lose your status as an honors scholar. However, as an honors scholar, you will be meeting with the honors program director or assistant annually to review your plan and your progress. The honors staff and your department adviser will both be resources to you for advice and counsel so that you have the best chance of being successful in your endeavors.
