PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS: HONORS PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

Flexible Curriculum and Choices

Honors is a journey, a privilege, and a commitment. The University Honors Program at CSU brings gifted students together with terrific teachers who will encourage them to identify their intellectual interests and pursue them as deeply and as far as they can. Because Honors students do not fall into a "one size fits all" category, our program provides two alternatives for academically talented and motivated students.

The University Honors Scholars program (Track 1) is designed for outstanding students who wish to fulfill a majority of their general education requirements through innovative interdisciplinary seminars. Honors students fulfill history and writing requirements, for example, by taking broad-based seminars rather than stand-alone composition or history courses.

In addition, many academic departments allow students to participate in the Honors Program through the Discipline Honors Scholar program (Track 2). This option is well suited for outstanding students who have completed many general education requirements and wish to focus on upper division Honors experiences in their majors.

Students in both tracks enjoy the same benefits of participation in the Honors program.

The University Honors Scholar Option (Track 1)

To fulfill the requirements in this option, a student must complete the 23-credit Honors Core Curriculum and achieve a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.50 at the time of graduation.

The advantages of the University Honors Scholar option are:

• An enhanced undergraduate education through small, interdisciplinary seminars and honors courses
• A superior way to fulfill the University's graduation requirements
• Completion of the AUCC requirements in the following seven categories: written communication, additional communication, arts/humanities, social/behavioral science, historical perspectives, global and cultural awareness, U.S. public values and institutions
• Special recognition by the Honors Program and the college during graduation ceremonies
• University Honors Scholar designation appears on transcript and diploma
• An advantage when applying for employment or graduate school

Track 1 includes an integrated core of four interdisciplinary Honors seminars, two Honors courses in the major, and an Honors thesis/creative project. The design of the core reflects the view that a world-class education is continuous and balanced among disciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches, and that it incorporates both breadth and depth of studies. The seminars share common integrative themes (based upon the All-University Core Curriculum [AUCC] requirements) and students are engaged in broad intellectual perspectives throughout their college career. The two courses in the major enable students to connect more closely with faculty and to engage more deeply in disciplinary studies. The Honors thesis (which may include creative artistry) is the quintessential capstone experience.

             1. Integrated Core of Four Interdisciplinary Honors Seminars
                       ­ HONR 192, First-Year Seminar                                                              4 credits
                       ­ HONR 193, Seminar                                                                                3 credits
                       ­ HONR 392, Seminar                                                                                 3 credits
                       ­ HONR 492, Senior Seminar                                                                    3 credits
             2. Two Honors Courses in the Department, College, and/or Major
                       ­ A sophomore-level course, (200-300 level)                                   3 credits
                       ­ An upper division course, (300-400 level)                                      3 credits
             3. Honors Thesis or Project
                       ­ HONR 399, Honors Pre-Thesis                                                             1 credit
                       ­ HONR 499, Senior Honors Thesis                                                       3 credits

Total                                                                                                                               23 credits

The Discipline Honors Scholar Option (Track 2)

This option is a 17-credit program of study that consists of a 1-credit honors seminar (for freshmen) and 16 credits of upper-division courses in the major/discipline, including the Honors pre-thesis and senior Honors thesis.

The student's academic department designates appropriate courses for Honors students pursuing this option.

         1. IU 193H, Freshman Seminar (Honors)                                                 1 credit
         2. 3-4 Honors courses in the major/discipline                                         12 credits
         3. Honors Thesis or Project
                       ­ HONR 399, Honors Pre-Thesis                                                       1 credit
                       ­ HONR 499, Senior Honors Thesis                                                  3 credits
Total                                                                                                                         17 credits

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We welcome questions and comments about the University Honors Program. Email us at honors@colostate.edu or call (970) 491-5679 (fax: 970 491-2617)
©1997-2006 Colorado State University Honors Program.

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