University Honors

John R. Vile, Dean

The Honors College curriculum is designed with the needs of the superior student in mind. It is a University-wide program, leading to a degree with University Honors in a major of the student’s choice. Emphasis is on small classes, excellence of instruction, and interaction between students and professors.

The University Honors College is housed in the Paul W. Martin Sr. Honors Building, a facility designed to provide a sense of community among high-achieving students.

Entering freshmen are eligible to participate in the Honors College if they have a minimum high school GPA of 3.50 and a 25 composite score on the ACT or SAT 1200. Returning MTSU and transfer students with 12 or more hours must have a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or greater to enroll in Honors classes.

Participation in the MTSU Honors College does not afford students an automatic waiver of out-of-state tuition.

 Graduation Requirements

To graduate from the University Honors College, a student must

1. complete a minimum of 18 hours of lower-division Honors coursework or approved substitutions;
2. complete the following 11 hours of upper-division Honors coursework:
   1. a minimum of 3 hours of any 3000/4000 Honors section or Honors upper-division contract (or approved upper-division study abroad or internship substitution);
   2. 1 hour, UH 3000 - University Honors Lecture Series ;
   3. 3 hours, Honors Interdisciplinary Seminar (UH 3500 , UH 4600 , approved study abroad, internship substitution, UH 3900 , or UH 4010 );
   4. 1 hour, UH 4900 - Honors Thesis Tutorial  (Astronomy or Physics majors take ASTR 4850 /PHYS 4850  - approval required);
   5. 3 hours, UH 4950 - Honors Independent Research  or Creative Project (Astronomy or Physics majors take ASTR 4900 /PHYS 4900  - approval required);
3. have a minimum 3.25 overall GPA;
4. file an Intent to Graduate with University Honors form no later than the beginning of the semester of graduation.

Recognition

Students who graduate from the University Honors College

1. receive a certificate upon completion of 18 hours lower-division Honors coursework;
2. have all Honors coursework designated on their transcripts;
3. have University Honors College graduate designated on the official transcript and diploma;
4. wear special academic regalia at graduation.

Honors Associate Requirements

Students who lack the 18 lower-division Honors hours may earn an Honors Associate if they

1. have at least three semesters left before graduation;
2. receive approval from an Honors College advisor;
3. complete the following 11 hours of upper division Honors coursework:
   1. a minimum of 3 hours of any 3000/4000 Honors section or Honors upper-division contract (or approved upper-division study abroad or internship substitution);
   2. 1 hour, UH 3000 - University Honors Lecture Series ;
   3. 3 hours, Honors Interdisciplinary Seminar (UH 3500 , UH 4600 , approved study abroad, internship substitution, UH 3900 , or UH 4010 );
   4. 1 hour, UH 4900 - Honors Thesis Tutorial  (Astronomy or Physics majors take ASTR 4850 /PHYS 4850  - approval required);
   5. 3 hours, UH 4950 - Honors Independent Research  or Creative Project (Astronomy or Physics majors take ASTR 4900 /PHYS 4900  - approval required);
4. have a minimum overall 3.25 GPA.

An engraved University Honors College medallion is awarded upon the completion of the honors thesis. Students who earn an Honors Associate will not receive the designation as ‘Graduated from the University Honors College’ on their transcript and diploma. However, completing an Honors thesis can help make students more competitive when applying to graduate school.

Honors Minors

Students who intend to complete the requirements to graduate through the University Honors College (29 hours) will add the Honors Minor to their overall degree requirements. Students who intend to complete an Honors Associate option will add the Honors Associate Minor (15 hours). 

Students who receive the Buchanan, Transfer Fellow, or special Honors four-year scholarships will have the applicable Honors minor added to their program of study at the point of entry into the Honors College. Other students will add the Honors Minor (or the Honors Associate Minor) when they enroll in an upper-division Honors course (such as UH 3000, 3200, 3500, 4010, 4600, or 4900). The Honors College will send a list of names to the Records office in order for the Honors minor to be added to their program of study.

Additional minors or hours may be needed to fulfill University graduation requirements. Students must consult their major advisors. Students choosing to complete an Honors Minor must meet with an Honors College Advisor to complete the Honors upper-division form for their appropriate Honors Minor and to obtain a signature from the Honors College.

Departmental or School Honors Offerings

Honors sections are offered in the following schools or departments:

Honors students may receive a limited number of Honors credit in non-Honors courses under special circumstances (see Honors).

The Honors Living and Learning Center

Students who enroll in at least one 3-hour Honors class per semester qualify for residence in the Honors College Living and Learning Community in Lyon Hall. MTSU Housing and Residential Life has worked with the Honors College to create a total learning environment that unites the education and the residential experiences. Lyon Hall, located in the historic section of campus, is home to a diverse group of students from all academic disciplines and includes both Honors and non-Honors students. Lyon Hall includes Miss Mary and McHenry Halls and can house 236 students. Qualifying students may request residency on a first-come, first-served basis and may request a specific roommate. Amenities include

• computer lab
• resident assistant on each floor
• meeting rooms and study rooms with carrels
• service-learning classroom
• floor lounges
• community kitchens and laundry facilities on every floor
• activities and programs to encourage community and academic growth
• blue bus route transports students to the Paul W. Martin Sr. Honors Building with pickup every 5 to 10 minutes

Publications

The Honors College publishes a semiannual honors news magazine Arete´; Collage, an arts and literary magazine that accepts poetry, short stories, short plays, song lyrics, photography, art, video and film, and audio; and Scientia et Humanitas, an undergraduate and graduate research journal that accepts essays in natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities.

Scholarships

The Honors College offers Buchanan Fellowships to 20 incoming freshmen a year, Honors Transfer Fellowships to 30 incoming transfer students a year, and additional achievement scholarships to MTSU undergraduates who have distinguished themselves in Honors courses. Other academic and study abroad scholarships are open to active Honors students.

Study Abroad and Internships

The Honors College offers Honors signature programs abroad, as well as provides support for a variety of additional study abroad opportunities. Students wishing to receive Honors credit must complete an Honors Study Abroad Intent Form and meet with representatives of the MTSU Education Abroad Office and the Honors College advisor prior to the trip. A maximum of 9 hours from approved study abroad programs can be applied towards an Honors Minor requirement.

Students may request to use internship credits towards the Honors Minor requirements. Internships must count for college credit and show on the official MTSU transcript in order to substitute for Honors requirements. Students must request approval prior to the start of the internship by submitting an Internship Credit Substitution Request form to an Honors College advisor.

Once final grades have been submitted for the internship, the credits will be evaluated by an Honors College advisor to determine if the earned credits will substitute for lower- or upper-division honors requirements. A maximum of six hours will substitute for Honors requirements. If the internship is graded on an A to F scale, the student must earn a B- or higher in order for the internship credits to substitute for Honors requirements.

Undergraduate Fellowship Office

The Honors College is home to the Undergraduate Fellowship Office, which aids students interested in applying for Fulbright, Gilman, Goldwater, Truman, Marshall, National Defense, NSF REU’s, and other national and international scholarships.