The University Honors program is designed to deepen and enrich your undergraduate experience, helping you make the most of your time at App State. Most students complete the program over four years by taking about one Honors course per semester. Each element of the program is crafted to expand your academic and personal horizons.
University Honors program requirements (24 credits)
Interdisciplinary Honors Seminars (9 credits)
Engage with small groups of academically curious students from across all majors. These seminars are led by passionate faculty who teach subjects they love and often count toward general education requirements. It’s a chance to explore big ideas in a dynamic, discussion-based environment.
Senior Honors Thesis (3 credits)
Build a one-on-one mentoring relationship with a faculty expert in your area of interest. Work alongside your mentor to conduct original research or creative work, gaining confidence and skills that will serve you well beyond graduation.
Additional Honors Coursework (12 credits, 3 of which must be in your major)
Earn Honors credits in classes you’re likely already planning to take—whether in general education, your major, or your minor—by exploring the material in greater depth. You can enroll in Honors-designated sections, create Honors contracts, or even count graduate-level coursework, allowing you to tailor your experience to your interests and goals.
International Education Experience
Most students fulfill this requirement through study abroad, which strengthens cultural understanding and expands your global perspective. If studying abroad isn’t feasible, you can meet this requirement through globally focused Honors seminars or by incorporating an international theme into your thesis.
Graduation Requirements
To graduate with University Honors, students must complete all program components with a grade of B or higher, a minimum 3.45 overall GPA and a 3.45 GPA in Honors coursework at the time of graduation.
Modifications for students entering with significant credit
If you’re entering Appalachian with 45 or more earned credits, you may qualify for our Upper Division University Honors pathway. This option reduces the additional Honors coursework requirement to just 3 credits, bringing the total program requirement to 15 credits. It’s designed to reflect the reality that students with significant prior credit often have fewer opportunities to complete Honors courses through general education. Despite the reduced credit load, this pathway offers the same enriching experiences and fits seamlessly into a more condensed three-year academic timeline.
See the University Bulletin for detailed descriptions of University Honors and Upper Division University Honors requirements.