The Honors College

University Honors

Our University Honors program requires 24 Honors credits, with credits counting towards Honors only if the Honors course grade is a B or higher. For a student who plans to be at App for four years, this is, on average, one 3-credit Honors course per semester. Specifically, the University Honors Program requires the following, all achieved with a grade of B higher:

• Three 3-credit interdisciplinary Honors seminars, each of which can count towards general education requirements. These courses are offered each fall and spring semester and in the summer as faculty-led study abroad courses.
• One 3-credit Senior Honors Thesis, which can be taken as a course in your major discipline if that discipline offers departmental Honors.
• Three credit-hours of Honors coursework in your major (typically one course). Many majors offer Honors sections of required coursework. Honors students can also use honors contracts to fulfill this requirement.
• Nine credit-hours of additional Honors coursework (typically three courses). Most Honors students fulfill this requirement through a mix of Honors sections of general education courses and Honors sections of courses in their major and minor, including up to two honors contracts. Additionally, any graduate coursework taken as an undergraduate is considered Honors coursework and students who are not taking Honors seminars abroad will still have ½ the credits they earn abroad transfer back as honors credits. 
• An International Education experience, which most Honors students fulfill through education abroad. If studying abroad isn’t feasible, students can complete this requirement through globally-focused Honors seminars or incorporating international themes into their thesis.
• A 3.45+ overall GPA and a 3.45+ Honors GPA at the time of graduation.

See the University Bulletin for additional details.

Upper Division Honors

Our Upper Division Honors program is designed for students who are entering Honors with 45-70 earned college credits and requires students to earn 15 Honors credits as part of the program. For a student who plans to be at App for two and a half years, this is, on average, one 3-credit Honors course per semester. Specifically, the Upper Division Honors Program requires:

• Three 3-credit interdisciplinary Honors seminars, each of which can count towards general education requirements. These courses are offered each fall and spring semester and in the summer as faculty-led study abroad courses.
• One 3-credit Senior Honors Thesis, which can be taken as a course in your major discipline if that discipline offers departmental Honors.
• Three credit-hours of additional Honors coursework (typically one course). Most Honors students fulfill this requirement through an Honors course in general education, an Honors course in their major or minor, or an honors contract.  Additionally, any graduate coursework taken as an undergraduate is considered Honors coursework and students who are not taking Honors seminars abroad will still have ½ the credits they earn abroad transfer back as honors credits. 
• An International Education experience, which most Honors students fulfill through education abroad. If studying abroad isn’t feasible, students can complete this requirement through globally-focused Honors seminars or incorporating international themes into their thesis.
• A 3.45+ overall GPA and a 3.45+ Honors GPA at the time of graduation.

See the University Bulletin for additional details.

International Education Requirement

The Honors College’s international education requirement encourages students to explore global interconnectedness by engaging with different cultures and worldviews. As part of this experience, students should:

• Cultivate a holistic approach to global engagement, integrating intellectual, cultural, and social dimensions.
• Develop cultural competence and humility by understanding and valuing differences to build inclusive communities and tackle global challenges.
• Reflect on your interactions with diverse cultures and how these experiences have contributed to your personal, academic, and professional growth.

While students do not need to complete a study abroad experience to fulfill the International Education requirement, the Honors College encourages all students to strongly considering this option. Visit the Office of International Programs (OIP) to explore study abroad options and take the Study Abroad 101 workshop, meet with an academic mentor to discuss how study abroad options aligning with your goals, and ask an academic mentor about funding opportunities such as the Honors College International Education Scholarship, OIP scholarships, and other nationally competitive scholarships. If studying abroad isn't feasible, students can talk to their academic mentors about fulfilling this requirement in other ways. 

All approved International Education activities must be credit-bearing. Examples include: 

• App State approved semester or summer study abroad experience
• App State faculty-led study abroad program
• App State sponsored service-learning abroad experience or research abroad experience combined with at least one credit of HON 3500 Independent study to academically prepare for or reflect on the experience. 
• Globally-focused Honors College 2515 or 3515 seminars designated as meeting the IE requirement in the schedule of classes
• HON 3500 Independent Study connected to non-credit travel experience arranged with approval of the Honors College Dean
• An Honors Thesis incorporating international themes arranged with approval of the Honors College Dean

Progression Requirements

Students who are averaging fewer than three Honors credits per semester and who are in their second consecutive (fall/spring) semester without taking an Honors course may struggle to complete their Honors requirements. Honors students must also maintain high academic standards. To stay on track, it is recommended that students strive to reach the following GPA benchmarks:

• Freshman Year: 3.0+
• Sophomore Year: 3.15+
• Junior Year: 3.3+
• Senior Year: 3.45+

To remain in good standing with the Honors College, students who are not meeting the Honors credit or GPA benchmarks above must meet with their academic mentor to develop a plan to get back on track with their Honors requirements and continue to meet with their academic mentor to assess progress and adjust the plan until they are again meeting the credit-hour and gpa benchmarks. 

Leaving the Honors College

A student may request to be uncoded as an Honors College student at any time. Click here if you are currently an Honors student and would like to request removal from the Honors College. 

Latin Honors

Click here for information on graduating with Latin Honors: Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, or Summa Cum Laude. These distinctions are offered through the Registrar's Office, not the Honors College.