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Honors Program

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Frequently Asked Questions

This section answers common questions about the Honors Program, including the application and admission process, the program, Honors benefits and Honors courses. If you have additional questions, please contact us.

The Application and Admission Process

Program Description

Benefits

Honors Courses

Other Questions

The Application and Admission Process

Who is eligible to apply to the Honors Program?
We are looking for students who are bright, self-motivated and leaders in their high schools and communities. Students who receive a composite score of 27 on the ACT or 1200 (combined verbal and math) on the SAT, are in the top 10 percent of their high school classes and have demonstrated extracurricular involvement in school and community activities are strongly encouraged to apply.

What if I do not meet all the criteria?
We do not judge applicants solely on the stated criteria of the program. The application gives you the opportunity to provide further information about your experiences and background, which will help us evaluate your likelihood of success in the program. We encourage you to contact us and discuss your specific situation.

I go to a private school that does not participate in class ranking. What should I do?
We still require some form of ranking in order to evaluate your application. Please have your counselor or school administrator contact us to provide an estimate of your rank.

How do I apply?
All application materials are on our Web site. A completed application (which must be filled out online, then printed and signed), two academic references (using the required form), an applicant disclosure form and a copy of high school and college transcripts are required.

Is there a cost for the application or a university fee for participation in the program?
No.

When should I apply?
Complete applications will be processed within two-to-three weeks and are accepted any time before the priority deadline. Applications will be accepted after that date, space permitting.

Program Description

What is the “Honors experience” all about?
The “Honors experience" is intended to provide academically talented students with opportunities to enrich their educational experience at ASU both inside and outside the classroom. Enrichment activities include our HIST 1301 course taking a trip to San Antonio to visit the Institute of Texan Cultures, class debates on course-related material and paid attendance at cultural events.

What are the program options?
There are two major curriculum tracks, Option One and Option Two. Option One students are required to complete 27 credit hours (10-11 classes) of Honors coursework. Option Two students complete 18 hours (6-7 classes). Usually, students who have 18 or more pre-existing college credit hours when they arrive at ASU are better candidates for Option Two. Option One students graduate with “highest university honors” while Option Two students graduate with “high university honors.”  Another difference between the two tracks is that Option Two students only receive 50 percent of the Honors Scholarship. There is also an Honors Thesis Option, which is available to either Option One or Option Two students.

Is the program limited to only certain majors?
We built the Honors Program around the core curriculum, so there is no reason why any undergraduate student could not be an Honors student. We are represented by students in every department on campus and nearly every major.

What GPA is required to stay in the program?
A 3.25 cumulative grade point average is required to stay in the program. A student who falls below the required GPA may be eligible for a probationary period to improve his or her GPA.

What do I have to do to graduate as an Honors student?
You must take the courses in the Honors Program curriculum track that you are pursuing (Option One or Option Two). Additionally, you must have at least a 3.25 cumulative GPA.

Will my AP credits and transfer credits count towards my Honors requirements?
With the exception of students who enter the ASU Honors Program after graduation from a community college that is a member of the Great Plains Honors Council (GPHC) or National Collegiate Honors Council (NCHC), no pre-existing college credits will count toward your Honors Program course requirements. If you have 18 or more college credit hours, the Option Two curriculum track may be a better fit for you. Each student will complete an Honors Degree Planning Form that is tailored to the student’s area of study. No previous college coursework will have to be repeated to satisfy Honors requirements.

What are Honors students like?
Honors students are a highly diverse group, not just in majors, but also in backgrounds, nationality, ethnicity, race, personality, interests, etc. Honors Program students come from the same geographical areas that non-Honors students come from. As a result, they have the same basic values and attitudes as students that are not in the Honors Program. Honors students are as fully a part of college life as is possible. They take a mix of Honors and non-Honors courses and they find their friends and roommates both within and outside the Honors Program.

Will I be able to participate in sports or other extra-curricular activities on campus and still be in the Honors Program?
Absolutely. While we do have a strong focus on academics, we want our students to have a well-rounded undergraduate experience. Honors students have always been involved in, and are often leaders of, extra-curricular activities all over campus. Honors students compete on athletic teams and others are dancers, artists, actors, mathematicians and scientists. Many are heavily involved in student government, clubs, musical groups, sororities, ROTC, the campus newspaper and residence hall activities. Time management skills are essential, but being involved in Honors does not prohibit students from any activities that they choose to pursue.

Can I do an internship or study abroad if I am in the Honors Program?
Yes. We strongly encourage our students to seek out opportunities to study and learn outside the classroom and in less conventional arenas, such as the Washington Center. Honors students can also receive Honors credit and scholarships for internships or study abroad.

Benefits

What are the advantages of being an Honors student?
There are numerous benefits to being a student in the Honors Program. Students get to register as seniors during registration. Honors students also get to know professors in their Honors courses better. This will help when it comes to providing letters of reference or selecting students for awards or projects. Students in the program also have the option of living in the Honors-designated residence hall. We provide peer mentors to every incoming student in the Honors Program to help them with their transition to Angelo State University. Related to this is the fact that the Honors Program provides personalized academic and career advising that has helped students identify what it is that they want to do once they graduate from ASU. Students also have 24/7 access to the Honors Lounge. This can be a particularly useful benefit when it comes to finishing a project or studying for a test. Finally, students have the opportunity to apply for travel grants to attend Honors conferences and participate in course-related field trips.

Are there Honors scholarships available?
Yes. Every Honors student can receive an Honors Scholarship after their first full year in the Honors Program. Option One students must complete at least eight Honors hours in order to be eligible to receive a scholarship. Option Two students take fewer hours than Option One students; therefore, Option Two students receive 50 percent of the scholarship amount given to Option One students. The Honors Scholarship requires students to be active members of the Honors Student Association (HSA).

Is there an Honors residence area?
Yes. Honors students create living-learning communities with designated, premier space in Texan Hall, one of our most popular residence halls. Students wishing to reside in the Honors-designated section of Texan Hall should contact Residential Programs to request Honors housing.

Honors Courses

What is the major difference between a collegiate Honors course and a high school Honors course?
Collegiate Honors courses stimulate your thinking; they use provocative and innovative materials covering central concepts and cutting edge explorations, ranging from the classics to the ultra-hip; and they provide the informal, small-class environment that encourages discussion and debate on important topics. Collegiate Honors courses also offer extensive experiences outside of the classroom. Another major difference here at Angelo State University is that students may take any course for Honors credit by taking it as an approved Honors contract course.

Are Honors courses more difficult?
Honors courses are designed to be different, but not more difficult than a regular section of the same course. The difference between Honors classes and regular classes is not the amount of work assigned, but rather, how a subject is approached. Honors classes often take a much more in-depth look at the subject matter. Honors classes are usually smaller, taught by top faculty, limited to students with superior academic abilities, and emphasize class discussions rather than lectures. Honors students must be well-prepared for class, which makes the educational experience even better.

Will my GPA suffer if I take Honors classes?
An analysis of Honors course GPAs quickly reveals that there is little or no difference between the GPA of an Honors course and a regular section of the same course. Quite often, the GPA of an Honors course is actually higher than that of the regular section. The strong support system within the Honors Program, the smaller classes and greater interaction with professors all help our students perform well academically.

How will my Honors work be recognized on my transcript?
All Honors classes, including contract classes, are designated on your transcript. Therefore, anyone who sees your transcript can tell how much Honors work you have completed.

Can I take an Honors class if I am not in the Honors Program?
Yes, with instructor or Honors Program Director approval, and depending on space available. Honors students have priority enrollment in these courses. A typical reason for allowing a student to enroll in an Honors course is that they meet (or nearly meet) Honors admissions requirements or they are pursuing a degree in the department that is offering the Honors course.

What is a course by contract?
When a student wishes to take a course for Honors credit, the student and professor decide what modifications will be made to regular course requirements to satisfy an Honors course contract. Typically, students will do a research project or paper, expanding or enhancing what is already in the course syllabus. Some professors may require regular meetings with the students to discuss course concepts or readings. All Honors contracts will be approved by the Honors Program Director. When the contract is completed, the professor will certify that all requirements have been met.

What Honors classes are offered?
See Course Offerings for a full list of Honors classes.

Other Questions

Will participation in the Honors Program help me get a job or get into graduate or professional schools?
Yes. There is good evidence that it can be an asset for your future. As an Honors student, you will be identified as possessing not only superior academic abilities, but also as having the commitment and motivation to take on challenging work. Honors students are eagerly sought by employers and preferred for admission to graduate and professional schools. Your Honors research projects will provide you with graduate-level research experience and prove your ability to work independently at an advanced level.

Who advises Honors students?
Honors students are first advised by their Honors departmental academic advisors and then by Mr. Richard Jones, the Honors advisor in the Center for Academic Excellence. The departmental academic advisor ensures the student is on track with the degree requirements and the Honors advisor ensures the student is taking Honors coursework as scheduled on the Honors Degree Planning Form.

Why do some students drop out of the program?
Some students leave the program because their life goals change once they enroll in college. Other students do not believe the program is relevant to them. Still others have work, family or other activities that detract from their ability to fulfill the requirements of the program.

If I do not want to join the program immediately, is it possible to join later?
We do offer a Spring Admission Program. Freshmen and some sophomores who achieve a GPA of 3.25 or higher at the end of the fall semester will be invited to apply. The deadline for spring admission is in early March. A major disadvantage to applying later is that the student will not receive the Honors Scholarship until after the first full year in the program, which for a true freshman would not be unti ltheir third year at ASU.

How do I reach the Honors Program staff?
We welcome and encourage you to contact us by phone, e-mail, fax or by requesting information online.