Honors College

Honors College Program Learning Outcomes:

1. Integration: Honors students will be able to integrate concepts and methodologies from a range of diverse disciplines and viewpoints through their participation in Honors seminars
2. Research: Honors students will engage in research, using appropriate disciplinary and scholarly skills to produce a senior thesis
3. Critical thinking: Honors students will continually develop their ability to think critically and independently by actively engaging in discussions of complex issues throughout the Honors curriculum
4. Communication: Honors students will communicate clearly and precisely in multiple formats including written prose, verbal exposition, and audio/visual projects.
5. Community Engagement: Honors students will engage in activities that promote civic mindedness, global citizenship, and the stewardship of our natural environment.

Honors seminars are capped at sixteen students, fostering close interaction with faculty and peers. There are also special sections of departmental offerings in chemistry, computer science, earth science, economics, mathematics, music, psychology, sociology, engineering, and physics. These courses are restricted to Honors students and are considerably smaller than regular departmental classes. Additionally, Honors students are routinely invited to join outstanding researchers in their laboratories or pursue independent studies with acclaimed scholars and artists in a variety of fields. 

Extending the dynamic energy that is at the core of all Honors classes, students also engage in social activities that further their personal and intellectual growth. Each academic year begins with a two-day excursion for incoming freshmen into the beautiful Hyalite Canyon, where students participate in vigorous hikes, book discussions, community building, and faculty presentations.

Students are encouraged to participate in service opportunities on campus and beyond, many of which are made available through the Honors College. Special lectures and symposia are also featured throughout the year. 

The Honors College provides assistance and guidance to students applying for major national and international scholarships. Our students enjoy an exceptional record of achieving such awards, and many go on to pursue research grants and fellowships at top graduate, medical, veterinary and law schools.

Students may graduate from the university with a degree in their major field plus an Honors Baccalaureate degree and distinctive medallion bearing the President's seal, which are both received during the Honors College commencement ceremony.

Watch the video below for Dr. Lee's advice on applying to the Honors College!

News

Two MSU students win NSF GRF fellowships
April 17, 2025

The sought-after five-year fellowship provides three years of financial support, including an annual stipend of $37,000, along with an education allowance for tuition and fees.

MSU college honors top faculty, staff and students
April 8, 2025

The College of Letters and Science annual awards ceremony will be held at 5 p.m. Tuesday, April 22, in the MSU Alumni Foundation Great Room.

MSU to host talk by Dalia Mogahed on April 3
April 2, 2025

Mogahed, an author, policy advocate, researcher, pollster and consultant who studies Muslim communities, will give a talk Thursday, April 3, at MSU.

Two MSU students named Goldwater scholars
April 1, 2025

Juniors Anna Erickson and Derek Jollie are MSU’s two newest winners of Barry Goldwater scholarships honoring undergraduate research in STEM fields. MSU is a national leader in Goldwater recipients.

Richard Badenhausen selected as Honors dean
March 31, 2025

Since 2017, Badenhausen has been dean of the Honors College at Westminster University. He will begin his new position at MSU in July.