Academic Programs Catalog

Honors course work and departmental academic advising are designed to strengthen individual Honors College members' associations with their respective major departments or schools.

The Dean and staff of the Honors College are responsible for fostering the development of appropriate Honors course work, approving substitutions for university requirements, and for coordinating the system of faculty honors advising throughout the university. They also work directly with Honors College students on many aspects of their programs. Honors College advisors assist students in discovering special opportunities such as research, international engagement, and service to enliven and enrich their undergraduate experiences, in exploring different fields of concentration, in pursuing multiple interests, and in making special arrangements and accommodations to help  students  take  full advantage of  Michigan  State  University's rich resources.

Incoming Students: The Honors College invites prospective Michigan State University students to be members based on outstanding high school achievement, a challenging curriculum, and where provided, nationally standardized test scores. Students who have exhibited a commitment to intellectual curiosity and academic rigor may submit an additional essay and current grades to receive further consideration. Honors College members are expected from the outset to pursue broader and more rigorous programs of study than other first year students.

Current Students: At the beginning of each spring semester, the Honors College will invite applications from the top first-year students in each college (based on cumulative GPA at the end of the fall semester). Invitations to apply will be sent to students’ MSU email accounts through the Confidential Message System maintained by the Office of the Registrar. Completed applications will be reviewed by the Honors College from which new members will be selected. The annual review process that occurs each spring semester will include all students in their first calendar year of study at MSU. The Honors College at MSU is designed as a four-year experience, and current students will only be reviewed for admission during their first year at MSU. Students who decline a membership invitation or who are not invited to membership as part of the annual review process will not be considered in future reviews.  Students who are not invited to Honors College membership may still enhance their educational experience through Honors Options in regular courses or by requesting an override from the offering department into a specific Honors course/section (overrides are granted based on availability and a review of students’ overall academic progress and program). Students may also graduate from the university with honor (top 7-20 percent) or high honor (top 6 percent) designations by meeting cumulative GPA standards, regardless of Honors College membership.

Transfer Students: Admittance to the Honors College is by invitation only. Entering transfer students with distinguished academic records at the prior postsecondary institution (minimum cumulative GPA of 3.7) may submit an admissions application for consideration before matriculating to MSU. Admissions decisions for transfer students are holistic considering the applicant’s academic record, cocurricular involvement and personal statement. Invitations will be sent to students’ MSU email accounts through the Confidential Message System maintained by the Office of the Registrar. Due to the number of semesters ordinarily required to complete the 8 Honors experiences to graduate, students with fewer than 5 semesters remaining in their undergraduate career are ordinarily discouraged from applying. Students who are not invited to Honors College membership may still enhance their educational experience through Honors Options in regular courses or by requesting an override from the offering department into a specific Honors course/section (overrides are granted based on availability and  a review of students’ overall academic progress and program). Students may also graduate from the university with honor or high honor designations by meeting cumulative GPA standards, regardless of Honors College membership.

Continuing Membership: To remain in good standing, Honors College students must maintain a minimum all - university grade-point average of 3.20; demonstrate progress toward completing eight Honors experiences by completing at least three by the end of the second year; and use the enhanced academic resources available.

In fulfilling the expectation for an enriched program of study, a student may use a combination of the various types of Honors opportunities available. Honors College members can enroll in courses without completing listed pre-requisites, freeing them to select from among the university's vast advanced disciplinary course offerings to satisfy the general university requirements. Members may major in any area and participate in Honors experiences as a way to enhance their disciplinary study and broaden their knowledge through disciplinary exploration beyond their intended major(s). Among the many resources available to Honors College members are those described below:

Honors Courses and Sections: These classes aim at a more rigorous examination of the subject matter. They are limited and selective in enrollment.

Honors Options: In many courses, students may earn Honors credit by completing Honors–caliber study with special guidance from the instructor. For current information on which courses are eligible for Honors Option credit, please see honorscollege.msu.edu/faculty/honors-option-authorization.html.

Graduate Courses: Honors College students have the opportunity to enroll in graduate courses with the approval of their advisors and their course instructors. Credit earned in graduate courses is applied toward the student's undergraduate degree unless they obtained prior approval to be dually enrolled and was admitted to a graduate program before enrolling in the courses. Undergraduates may only complete 9 total credits at the undergraduate tuition rate. For more information, refer to the Shared Programs - Undergraduate to Graduate policy in the Graduate Education section of this catalog.

A number of special opportunities are provided to support the mission of the Honors College, namely, the pursuit of academic excellence.

1. Academic Advising: In addition to departmental Honors College advisors, members are served by full–time academic advisors in  Eustace-Cole Hall, who are available by appointment to help with program planning. Honors College advisors approve general education course proposals and keep record of general education substitutions and honors experiences. They can assist with choice of major, and with exploration of possibilities outside members' field of study, such as selection of additional majors, minors or second degrees.
2. Enrollment Priority: In order to implement the academic programs planned by Honors College students and approved by their advisors, the class enrollment system grants rising second year and higher Honors College members enrollment priority in Honors and regular courses. Enrollment priority is especially helpful in gaining admission to upper-level courses and scheduling when only single sections are offered.
3. Honors Research and Independent Study: The Honors College facilitates engagement in undergraduate research and creative scholarship through a number of programs. Students engage in research through the Professorial Assistantship Program, Honors College Research Scholars Program, Honors Research Seminars, independent study, or research appointments with faculty. The Honors College Research Fund provides small grants on a competitive basis to support faculty–sponsored undergraduate research projects.
4. Scholarships: In addition to scholarships awarded by the university to incoming students, Honors College members are eligible to apply for a variety of scholarships administered by the college for continuing students.
5. Co-curricular Opportunities: Honors College students can take advantage of a wide array of student activities and organizations to build connection to the College and important leadership and professional skills. The College also sponsors numerous programs that foster students’ strong relationships with faculty, administrators, and community partners.
6. Graduation Recognition: Graduating members of the Honors College are given special recognition in the commencement program. In addition, an Honors College designation is recorded on their transcript and diploma. The requirements to graduate as a member of the Honors College can be found on the Honors College Web site at https://honorscollege.msu.edu/admissions/graduation-recognition.html.
7. Graduate/Professional School Planning: The Honors College can assist its members in preparing for graduate school applications and fellowship support. The Honors College houses the Distinguished Student Awards Office that serves as the campus liaison office for many major national and international fellowship competitions (e.g., Rhodes, Marshall, Mitchell, Churchill, Goldwater, Hollings, Truman, and Udall). 
8. Eustace-Cole Hall: The Honors College is housed in a historic building conveniently located at the confluence of East and West Circle Drives. In addition to staff offices, this facility provides lounge and study space for members, and rooms for Honors seminars.
9. Honors Housing: The college’s primary residential and social space is Campbell Hall, providing both housing opportunities and programming space for Honors College students. Designated residential housing is also available on special Honors floors within the campus residence hall system. Honors housing provides an academically-oriented living situation conducive to lively social and intellectual exchange.

Michigan State University offers the Academic Scholars Program to students who are not initially invited to join the Honors College. Such students may be interested in pursuing an enrichment program with the goal of joining the Honors College post-matriculation. Participants in this program are required to complete 2 Honors experiences and enroll in a first-year seminar during their first year of study. The program includes a residential option similar to that offered Honors College members. The requirements to graduate as a member of the Academic Scholars Program can be found on the Honors College Web site at honorscollege.msu.edu/programs/academic-scholars-program.html. Students who successfully complete the program and earn a 3.5 cumulative GPA are granted admission to the Honors College.

Questions regarding the Honors College may be addressed to:

Dean, Honors College 
Michigan State University
Eustace-Cole Hall
468 E. Circle Drive, Room 105
East Lansing, Michigan 48824–1041
1-517-355-2326
honors@msu.edu
www.honorscollege.msu.edu