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SOU inaugurated a new honors program in fall term 2007. Students who were enrolled in previous programs were automatically admitted to the new program and may pursue any of the three honors options described below.

The SOU Honors Program offers a unique partnership of programs across campus and is designed to provide students with a comprehensive intellectual experience both in and out of the classroom. The program seeks to stimulate intellectual excitement and instill leadership qualities in students that will prepare them for careers, community service, and active citizenship.

Honors coursework emphasizes disciplinary and multidisciplinary perspectives and argumentation. To this end, the program offers a specially designed honors curriculum providing enriched exposure to scholarly and creative work.

The program culminates in a senior thesis or creative project that allows students to select an issue or question to address from their major field of study. Students demonstrate their understanding of how their major area researches and addresses questions, as well as their discipline’s connection to other areas.

Honors Options

Graduation with University Honors and Honors in a Specific Major

Graduating with University honors and honors in a specific major is an option for honors scholars who have completed all three components of the Honors Program: a required number of honors courses, four approved community-based learning activities, and a senior thesis or creative project in the scholar’s major area. A minimum of 40 credits is required.

1. Complete a minimum of 21 credits of honors coursework (consisting of six to eight courses) ideally spread across University Studies strands and/or other offerings, as available.
2. Complete 3 credits of Seminars (HO 250  , HO 251  , HO 252  ) aimed at developing skills for constructing valid arguments, detecting errors in reasoning, and exploring varieties of reasoning.  These skills prepare students for the composition of rationales for reporting in all modes of research.
3. Complete 4 credits of practicum (HO 209  and HO 409 ), including a minimum of 1 credit at the upper division level. Scholars document each approved community-based learning activity by completing 1 credit of HO 209  or HO 409 . Only activities with a significant leadership component will qualify for HO 409  credit.
4. Completion of a senior thesis or creative project as specified by the major area, requiring at least 12 credits of research, thesis, and/or other appropriate coursework as determined by that major.

Graduation with University Honors

Graduating with University honors is an option for honors scholars who have completed the first two components of the Honors Program but did not complete a senior thesis or creative project in their major area. A minimum of 40 credits is required.

1. Complete a minimum of 33 credits of honors coursework (9 to 12 courses), ideally spread across University Studies strands and/or other offerings, as available.
2. Complete 3 credits of Seminars (HO 250  , HO 251  , HO 252  ) aimed at developing skills for constructing valid arguments, detecting errors in reasoning, and exploring varieties of reasoning. These skills prepare students for the composition of rationales for reporting in all modes of research.
3. Complete 4 credits of practicum (HO 209  and HO 409), including a minimum of 1 credit at the upper division level. Scholars document each approved community-based learning activity by completing 1 credit of HO 209  or HO 409 . Only activities with a significant leadership component will qualify for HO 409 credit.

Graduation with Honors in a Specific Major

Programs may elect to offer a standalone honors option for majors who complete a senior thesis or creative project requiring at least 12 credits of research, thesis, and/or other appropriate coursework as determined by that major, essentially completing only the third component of the Honors Program. This option is not restricted to honors students.

Becoming an Honors Student or Scholar

Students beginning their studies at SOU who enter with exceptionally strong high school or transfer work will be automatically admitted as honors students. Students may also be admitted to the program and earn the designation of honors student based upon the recommendation of an honors instructor. To qualify for automatic admittance, students must meet one of the following criteria:

1. a minimum high school GPA of 3.6
2. a minimum combined total of 1200 from the critical reading and mathematics SAT sections, with a minimum score of 500 in each section
3. a minimum combined ACT score of 27, with a minimum score of 22 in both math and English
4. a minimum transfer GPA of 3.6 (based on at least 36 quarter credits)

Within one year of becoming honors students, they should complete at least one honors course, identify their interest in the Honors Program, and develop their honors plan. Honors students earn the designation of honors scholars when they have an approved plan on file with the Honors Office.