University Honors Program

Continuing Wright State students and transfer students with a GPA of 3.0 or better are eligible to participate.

The Honors Program is also interested in students who may not quite meet these qualifications but who bring some special contribution or determination to the program. Such students will be permitted to enroll in selected honors courses where they can demonstrate that they merit full participation.

The Honors curriculum offers three types of undergraduate courses: most general education courses are presented in special Honors sections; popular introductory courses in certain majors are offered as Honors courses; and special interdisciplinary courses are offered for sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Honors students also pursue special programs of study in their majors, usually in their junior or senior year. These programs involve independent study with a faculty mentor and culminate in a research report, design project, or senior thesis. Each department, college, or school has its own admissions and performance criteria, which are available for review in the Honors office.

Students may graduate with one of three Honors designations by completing one of the following sets of requirements:

1. To graduate with the distinction "University Honors Scholar," students must:
   1. complete eight Honors courses with grades of B or better, including: (a) at least one course from the UH 201, 202, 203 sequence; (b) at least three courses that are classified as General Education courses (these may include UH 201, 202, 203); and (c) at least two interdisciplinary seminars (UH 400).
   2. successfully complete a departmental, school, or college Honors program.
2. To graduate with the distinction "General Studies Honors Scholar," students must complete eight Honors courses (as described above for "University Honors Scholar") with grades of B or better and attain a cumulative GPA of 3.4 or better.
3. To graduate "With Honors" in their major fields, students must complete a departmental, school, or college Honors program.

Students normally complete the Honors Program by taking three Honors courses their first year, three as a sophomore, one as a junior, and one as a senior. However, students are free to take as many or as few courses as their interest and program requirements permit. All Honors courses are designated as Honors on transcripts, and students who complete the program receive special designations on their transcripts and recognition in the commencement program.

The Honors Program also offers opportunities for social, cultural, and leadership development through participation in the Student Honors Association, Service Learning, the Midfleast Honors Association, the National Collegiate Honors Council, and the University Honors Committee. A new 384-bed Honors Community residence hall opened in the fall of 2002. It features a faculty member in residence, a classroom, a 25-station computer lab, a big screen tv, a lounge, and other social and study space. Programming will focus on issues and ideas and allow residents to become involved in service floors or theme floors. The Honors Community also houses services such as computer support (CaTS) and campus security. A convenience store and deli, and a coffee shop, are also located on the premises.

The Honors Program awards scholarships to both incoming and continuing Honors students. Small grants are available for students working on honors projects, and some financial assistance is available for Honors Program students who wish to study abroad. Interested students should contact the Honors Program office for further information and applications: (937) 775-2660, 243 Millett, honors@wright.edu.