Honors Program Facts
- Each year about 1000 undergraduates participate in the Honors Program. Of the over 2000 new students who will enter Wright State this fall, 300 are members of the Honors Program. Most of those 300 will receive some type of Wright State scholarship and about 35 will also have Honors Scholarships.
- Incoming students are expected to take one Honors class each quarter, or a total of three during their first year. Most students earn A's or B's in their Honors classes. About 85% of the grades given in Honors classes are A's and B's. Between 20 and 25 courses are offered for Honors credit each quarter.
- Most of the time, Honors classes meet General Education or major program requirements. The two required interdisciplinary seminars (UH 400) are "extra" courses in some majors, but most students may count those courses as electives.
- Honors students are required to maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 and to take at least two Honors courses their first year. Students who complete the core Honors requirement (six courses) in their first two years are presented with a Sophomore Certificate.
- A lot of different people teach Honors courses. Some are senior faculty members, who are recognized authorities in their fields. Some are lecturers, people who specialize in teaching. Some are adjuncts, people who work only part-time for Wright State University. Adjuncts are often people with unique backgrounds and special expertise. They usually bring real-world experience to the classroom. The things that we hope bring all Honors Faculty together are a love of teaching and a commitment to life long learning. Annually, one faculty member is chosen as "Honors Teacher of the Year."
- Honors students have many social, leadership and service opportunities through the Student Honors Association, the freshman honorary society, Alpha Lambda Delta, and in the Honors Community organizations.
Honors Classes
Honors Classes come in several varieties: Honors sections of General Education classes-western world, English, great books, regional studies, social institutions, fine arts, comparative studies, even math. Honors sections of introductory courses required in many majors-calculus, chemistry, biology, economics, and psychology are also available.These courses cover the same material as the regular sections but in a different way. Enrollment is limited to twenty students, and everyone is encouraged to participate. Honors students write more (essay exams, position papers, and so forth), talk more (class discussions, debates, and presentations), read more (even in calculus), theorize, analyze, and synthesize more. In short, they get more.
Interdisciplinary Honors classes look at important topics from several perspectives. UH 201 examines a topic in the humanistic disciplines; in UH 202 students explore social realities using the tools of the various social sciences and UH 203 examines topics of current interest in the scientific community. The topics for Honors seminars (UH 400) change quarterly and stay abreast of important contemporary issues such as international terrorism, AIDS, computer technology, and baseball in American life. Interdisciplinary Honors courses feature guest speakers, field trips, and class projects. Sometimes it's hard to tell who enjoys them more--the teachers or the students!
Independent Research
Independent Research is featured in most Honors options in the major. Honors students work closely with faculty advisors to produce projects. Doing an Honors project is excellent preparation for graduate or professional school and enhances the portfolio you present to prospective employers. Some research funds are available to support this work.
Special Advising
Special Advising is available for all Honors students. In addition to general academic advising, Honors program staff can provide help in:
Selecting a career
path appropriate for your abilities and interests;
Choosing a graduate
or professional school, applying for admission and fellowships,
assistantships, and so forth;
Designing
an educational plan that meets your personal as well as professional
needs;
Knowing when
personal problems require more than a friendly ear;
Preparing for national and international scholarship
competitions.
Priority Registration & Retention
Priority Registration
Students who indicate on their Honors application that they are working toward graduation with an Honors Program degree are eligible for priority registration. This means that these Honors students will register at the beginning of the registration process. This gives them maximum flexibility in planning their schedules.
Retention
To retain priority registration, students must maintain a 3.0 GPA and complete an average of three Honors courses for each of the first two years. Juniors are expected to take an Honors seminar and to plan for their departmental Honors project. If you are unclear about your priority status, consult with the Honors Program secretary before the registration process begins. Those who fall below this minimal level of participation will receive notice that they are being removed from the list of active students.
University Honors Program Designations
University Honors Scholar
- Complete six Honors courses with a grade of A or B. Three of the six Honors courses must be classified as General Education, one of the three must be chosen from the UH 201 (humanities), 202 (social sciences), and 203 (natural sciences) sequence.
- Complete two UH 400 seminars with a grade of A or B. At least seven are offered each year.
- Successfully complete a departmental, school, or college Honors program. Consult major office for details.
Departmental, School, and College Honors
- Complete the particular requirements of the Honors program in the major. This usually involves a research project that should begin no later than the first quarter of the senior year.
- Consult the Honors Office or the major office in the junior year for details.
General Studies Honors Scholar
- Complete the eight-course requirement as described above for University Honors Scholars.
- Earn a cumulative grade point average of 3.4 or higher.
To remain active in the Honors Program, students need to complete
at least one Honors course per quarter and maintain a 3.0 or higher
GPA. Honors Program achievements are officially noted on the
transcript and in the commencement program.
