Honors Program

Program Information

Honors Program Director Jayci Bash – LB 304 – (435) 865-8451	Faculty & Staff
Academic Coordinator Kyle Bishop – LB 305 – (435) 586-7804	Honors Program Academic Advisor Matthew Burnette – ST 204 – (435) 586-5420
Administrative Assistant Whitney Piñeiro – LB 307 – (435) 865-8292	Website

Overview of Program

The Honors Program gives eligible students the opportunity to graduate with University Honors at the completion of their undergraduate degree at SUU. University Honors is not a major or a minor but an academic program that includes classes that students take when completing requirements for General Education , for a major, for a minor, or as electives.

The Honors Program is open to freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Students must complete an application, and have at least a 3.8 grade point average, a 28 ACT score, or be in the top 10% of their graduating class to be considered for acceptance to the Honors Program. Registration for an honors course requires either admittance to the Honors Program or permission of the Honors Director or the instructor of the course. Students may take more than one honors course each semester. All classes will have a limit of 25 students.

Contact the Honors Office (LB 307, 435-865-8451) for approval to register for honors courses, as well as a list of honors courses for the upcoming semester. You may also contact the Honors Office by email at honors@suu.edu.

Mission

The Honors Program provides enrichment opportunities for exceptionally talented, creative, and academically committed students in a friendly, informal, and interdisciplinary undergraduate experience. The program connects students with SUU’s best faculty through small classes and participation in out-of-class activities.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students learn in a collaborative environment where their ideas and research carry respect. As a community of scholars, students and faculty work enthusiastically to achieve the following objectives:

• Understand complex issues from diverse perspectives;
• Process similarities and differences of how scholars in science, fine arts, humanities, or social science see their world;
• Develop skills in self-expression, critical thinking, information gathering, and problem solving;
• Write analytical or scientific papers of substantial length and depth; and
• Volunteer for service projects both on-campus and in the community.

Additionally, honors students attend colloquia featuring artists, academic leaders, innovators, and political figures. They participate in roundtable discussions and social events with faculty and other honors students.

Graduation with University Honors Requirements

Honors students are required to take the following courses in the designated year:

• HONR 1040 - Foundations of Honors  (year one)
• HONR 2040 - Inquiry and Analysis  (year two)
• HONR 3040 - Application and Dissemination  (year three)

Additionally, students must

• Earn at least a 3.5 overall GPA,
• Earn at least 21 credit hours of honors coursework, and
• Complete an approved honors capstone project.

By completing the requirements listed above, students are eligible for graduation with University Honors. An official designation will be placed on their official university transcript and they will receive special recognition during commencement.