Director: Julie E. Samuels
Office: 112K Hughes Hall
Telephone: 620-235-4183
email: jepyle-s@pittstate.edu
The primary mission of the Honors College is to provide a more meaningful educational experience for select superior students. The Honors College curriculum at the freshman-sophomore level offers intellectually stimulating general education courses. The junior-senior level Honors College students become integrated into the Departmental Academic Honors program. The goals of the Honors College are:
First and foremost, the Honors College at Pittsburg State University has the goal of not only attracting high-quality applicants, but also of retaining them as high-achieving students until graduation.
A second goal is to provide educationally enriched experiences (reflected both in and out of the classroom) for the members of PSU's Honors College.
A third goal is to provide a socially responsive, supportive environment to the students in the Honors College whereby members feel personally connected to others throughout the college.
A final goal is to promote a sound start for incoming freshmen as well as transfer students. Freshmen begin bonding from the beginning through overnight orientation experiences (including team-building activities), enrollment in an Honors Freshmen Experience course, and completion of a community service requirement. Transfer students are involved in participating in an Honors College transfer seminar during their first semester of enrollment at PSU which also incorporates a community service requirement.
Honors College members are a carefully screened select group of scholarship recipients. Most enter the program their freshman year after formal application and acceptance. A small number of junior level transfer students are also admitted. Freshmen, to be eligible for application, must have a 28 ACT composite or equivalent, a minimum 3.5000 (un-weighted) high school grade point average on a four point scale, and/or provide proof of adding multi-cultural diversity to the honors program. Students with lower than a 30 ACT composite score need to demonstrate outstanding academic records to be seriously considered for Honors College acceptance. Transfer students must have completed 40 semester hours with a minimum grade point average of 3.7500 on a four point scale or is a Phi Theta Kappa member. A transcript verifying class rank, GPA, ACT, a completed Honors College application form displaying activities and awards, an essay, and recommendation forms comprise the application package. The deadline for high school applicants and transfer students is February 1.
Application packets may be obtained on-line at www.pittstate.edu/admin/vpaa/honorscollege.html, or by contacting Dr. Julie Samuels, Director of the Honors College.
Most Honors College students receive either a Presidential or full tuition scholarship. Presidential scholars receive a full annual scholarship (tuition and fees, a housing stipend, and a book stipend). University scholars and transfer scholars receive a full in-state tuition and fees scholarship and are eligible for other scholarship awards. These scholarships are renewable annually provided the student maintains a 3.4000 grade point average. Honors College graduates receive special recognition at commencement ceremonies and their college transcripts indicate completion of the university and applicable Departmental Academic Honors programs.
Members of the Honors College have the opportunity to enroll in select honors sections of the general education program. Freshman students in the Honors College will automatically be eligible for an honors section of ENGL 190 Honors English Composition. They will also take an honors section of UGS 100 The Freshman Experience during their first semester. Honors sections are generally limited to 25 students, which allows for increased student interaction and course enhancement. Transfer students will enroll in HONOR 100 Honors College Orientation which is a special seminar course designed specifically with the honors transfer student in mind.
HONOR 100. Honors College Orientation. 1 hour. A seminar for transfer students entering the Honors College. Emphasizes goals of the Honors College, assisting with transition to university life, campus resources, and other designated needs of transfer students. Graded on a Pass/Fail basis only. Prerequisite: Admittance to the Honors College as a transfer student.
UGS 100. The Freshman Experience. 2 hours. Development of critical thinking skills is an essential component. Topics covered include development of higher order thinking skills through exposure to a variety of problem solving methods; study skills; a study of the General Education curriculum and objectives of a liberal arts education; career choice and course selection; a discussion of social issues that impact on University life; PSU resources; health, time, and money management issues; and diversity topics. |
