Honors Students

Missouri State University

Do you accept transfer students in your Honors Program/College?

Yes! We have an accelerated path that transfer students can pursue.

How do transfer students apply to your Honors Program/College?

Transfer students may apply for admission to the Honors College following admission to the University. Applicants must submit a completed application form, a statement of purpose, a writing sample, and a recommendation letter from a faculty instructor.  Applications for admission will be reviewed in January and July and qualified candidates will be offered admission on a space available basis.

What are your criteria for selection?

We place a strong emphasis upon the statement of purpose, the writing sample, and the recommendation letter. There is not a minimum GPA requirement, but the most competitive applications will have a 3.50 or higher GPA.

How selective is your program?

We admit students on a space available basis, but in most years we are able to accommodate qualified applicants.

Does your Honors Program/College offer a seminar or track specific to transfer students? How do you support transfer students in your program?

The Accelerated Honors Program was designed to meet the needs of transfer students (keep reading for requirements).

Do you offer honors-specific scholarships to transfer students?

  • Transfer Honors Scholarship: $3,500 annually. Associate’s degree with 3.50 or higher or 24 credits with a 3.65 or higher.
  • Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship: $1,000 annually. Must be an active member of Phi Theta Kappa. May be combined with other scholarship opportunities.
  • Dr. Larry L. George Scholarship: $500 annually. Need based scholarship.
  • George Family Scholarship: $500 annually. Need based scholarship.
  • Dr. Worth R. Miller Scholarship: $500 annually. Awarded to a history major in good standing in the Honors College.

Does your institution offer a Phi Theta Kappa scholarship?

Yes – $1,000 per year, renewable once (so for a total of 2 years at MSU)

What are your Honors Program/College completion requirements?

The Accelerated Honors Program (minimum 19 credit hours) is designed for students who enter the Honors College with 30 or more completed credit hours. The program includes a primary emphasis upon the completion of major requirements and the production of a final distinction project in six or fewer semesters.

Students must complete the following requirements:

  1. Completion of one of the following Honors elements: Transfer students and MSU students admitted to the Honors College after completing GEP 101 First-Year Foundations must complete one General Honors course or one Honors Experiential Learning course of their choice.
  2. UHC 397 Honors Colloquia (3 hours): This course is normally completed during junior year (3-4 semesters prior to graduation). Students select Colloquia from a menu of 6-8 interdisciplinary courses offered each fall and spring. When appropriate, this course may be cross-listed with departmental offerings (e.g. UHC 397/HST 397).
  3. UHC 410 Senior Honors Seminar (3 hours): This course is normally completed during senior year (1-2 semesters prior to graduation). Students select a Seminar from a menu of 6-8 discipline based courses offered each fall and spring. When appropriate, this course may be cross-listed with departmental offerings (e.g. UHC 410/BIO 494).
  4. Distinction in the Major (minimum 12 credits): Students must complete a minimum of 12 hours of honors course work in their major, including a minimum of 3 hours of UHC 499 Honors Distinction Project. Students may propose appropriate combinations of the following courses:
    1. UHC 396 Honors Independent Study (1-3 hours); This course may stand alone or be combined as a component with an existing major course (e.g. PSY 411 + UHC 396 = 4 HONR credits)
    2. UHC 398 Honors Undergraduate Research (1-3 hours); This course may stand alone or be combined as a component with an existing major course (e.g. CHM 542 + UHC 398 = 4 HONR credits).
    3. UHC 499 Honors Distinction Project (3-4 hours); This course may stand alone or be cross-listed with departmental offerings when appropriate (e.g. UHC 499/BIO 498).
  5. Students must complete a course and distinction project proposal under the guidance of a faculty member in their major department. The proposal must be approved by the Department Head for the major and by the Director of the Honors College before a student may register for honors course sections. Distinction proposals must be approved prior to the beginning of a student’s senior year.
  6. The Honors Distinction Project must be submitted to the Honors College on the final day of classes prior to a student’s graduation.

Students who complete all Accelerated Honors Program requirements and earn a final institutional GPA of 3.25 or higher are eligible to graduate from the Honors College after they satisfy all other University degree requirements. Final transcripts and diplomas will include the notation “Bachelor of _______ (with possible grade point honors such as cum laude, magna cum laude, summa cum laude) in the Honors College with Distinction in ______.”

Do you accept community college honors course credit or experiences toward completion of your Honors Program/College?

Students who have completed course work in honors programs/colleges may be able to apply previous honors course work towards Honors College requirements.

When do you recommend applying?

Transfer students may apply for admission to the Honors College following admission to the University. Fall start applicants will be reviewed in July. MSU opens applications as early as August in the year before you start at MSU, and it is recommended that you finish applying before the spring semester begins to be eligible for scholarships.

Who is the best contact for transfer students looking to learn more about your program?

honorscollege@missouristate.edu