The Honors College

Director:  Julie E. Samuels
Telephone:  620-235-4183
Office:  112K Hughes Hall
e-mail:  jsamuels@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. 

   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.  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. 

   Honors College members are a carefully screened select group of scholars. Freshmen, to be eligible for application, must have a 28 ACT composite or equivalent, a minimum 3.50 (unweight­ed) high school grade point average on a four point scale. Students with lower than a 30 ACT compos­ite score need to demonstrate outstanding academic records to be seriously considered for Honors College acceptance. 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 applicants  is February 1.

   Application packets may be obtained on-line at http://www.pittstate.edu/academics/honors/.

   A number of students who are selected for the Honors College each year receive scholarships as well as the opportunity to participate in Honors programs. Presidential Scholars receive an academic scholarship in the amount of $9,500 per year with a one-time study abroad stipend of $2,000.  University Scholars receive an academic scholarship in the amount of $4,500 per year with a one-time study abroad stipend.  These scholarships are renewable annually provided the student maintains a full-time PSU enrollment, active participation in Honors,  and a 3.40 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.