+ HONORS: Opportunities for Excellence in the CSU Dr. Michelle Hawley Director, Honors College CSU Los Angeles

+ A life-changing academic experience 2

+ What makes Honors special? Common Characteristics of Honors Programs

+ Best Value and Best Choice for Your Best Students CSU emphasis on Access and Excellence! Combines the benefits of a challenging and nurturing liberal arts college experience with the advantages of a comprehensive public University CSU high-quality education far less costly than the average national public university. Pathways to graduate and professional school 4

+ Emphasis on Academics Exceptional faculty committed to teaching Courses that foster intellectual curiosity Emphasis on critical thinking and undergraduate research Emphasis on Interdisciplinarity Honors students attend national conferences! 5

+ Honors Students High-achieving students from all majors who: Reach out for what they need to be competitive Participate in a community of scholars Thrive when they are around supportive, motivated students committed to their education Honors students participate in summer internships. 6

+ Pathway to graduate, professional school and careers Serious attention to preparation for graduate or professional school Close connections with other programs geared towards scholarship, undergraduate research, and pre-professional Assistance with grad school applications Network of honors alumni in business, law, medicine, and academia 7

+ Student Life: A social group within an academic community “You meet people with the same drive, expectations, and goals as you. “ - Moises Olavarietta 8

+ Honors Courses… Expect greater student participation Emphasize discussion and critical thinking Small class sizes Involve more speaking and writing 9

+ Honors Spaces A Space To Study Learning and Living Communities 10 Honors Housing

+ Other Benefits of Honors may include... Special performances, speaking events, and cultural excursions Priority Registration Specialized advisement Recognition at Graduation. Smittcamp Family Honors College Medallion 11

+ Does Honors require... Extra time? NO! Honors students should graduate in 4-5 years, provided they are full-time students and do not change majors multiple times. Extra Coursework? NO! Honors does NOT require additional courses. Many Honors courses Honors meet General Education or major requirements. Extra Effort? YES! Honors Programs may require all students to participate in undergraduate research, community engagement, study abroad, or write senior theses 12

+ Highlights from Honors in the CSU... 13

+ Bakersfield – University Honors Program 4-year GE Program w/ 8 special seminars Entrance Requirements: 3.8 GPA or 1175 SAT (critical reading and math) Honors Lounge Recently received $1m grant Community service and special events 14

+ Chico State – Honors Program Honors in Gen Ed and Honors in Major 450 students involved in 4-year Gen Ed program Entrance Requirement: 3.5 HS GPA, 1200 SAT, or 27 ACT 15

+ Fresno: Smittcamp Honors College Freshman class of 50 President’s Scholarships: 200 total Presiden’t Scholars - Full Tuition plus double occupancy dorm room Requirements: 3.8 HS GPA, 1800 SAT, or top 10% of class Community Service and Senior Honors Project Required Beautiful multi-room honors office w kitchen and lounge Strong record Graduate School placements: UCLA, UC Berkley, Harvard, Yale, Chicago, Stanford, etc

+ Cal Poly SLO University Honors Program 4-5 year program; 530 students Entrance requirements: 1250 SAT or 27 ACT; HS GPA 3.75; or two AP scores of at least 4 Honors housing, honors common area End of year event hosted by President for graduating students honors.calpoly.edu 17

+ CSU East Bay-Honors Program 4 year contract program 120 students Entrance requirements: 3.5 GS GAP and continuing university GPA 3.6 Community service project 18

+ Fullerton: Honors Program 4-year honors program based in general education students total Entrance requirements include 3.5 GPA plus a brief essay and two letters of recommendation Honors Center 19

+ Humanities Honors Program Founded in 1954 as a multidisciplinary team-taught program. Completes ten General Education requirements by accomplishing 24 units of coursework over four semesters. Currently serving approximately 320 lower division students in majors across all colleges. Most successful lower division program for retention and graduation at SJSU. 20

+ Los Angeles: Honors College 4-year Honors College – Freshman and Junior Entry; also Early Entrance Program EEP for students Year-long cohorted Honors core sequences focused on civic engagement and global citizenship; year-long senior project Scholarships: Honors College, President’s Scholars, Edison International Scholars, and more. Serves approximately 250 students lower division students in majors across all colleges. Edison International Honors Center, Honors Advisor, Office for National and International Scholarships, Academic Honors Association, Seminar room honors.calstatela.edu 21

+ Long Beach – Univ. Honors Program 4-year 24 unit program for freshmen; 15 units for Juniors. Fosters intellectual and civic values UHP Thesis Opportunity: Culminating project spanning two semesters. Requirements: 3.5 HSGPA composite SAT UHP Student Association – 22

+ Northridge: Honors Program Four-year Gen Ed program. Approx 600+ students Requirements: 3.5 HS GPA 7-9 Gen Ed Honors courses each semester (lower and upper-division) Living Learning Community in Dorms 23

+ Cal Poly Pomona: Kellogg Honors College : Became College in 2006 Requirements: 3.5+ HS GPA and 620 verbal and math SAT, two essays, letters or recommendation Freshman are required to take 7 honors courses, sophomores 5 and transfers 4 Senior thesis/ Capstone Civic engagement projects as well as social and cultural events honors.calstatela.edu 24

+ Sacramento: Honors Program : Open to freshmen only – cohort of 75 Covers 45 of 51 GE requirements. Three- semester lower-division great books and ideas; three semester upper-division seminar Requirements: 3.5 gpa; SAT 1800 Career networking Dedicated Scholarships 25

+ San Bernardino: Honors Program : Four year program, 38 units for students who begin their freshman year; including senior project Requirements: 3.5 gpa; SAT 1100 (Math and Critical Reading); statement of purpose, letters of recommendation Honors Lounge and Computer Center 26

+ San Diego: University Honors Program 4-year program including approx 550 students Requirements: 3.7 GPA or 1200 SAT 19 units, senior thesis, portfolio, capstone Study abroad requirement Honors minor in Interdisciplinary studies Scholarships to study abroad and for research, scholarly and creative activities 27

+ San Jose: Humanities Honors Program 2-year general education program for students of all majors; approx 300 students Requirements: 3.0 GPA + SAT critical reading 550 Study abroad requirement Honors minor in Interdisciplinary studies Scholarships to study abroad and for research, scholarly and creative activities 28

+ Stanislaus: Honors Program Four year, 40 unit program. Approx. 100 students Requirements: 3850 eligibility index, including 550 SAT critical reading Includes service-learning project Faculty mentors, senior capstone thesis, annual honors conference Emphasis on interdisciplinary research Yosemite trips 29

+ Final thought… “It is a lot of work, but also a wonderful learning experience since you get to learn with the best students and best faculty.” Michael Hsu, Academic Honors Association, President

+ Thank you! 31