2015-2017 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
The University Honors Program
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Coreen Jackson, Ph.D., Director
Harold M. Love, Sr.
Student Success Center Suite 119
Faculty: J. Anderson, P. Ark, M. Bertrand, S. Browne, C. Codreanu, R. Dixon, T. Duello, A. Ejofor, S. Guha, J. Hall, M. Hull, C. Jackson, L. James, C. Johnson, K. Johnson, T. Johnson, P. Kahlon, M. Karim, L. Lewis, E. Martin, V. Matlock, D.L. McGahey, J. Miglietta, J. McKinney, S. Morgan-Curtis, C. Murillo, C. Okoro, D. Padgett, J.B. Parham, M. Payne, E. Phillips, L. Powers, E. Schmeller, T. Siddiquee, R. Taylor, J. Thompson, M. Zheng.
General Statement: The University Honors Program (UHP) mission is to promote positive and life-long learning, scholarly inquiry, and a commitment to the service of others. This interdisciplinary program is designed for the academically bright and gifted students. Since its inception in 1964, the Honors Program has been a leader in identifying academically-talented students, and maintaining our charge to promote scholarship and provide a stimulating and challenging educational experience that prepares them for global leadership.
From its inception, the primary goal of the Program has been to create and maintain a community of academically bright and talented students who would serve as campus leaders and role models, impacting positively on the University and enhancing the mission of Tennessee State University. The Honors Program at Tennessee State University stresses excellence as a way of life.
The Program: The UHP offers special opportunities for exceptional high school graduates or college students with a record of achievement and a sincere desire to lead and learn. The UHP is designed to offer the academically exceptional student an educational experience that is a step beyond the norm.
Through the Honors curriculum and special programs, gifted students are challenged, stimulated and inspired intellectually to explore their potential and reach new levels of academic excellence. Students are exposed to an advanced curriculum that provides opportunities for critical analysis, creative achievement, intensive research and scholarly thought and spirited exchange with classmates and teachers.
Course Work: UHP course work is concentrated in the freshman and sophomore years, when students will take enriched versions of general education courses. At the junior and senior levels, when students are fully involved in their major area of specialization, courses will be supplemented with interdisciplinary honors colloquia or honors special topics and selected honors courses within the student’s discipline. Before graduation, students are expected to complete a senior thesis through the UHP or the major. The thesis is defended before a committee or a recital for those students in the performing arts. In short, the UHP is directed at students who want to combine the best of liberal education and professional specialization. The Honors Program does not require additional courses beyond those required of other students. Grades awarded in UHP courses coincide with those given for courses in the regular curriculum.
Benefits: While providing the advantages of a growing state university (low cost, vast resources, and cultural diversity), the UHP also harnesses the attractiveness of a liberal arts college (individual attention, small class size, and close interaction with faculty and fellow students).
Other benefits include:
- scholarships designated specifically for honors students
- a variety of social and cultural activities
- challenging courses designed especially for UHP students with limited enrollment
- intellectually-oriented faculty and peers
- domestic exchange to outstanding universities for a semester or year
- opportunities for study abroad
- exposure to special internships and graduate study opportunities
Admission/Retention Requirements: In addition to the general application for admission to the University, the prospective Honors student must also complete the application for admission to the UHP. UHP students traditionally pay dues determined by the Honors Student Council to help defray costs of some student oriented activities.
Entering freshmen making application to the UHP are required to have a 3.4 GPA (4.0 scale) and a 25 on the ACT. The director reserves the right to make decisions about admission to the Program based on a review of the transcript, test scores, courses taken, community service, and letters of recommendation from high school.
Baccalaureate students who do not participate in the UHP as entering freshmen may be admitted later by recommendation of a University faculty member and a 3.4 GPA. The latest point for a student to enter the UHP is the first semester of the junior year.
Freshmen are required to take 24 honors credits, entering sophomores are required to take 18 honors credits, and entering juniors are required to take 12 honors credits to have honors designation on the diploma upon graduation from the university.
To remain in good standing in the UHP, a student must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.25 GPA, based on all course work. A student may withdraw from the Program at any time, but should first notify the Honors office.
Graduation with University Honors: At commencement, students who complete the requirements of the Honors Program will graduate with “University Honors.” They are awarded the Honors senior pin and the scarlet and gold cord at the annual spring Honors Convocation.
These requirements include: 1) taking required Honors courses, UHP approved contract courses may be used to give a regular course an “honors dimension.” 2) giving a recital or writing and defending a senior thesis (some students make substitute an acceptable senior project in the major). The student will select a topic for the Honors thesis with the approval of his or her major advisor and the instructor of the course. The topic may be related to the major field of interest or to a colloquium. Insofar as possible, advisors for the Honors thesis will be members of the Honors faculty. The student will select the topic in his or her senior year and defend it before the Honors Thesis Committee and such other persons who may be invited to sit for the defense, and 3) maintain a cumulative average of at least 3.25 based on all course work.
Honors Courses:
Note:
*Required honors courses. All other honors courses are electives.
Students must take at least 12 honors credits on the 3000/4000 level.
CoursesHonors
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