FAQ
Is Honors in college like Honors in high school?
No. In high school, Honors classes consistently have a higher workload than non-Honors courses. That is less true in college, where any 3-hour class (Honors or non-Honors) means you should be spending about six hours per week studying for the class. In college, Honors classes differ from non-Honors ones in that they are smaller, so the work is different (e.g., essays instead of multiple-choice questions). Honors classes also place more of the burden for learning on the student, so they are less likely to be lecture-based.
Does it cost more to belong to the Honors College?
Tuition for Honors courses is the same as for non-Honors courses. Members of the Honors College do pay a $20 activity fee each term that is dedicated to student services.
Are Honors courses more difficult than non-Honors courses?
It is difficult to answer that question since courses across the university vary so much in terms of difficulty. In general, however, Honors courses are not more difficult, but place students in a different learning environment. Since Honors classes are typically small, students interact more and participate in discussions more than they do in non-Honors courses. Overall, two-thirds of Honors students have higher GPAs when their Honors course work is included than when that course work is subtracted from their overall GPA, so generally, Honors students earn higher grades in Honors courses.
Must I take all Honors classes?
Members of the Honors College typically take one to two Honors courses a semester. Many take more because they enjoy them. You only need to take one Honors course per year, however, to stay active in the Honors College.
How can I earn Honors credit?
Students may earn Honors credit in several ways. The most common is to take Honors sections of their core and major courses, but they may also do research, take internships, study abroad, or even do an Honors “contract” where they work with a professor to develop a project to earn Honors credit for a non-Honors course. The various ways of earning Honors credit are detailed in the
Honors Student Handbook.
How does Honors work with my major?
Members of the Honors College can pursue any major (or combination of majors and minors) in the university. Advisors work closely with students to fit the requirements for Honors graduation into the student’s degree plan without adding hours to the degree. Members of the Honors College may also choose to pursue a B.A. in Honors Studies (B.A. in Honors Studies can be found on pg. 13 in the
Honors Handbook).
What GPA do I need to maintain to stay in the Honors College?
Honors students must maintain a minimum 3.25 grade point average. Students whose GPA falls slightly below the 3.25 standard are allowed a probationary period, where they enjoy the benefits of Honors College membership while they work to raise their GPA to the standard.
Is it required to live in Honors housing?
No.
Do I have to apply for the Honors College?
Yes. The application can be downloaded from the Honors website (www.utsa.edu/honors), under the Students tab. There is no application fee and students are admitted on a rolling basis. Students should be aware of
scholarship deadlines.
I applied for the Honors College my first semester at UTSA and wasn’t admitted. Is there a possibility I can join later?
Yes, the Honors College also accepts applications from current UTSA students. Students attending UTSA are eligible to apply if they have a 3.4 or better grade point average.
If I’m a CAP student, can I join the Honors College?
No. Students who have accepted the CAP offer are not eligible to be in the Honors College. If a CAP student decides they would like to be in the Honors College, they must opt out of the CAP program. If a student is accepted into the Honors College prior to accepting CAP, they must decide which program they want to be in. Any students accepting the CAP offer after being admitted to the Honors College will be considered ineligible and exited from the Honors College.
More questions? Give us a call at 210-458-4106 or email us at honors@utsa.edu
