HONORS COLLEGE

The mission of the Honors College is to provide enhanced educational opportunities for selected, motivated, enthusiastic, diverse, and inquisitive students and to foster the pursuit of excellence in undergraduate higher education. The underlying philosophy of the program is that well-educated individuals should understand broad, interdisciplinary perspectives while demonstrating expertise in their chosen field. The Honors College is open to students from all academic disciplines. Members of the Honors College pursue a rigorous academic program which satisfies all requirements of their academic departments and colleges and goes beyond those requirements to provide the basis for outstanding achievement and appropriate recognition for that achievement. The Honors College offers small classes with greater opportunities for student participation, increased student-faculty contact, greater individual attention, lively discussions of important issues, special interdisciplinary seminars, community service opportunities, and supervised research experiences, all designed to challenge talented students.

Throughout a student's program of study, the Honors College's emphasis is on breadth of academic experience. In the junior and senior year, Honors students usually become more focused in a particular academic discipline. Upper-division Honors work typically culminates in a senior honors thesis or senior honors project under the direction of a faculty member from the student's major department.

Participation in the Honors College supplements, but does not replace, work in a major field. Credits earned in Honors College courses may be used to satisfy Core curriculum requirements or specific degree requirements. Honors College and departmental advisors assist in assuring that students meet all requirements of each student's major curriculum.

ADMISSION AND RETENTION

Entering Freshmen

Entering freshmen with a minimum SAT of 1100 or ACT of 26 or class rank in the top 10% are invited to apply for admission to the college.

Continuing or Transfer Students

Continuing students and transfer students who have completed at least 12 hours of college course work and have attained at least a 3.30 grade point average (GPA) are also invited to apply for admission.

Good Standing

Following the initial semester in the college, an honors student is considered to be in good standing if he or she maintains a minimum overall or UTSA GPA of 3.25 and successfully completes a minimum of one honors course per academic year. These courses may include honors sections of departmental courses, courses offered through the college (HON), and credit earned through honors contracts. A student not in good standing for two consecutive semesters will be dropped from the college. Students whose GPA falls below 3.25 but remains above 3.00 may petition to remain in the Honors College as a probationary member. Only students in good standing qualify for Honors graduation.

Readmission

Students who have been dropped from the college may apply for readmission if:

· They have attained a minimum overall or UTSA GPA of 3.25; and

· They are currently enrolled in an honors course or register for an honors course at the time of request.

Dual College Membership

All Honors College students are also members of a degree-granting college. Admission to the Honors College is independent of admission to any other academic unit.