Honors College

J. Buss, Dean; E. Rutter, Associate Dean

bsu.edu/honors

The Honors College offers distinctive learning opportunities for students with excellent academic promise by way of special courses, colloquia, seminars, unique learning opportunities, and independent study. The curriculum is interdisciplinary in nature, including many courses that also meet requirements in the University Core Curriculum. The Honors College core includes courses in contemporary American culture, global studies, science, and interdisciplinary humanities classes that explore the major intellectual, artistic, and cultural achievements of humankind. Incoming honors students enroll in a special eight-week Freshman Seminar in their first semester. This seminar provides an orientation to the Honors College and the Ball State experience and is guided by an Honors College student mentor. After the freshman year, students may enroll in Honors colloquia courses. Each Honors student normally takes at least two colloquia during their undergraduate studies. These colloquia are developed by Honors faculty members to focus on special topics, creative connections, or critical issues in their areas of expertise. As a senior, each student completes a capstone project, whether in their major or minor or as an independent study, under the guidance of a professor selected by the student.

Throughout their four years, Honors students have ready access to their Honors advisor, who offers continual guidance from freshman orientation through graduation. Honors students may apply for an Undergraduate Fellowship, which provides payment for independent research or a creative endeavor with a faculty mentor. Honors students are strongly encouraged to pursue short- or long-term study abroad experiences and major post-graduate fellowship opportunities.

Incoming freshmen, enrolled students at Ball State, and transfer students are welcome to apply to the Honors College at any point in their undergraduate careers. Applications for admission are reviewed by the Honors College following the applicant’s admission to Ball State University. The Honors College considers the strength of the high school curriculum, prior college experiences if applicable, extracurricular activities and leadership experiences, and, in some cases, letters of reference from teachers familiar with the student’s potential for college academic work. Students admitted to the Honors College should make regular progress in the Honors curriculum: students’ grade-point averages should be at least 3.0 at the end of the freshman year and 3.15 at the end of the sophomore year; students should complete at least one Honors core course by the end of the first year; students should complete at least three Honors core courses by the end of the second year. In order to graduate with an Honors diploma, students must complete the Honors curriculum and finish with a cumulative grade-point average of 3.33 or above.