Honors College

Programs


Undergraduate

General information

The mission of the Missouri State University Honors College is to create an academic environment that is stimulating, challenging, and conducive to undergraduate learning and development. The Honors College fosters this environment by:

  • Attracting exceptional students from Missouri, the U.S., and around the world who have a demonstrated record of intellectual curiosity and academic success;
  • Matching students with outstanding faculty instructors in small course settings that foster collaboration, engagement, and discourse;
  • Developing critical thinking skills through a rigorous program of multi and interdisciplinary instruction with an emphasis upon research and academic writing;
  • Supporting the university’s Public Affairs mission by complementing the classroom experience with academic and social programming that promotes leadership, service, and the life of the mind;
  • Providing high levels of mentoring, advising, and development through individualized attention throughout a student’s program of study;
  • Preparing students for career success, graduate study, and competition for graduate and international research fellowships and awards.

Contact

Director

John F. Chuchiak, PhD

Office

University Hall, Room 212

Phone

417-836-6370

Email

HonorsCollege@
MissouriState.edu

Website

MissouriState.edu/Honors

 

Admission requirements

Full-time, degree-seeking undergraduate students are eligible for admission to the Honors College per the following policies:

  1. Membership is offered by invitation to all first-time in college students who have an ACT composite score of 27 or higher (or an SAT composite score of 1280 or higher) and who have graduated in the top 10 percent of their high school class or have a high school grade point average (GPA) of 3.90 or higher. Students admitted to the Honors College will be assigned to either the General Honors Program or the Accelerated Honors Program, based upon college-level course work completed prior to entry:
    1. Students who enter the Honors College with fewer than 30 completed credit hours will be admitted to the General Honors Program
    2. Students who enter the Honors College with 30 or more completed credit hours will be admitted to the Accelerated Honors Program 
  2. Students who do not satisfy the automatic eligibility requirements may apply for admission to the Honors College after completing at least one semester at the University. Applicants must submit a completed application form, a statement of purpose, a writing sample, and a recommendation letter from an MSU faculty member. Applications for admission will be reviewed in January and July and qualified candidates will be offered admission on a space available basis. Students are encouraged to apply prior to their fourth semester at the University. Students admitted to the Honors College will be assigned to either the General Honors Program or the Accelerated Honors Program, based upon college-level course work completed prior to entry.
  3. Transfer students may apply for admission to the Honors College following admission to the University. Applicants must submit a completed application form, a statement of purpose, a writing sample, and a recommendation letter from a faculty instructor.  Applications for admission will be reviewed in January and July and qualified candidates will be offered admission on a space available basis. Students who have completed course work in honors programs/colleges may be able to apply previous honors course work towards Honors College requirements. Transfer students admitted to the Honors College will be assigned to the Accelerated Honors Program, unless they have completed fewer than 30 credit hours, in which case they will be assigned to the General Honors Program.
  4. International students who did not receive a diploma from a United States high school may be admitted to the Honors College if they satisfy the following criteria:
    1. TOEFL IBT score of 100 or higher or IELTS score of 7.0 or higher; and
    2. Completion of at least one of the following options:
      1. ACT composite score of 27 or higher or SAT combined score of 1220 or higher;
      2. Successful completion of the International Baccalaureate Diploma;
      3. British A-Levels course work: C average or higher (two course minimum);
      4. British AS-Levels course work: C average or higher (four course minimum);
      5. French Baccalaureate: overall average of 10 or higher;
      6. Score of 100 or higher on the English portion of China’s National College Entrance Exam;
      7. Completion of 12 or more hours at an American college/university with a 3.00 or higher GPA.

    Students who are exempt from completing the TOEFL or IELTS exams and/or who did not have the opportunity to enroll in the academic programs outlined in point two may contact the Director of the Honors College and request a formal review of their academic qualifications.

    International students who completed a diploma at a United States high school will be admitted under the guidelines outlined in Admissions Section A (see above).

The program

Students admitted to the Honors College will be assigned to either the General Honors Program or the Accelerated Honors Program, based upon college-level course work completed prior to entry.