General Catalog & Schedule of Classes

Admission is competitive and selective—only a small percentage of all entering students join the University Honors College and space is limited. UHC students are exceptionally able, highly motivated, and intellectually curious. They have a highly developed social consciousness and a sense of responsibility. Admission decisions are based on grade-point averages, SAT or ACT scores, and essay questions that reveal the student’s background, interests, and academic motivations, as well as abilities that may not be obvious from other measures. High school applicants must have a 3.75 GPA or a score of 1820 SAT, 27 ACT or above.

Entering first-year students interested in beginning the UHC fall term should submit an application by either November 1 or February 1. Applicants must also have completed an application for admission to OSU by that time. Admission decisions are made approximately 45 days after the submission deadlines. Responses to current year UHC essay questions are required.

Transfer or advanced-standing applicants should submit an application by March 15th and will be notified no later than April 30th. Personal visits are encouraged.

Degree Requirements

The honors degree is jointly awarded by the University Honors College and by the college of the student's major. Therefore additional credit requirements beyond the total required by the college of the student’s major must be completed. UHC students must satisfy all university and major requirements, as well as Honors requirements.  A student who completes a 30-credit track of University Honors College courses will be designated an Honors Scholar. A student who completes a 15-credit track will be designated as an Honors Associate. In either instance successful completion leads to receipt of an honors baccalaureate degree. Transcripts will also reflect Honors College completion and will denote UHC course work. The requirements for the Honors Scholar track include:

• Honors baccalaureate core courses (minimum 6 credits)
• Honors colloquia (minimum 6 credits)
• Honors electives (minimum 12 credits)
• Thesis/Research/Projects  (minimum 6 credits)
• At least 12 honors credits must be upper division.
• Bound thesis

The requirements for the Honors Associate track include:

• Honors colloquia (minimum 6 credits)
• Honors electives (minimum 6 credits)
• Thesis/Research/Projects  (minimum 3 credits)
• At least 12 honors credits must be upper division.
• Bound thesis

Many honors classes satisfy dual requirements; please check details with an Honors College advisor. For students in majors that require a senior thesis project, the honors thesis requirements may complement those of other majors requiring a senior thesis.

Retention Criteria

All UHC students must maintain a 3.25 cumulative OSU GPA and make timely progress toward fulfilling the requirements of the UHC and their major. All UHC student grades will be reviewed each term. Students below, or at risk of falling below the specified 3.25 cumulative OSU GPA will be notified to come in for advising. Students whose cumulative GPA remains below the standard will lose UHC status.

All students must maintain contact with Honors College advisors through regularly scheduled appointments.

Honors Courses

See the Schedule of Classes each term under University Honors College and under departmental listings for courses with an H suffix. The UHC publishes its own schedule, which is available each term in the UHC office and on the UHC website. Honors courses change annually; many are offered under departmental designators.

See the UHC website for additional information, http://honors.oregonstate.edu.