Director: Gene Young, Ph.D. 936-294-1477; honors@shsu.edu
Information: Academic Building IV, corner of Avenue I and Bowers Boulevard; Box 2479,
Huntsville, TX 77341-2479; Telephone: (936) 294-1477; Fax: (936) 294-1090
Website: http://honors.shsu.edu
The Elliott T. Bowers Honors Program exists for the benefit of highly motivated and academically talented undergraduate students at Sam Houston State University. The Honors Program provides these achievement-oriented individuals with some financial support, an opportunity to interact with other highly motivated students, special course offerings leading to a broad, interdisciplinary educational experience, limited-enrollment classes, closer contact with highly productive faculty, the opportunity to participate in advanced registration (and other benefits), and access to distinctively designed facilities, including Spivey House, the Honors residence hall on campus. Honors students also enjoy a variety of cultural and social outings and events—on campus and off—throughout the academic year.
The honors student earns honors credit in a variety of specially designated classes, and works toward the distinction of graduating “With Honors” or “With Highest Honors.” To qualify for graduation “With Honors,” a student must have been a participant in good standing in the Honors Program and have completed 24 hours of honors credit, including participation in two interdisciplinary honors seminars. To qualify for graduation “With Highest Honors” a student must, in addition, complete a six-hour senior thesis in an approved discipline under the direction of a faculty member of his/her choice.
To be considered for admission to the Honors Program, either when first entering SHSU or as a continuing SHSU student, a student must make special application to the Honors Program Office. Incoming freshmen are eligible for consideration if they have a composite SAT I score (Critical Reading + Math) of 1200 or above, or a composite ACT score of 27 or above, or have graduated in the top 10 percent of their high school class. For transfer or continuing SHSU students, eligibility is based upon a college cumulative GPA of 3.4 or better. Admission is competitive. Selections are determined via a comprehensive review of each completed application. Once accepted into the Honors Program, a student must maintain a 3.25 SHSU grade point average in order to continue participation in the Honors Program.
Honors Seminars have been established to provide unique, broadly integrative, interdisciplinary educational experiences to all Elliott T. Bowers Honors students. These courses are highly interactive between professors and students and will generally involve student paper presentations. These and other educational initiatives provide Honors students with a rich and challenging interdisciplinary learning environment.