University Honors Program

Saint Louis University's Honors Program is designed for academically talented and intellectually curious students from all majors. The Honors Program encourages learning both in and out of the classroom through experiences such as seminar-style classes, independent studies, internships, research projects and study abroad.

Students work closely with an honors advisor to create a rigorous course of study that advances academic and career interests. The Honors Program brings students and faculty together in a community of scholars to explore topics of mutual interest in an interdisciplinary way. In addition, it provides an experience through which students gain cultural competency skills, grow professionally and discern their talents through reflection in the Jesuit tradition.

Program Highlights

The Saint Louis University Honors Program engages intellectually curious and academically successful students in a community oriented toward the Jesuit ideals of holistic learning, academic rigor and community engagement. Through a combination of individually tailored curricula, experiential-learning opportunities and developmental guidance and mentorship, the Honors Program prepares students to become citizens who engage in the process of inquiry and apply their knowledge in service to society.

Alumni of the Honors Program attend highly selective professional schools around the country, pursue prestigious scholarships and fellowships, work for world-class businesses and nonprofit organizations, and serve communities around the world through organizations like the Peace Corps and the Jesuit Volunteer Corps.

Honors Academic Advising

Each honors student at SLU is assigned an honors academic advisor who provides specialized secondary advising for students throughout their undergraduate careers. The honors advisor works with primary advisors in all schools and colleges, as well as faculty and staff from specialty programs to provide support for honors students.

The honors advisor helps each student construct a rigorous curriculum plan directed at achieving their academic and career goals. The honors advisor is also available to discuss course selection, undergraduate research and capstone options, post-graduation plans and distinguished scholarship opportunities. Students are encouraged to meet with their honors advisor at least once each academic year to keep track of their progress in the Honors Program.

Curriculum Overview

The Honors Program offers honors-only courses within various departments across the University and smaller, seminar-style classes that are exclusive to the Honors Program. Students are also encouraged to participate in internships, independent research projects and study-abroad semesters.

Students must complete 25 credits of honors academic credit, divided between Core and Major Enrichment units (21) and Contemplation in Action units (4). Core and Major Enrichment courses include the honors seminar (taken in the sophomore year), honors-only courses in the University Core, dual-listed honors courses, course contracts, graduate courses and a capstone project. Contemplation in Action units build on experiential-learning opportunities such as research and internship experiences, study-abroad reflections, the international partnership conversation program, professional development and vocational discernment workshops, wellness seminars and peer instruction experiences.

In addition to formal credits, all first-year students participate in a retreat and guided-reflection experience during their first year at Saint Louis University aimed to orient them to the Honors Program and to frame their future work at the University and in the program.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the University Honors Program is determined by a holistic review of prior academic performance, extracurricular involvement, leadership experience and evidence of intellectual curiosity (as evidenced by letters of recommendation and a personal statement). Interested candidates must apply online.

Eligibility and Deadlines

First-time college students must have an outstanding high school academic record in a rigorous curriculum (represented by A's and B's in all classes and a minimum 3.8 GPA). In addition to reviewing students' transcript(s), the committee reviews a personal statement and letters of recommendation and evaluates all applicants using a common, multi-dimensional rubric. Completed applications are due no later than Dec. 1 for enrollment in the University Honors Program in fall of the freshman year.

Current students may join the Honors Program in their second year and must have completed at least one semester at Saint Louis University, earned at least a 3.5 cumulative GPA, and have earned fewer than 45 credits at the time of application. Completed applications are due no later than Feb. 15 for enrollment in the following fall.

Transfer students must have earned at least a 3.5 cumulative GPA at their previous institution(s) and have earned fewer than 45 credits at the time of application. Transfer students may be awarded honors credit (not to exceed 12 units) for previous honors coursework at the discretion of the director of the University Honors Program. Decisions about honors transfer credit will be made at the time of admission. Completed applications are due no later than Feb. 15 for fall enrollment.

International students with an outstanding academic record in a rigorous high school curriculum are encouraged to apply. An equivalent grade point average of at least 3.8 on a 4.0 scale and a minimum English proficiency score of 90 on the TOEFL (IBT) or 7.0 on the IELTS is required, in addition to the personal statement and letters of recommendation. International students may submit a standardized test score (ACT or SAT) in lieu of the TOEFL or IELTS exam along with their application.

Academic Policies

Priority Registration

All active honors students are permitted to register one business day before other students at their grade classification. For this purpose, students are categorized on the basis of completed semester credits.

Withdrawing from an Honors Course

Students are expected to complete all attempted honors credit options. Withdrawing from an honors course may adversely affect the student’s standing in the University Honors Program.

Petition for Course Extension

Students may submit a petition for course extension in an honors course with permission from the course instructor. The student must complete the coursework within one year, or the grade for the course becomes an F (in accordance with the University policy for incomplete grades).

Taking Honors Courses Abroad

Students studying abroad may take honors courses that will count towards the 25 required honors credits, but only with permission in advance from the director of the University Honors Program. Additional opportunities exist at the University's Madrid campus. Inquire with the Honors Program for more details.

Dismissal from the Honors Program

Students must remain in good standing with the Honors Program by:

1. Maintaining at least a 3.5 cumulative GPA
2. Earning honors credit every semester (some exceptions apply)
3. Earning a B or better in any honors-designated courses

The University Honors Program reviews each student’s progress in all three of these areas at the end of each semester. Students who have a cumulative GPA below a 3.5, and/or who have not consistently earned honors credit, and/or who earn a B- or below in an honors-designated course are at risk of being dismissed from the program. All students at risk of dismissal are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Students notified of dismissal are given the opportunity to appeal the decision. Students who are dismissed from the program are not permitted to re-enroll.

Graduation Requirements

Students who successfully complete all requirements and have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5 will graduate with the University Honors Program distinction, which will be listed on their official transcript. Latin Honors (e.g., cum laude) are awarded on the basis of grade point average and are not associated with the Honors Program.

1. Graduates will be able to communicate thoughtfully and effectively in multiple disciplines and contexts.
2. Graduates will be able to apply knowledge to social, cultural and professional contexts.
3. Graduates will be able to identify and apply multiple methods of inquiry to address complex questions.
4. Graduates will be able to conduct extensive, quality research or scholarship in a chosen academic field.
5. Graduates will be able to describe the evolution of their quest for personal and professional purpose, as it is situated in social, cultural and historical contexts.
6. Graduates will be able to demonstrate awareness of the complex identities of themselves and others.
7. Graduates will be able to discern how their engagement with diverse communities and cultures affects themselves and others.

Honors-Only Courses

The University Honors Program partners with other academic departments and programs to offer courses with enrollment limited to honors students. These courses are taught by some of Saint Louis University's most distinguished faculty, and the class size is typically limited to 20 students. In many cases, honors-only courses satisfy requirements for the University Core.

Options vary by semester.

Dual-listed Courses

The majority of honors courses are dual-listed courses, which means that both honors students and non-honors students can enroll in the course. Dual-listed courses involve supplemental or enriched assignments for students to earn honors credit. To earn honors credit, students must register specifically for the honors section of the course (designated by an H in the section number) and must complete the supplemental or enriched honors work. Students may not opt out of the honors section or the honors work after the University add/drop deadline, except with instructor approval. The Honors Program selects dual-listed courses with an eye toward satisfying University Core Curriculum Ways of Thinking requirements or other attributes in the Core.

Course Contracts

Students may elect to earn honors credit through a non-honors course by contracting the class with the instructor. The course must be at the 3000- or 4000- level in the student's major, minor or closely related area of study. Students must submit an Honors Contract Agreement with the instructor's support that describes supplemental or enriched assignments the student will complete for honors credit. For the course to count towards the student’s honors requirements, the student must pass the honors work and earn a B or better in the course.

Students are encouraged to contract at least one upper-level course in their major and may petition to complete more than one based on degree requirements and goals.

Graduate Courses

Students may earn credit towards completion of the University Honors Program requirements by taking graduate-level coursework. These courses must be elective and not already required for a program of study (e.g., students enrolled in direct-entry graduate programs like physical therapy may not use graduate courses in their professional years to count automatically towards Honors Program requirements). Graduate courses will count toward the 25 required honors credits, up to a maximum of 6 credits.

Continuation Standards

To remain active in the program, students must earn academic credit in an honors course or experience each semester (some exceptions apply, depending on a student's progress and standing in the Honors Program).

Students must earn a B or better in honors courses (or a grade of S for courses graded on a Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory scale). This includes all courses with the HR subject code, all dual-listed honors courses, as well as all contracted honors courses. Honors courses for which a student earns less than a B will not count toward meeting honors requirements. Students also must maintain at least a 3.5 cumulative GPA to remain in good standing with the Honors Program. Student progress is reviewed at the end of each semester; students below a 3.5 cumulative GPA may enter a probation status or be dismissed from the program.

Students who successfully complete all requirements and have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5 will graduate through the University Honors Program (listed on their official transcript). Latin Honors (e.g., cum laude) are awarded on the basis of grade point average and are not associated with the Honors Program.