Robert Pampel, Ph.D.
Director
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.
The Saint Louis University Honors Program engages intellectually curious and academically successful students in a community-oriented towards 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 non-profit organizations, and serve communities around the world through organizations like the Peace Corps and the Jesuit Volunteer Corps.
Each honors student at SLU is assigned an honors academic advisor. The honors advisor 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 her or his 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 meet with their honors advisor at least once each academic year to keep track of their progress in the University Honors Program.
The University Honors Program offers honors-only courses and smaller, seminar-style classes. Students are also encouraged to participate in internships, independent research projects and study abroad semesters.
Students must complete 24 credits of Honors academic credit. Eighteen of the credits must be from traditional course-based experiences, and six credits must be from experiences outside the classroom. Three of these credits come in the form of a capstone project, a culminating research project in a student's major or minor field of studies.
Admission to the University Honors Program is determined by a holistic review of prior academic performance, achievement on college entrance examinations, and evidence of interest in and fit for the program. Interested candidates must apply online.
First-time college students must have an outstanding high school academic record in a rigorous curriculum (represented by only As and Bs in all classes and a minimum 3.8 GPA) and a composite ACT score of at least 30 or an SAT score of at least 1390. The GPA and ACT/SAT scores are the minimum for admission consideration; the committee also reviews a personal statement and letters of recommendation and ranks all applicants using a common, multi-dimensional rubric. Completed applications are due no later than December 1 for enrollment in the University Honors Program in fall of the freshman year.
Current students 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 October 15 for spring enrollment and February 15 for fall enrollment.
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 October 15 for spring enrollment and August 1 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 are also encouraged to include a standardized test score (ACT or SAT) along with their application, when possible, but this is not required.
All active honors students are permitted to register one business day before other students at their grade level. For this purpose, students are categorized on the basis of completed semester credits.
Term | Credits |
---|---|
Freshmen | Fewer than 30 credits |
Sophomores | 30 or more credits, but fewer than 60 credits |
Juniors | 60 or more credits, but fewer than 90 credits |
Seniors | 90 or more credits |
Students are expected to complete all attempted honors credit options (both in-class and out-of-class). Withdrawing from an honors course after the University add/drop deadline may be arranged only in special circumstances with permission in advance from the director of the University Honors Program. Permission will be granted only in accordance with University deadlines for withdrawing from a course. Withdrawing from an honors course may adversely affect the student’s standing in the University Honors Program.
Students may submit a petition for course extension in an honors course with permission from the course instructor. The student must complete the course work within one year, or the grade for the course becomes an F (in accordance with the University policy for incomplete grades).
Students studying abroad may take honors courses that will count towards the 24 required honors credits, but only with permission in advance from the director of the University Honors Program. Students may develop a contract for an honors course while studying at the Saint Louis University Madrid Campus; again, the student must have permission in advance from the director of the University Honors Program.
Students must remain in good standing with the Honors Program by
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 treated 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.
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 UHP.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Required Courses | ||
HR 1900 | Crossroads: Intro to Honors | 3 |
HR 4930 | Honors Senior Seminar | 3 |
HR 4960 | Honors Senior Capstone | 3 |
Credits Outside the Classroom | ||
Select three credits from the following: | 3 | |
Honors Teaching Assistantship | ||
Honors Study Abroad | ||
Honors Research | ||
Honors International Partnership | ||
Honors Professional Development and Vocational Discernment | ||
Honors Internship | ||
Credits in the Classroom | ||
Select 12 credits from the following: | 12 | |
Honors Independent Study | ||
Honors-only courses (see below) | ||
Dual-listed courses (see below) | ||
Course contracts (see below) | ||
Graduate courses (see below) | ||
Total Credits | 24 |
Numerous academic departments 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. Many required Arts & Sciences core classes are offered as Honors-only courses, such as
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
THEO 1000 | Theological Foundations | 3 |
THEO 2210 | New Testament | 3 |
PHIL 1050 | Introduction to Philosophy: Self and Reality | 3 |
PHIL 2050 | Ethics | 3 |
HIST 1110 | Origins of the Modern World to 1500 | 3 |
HIST 1120 | Origins of the Modern World (1500 to Present) | 3 |
Options vary by semester.
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. Honors 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 departmental approval.
Students may elect to earn honors credit through a non-honors course by contracting the class with the professor. The course must be at the 3000- or 4000- level in the student's major or minor area. Students must submit an Honors Contract Agreement with the professor’s support that describes supplemental or enriched assignments the student will complete for honors credit. Contracts must be submitted to the UHP for approval by the first Friday of the semester. Students may not opt out of the honors work, which is graded pass/no pass. 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.
Graduate courses will count towards the twenty-four required honors credits, up to a maximum of 6 credits.
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. 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 UHP requirements. Students also must maintain at least a 3.5 cumulative grade point average to remain in good standing with the UHP. Student progress is reviewed at the end of each semester; students below a 3.5 cumulative grade point average 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 UHP.
HR 1900 - Crossroads: Intro to Honors
Credit(s): 3 Credits
A cross-disciplinary course that provides the entering student with an introduction to University Honors Program course work by focusing on a different theme or topic each year. Materials may be drawn from a wide variety of disciplines, including Anthropology, Art History, Biology, Fine and Performing Arts, History, Literature, Philosophy, Social Sciences, and Theology. Required of Honors Program students.
Attributes: Honors Program Students Only
HR 1980 - Independent Study
Credit(s): 1-3 Credits (Repeatable for credit)
Students may pursue an independent scholarly project under the supervision of a professor; students must submit a proposal to the University Honors Program by the first Friday of the semester.
Attributes: Honors Program Students Only
HR 2930 - Special Topics
Credit(s): 1-3 Credits (Repeatable for credit)
Selected topics of special interest to Honors Program students.
Attributes: Honors Program Students Only
HR 2980 - Independent Study
Credit(s): 1-3 Credits (Repeatable for credit)
Students may pursue an independent scholarly project under the supervision of a professor. Students must submit a proposal to the University Honors Program by the first Friday of the semester to earn honors credit for an independent study.
Attributes: Honors Program Students Only
HR 3930 - Special Topics
Credit(s): 1-4 Credits (Repeatable for credit)
Selected topics of special interest to Honors Program students.
Attributes: Honors Program Students Only
HR 3980 - Independent Study
Credit(s): 1-3 Credits (Repeatable for credit)
Students may pursue an independent scholarly project under the supervision of a professor. Students must submit a proposal to the University Honors Program by the first Friday of the semester to earn honors credit for an independent study.
Attributes: Honors Program Students Only
HR 4810 - Honors Teaching Assistantship
Credit(s): 0-3 Credits (Repeatable for credit)
Students may serve as a teaching assistant for Crossroads (HR 1900) after completing the course. The TA role involves aiding the course instructor with all aspects of the course. TAs also meet as a group to discuss their role as peer instructors and to learn about selected topics related to teaching and learning. Students must apply for the position in advance.
Attributes: Honors Program Students Only
HR 4820 - Honors Study Abroad
Credit(s): 1 Credit (Repeatable for credit)
Students can elect to earn credit during a study abroad experience by participating in an online reflective experience. The course emphasizes critical self-reflection before and after the abroad experience and thoughtful observation of a host culture during the term abroad.
Attributes: Honors Program Students Only
HR 4840 - Honors Research
Credit(s): 1-3 Credits (Repeatable for credit)
The University Honors Program places a high value on experiential learning, as it is a critical component for holistic student development. Therefore, students are eligible to earn Honors credit for research experiences completed through a department at the University or through an approved off-site location. Students must submit an online proposal (found on the Honors Program website) to the University Honors Program by the first Friday of the semester (or by June 1 for summer experiences) to earn credit.
Attributes: Honors Program Students Only
HR 4850 - Honors International Partnership
Credit(s): 0-1 Credits (Repeatable up to 3 credits)
Students may complete up to three Honors credits (one per semester) by participating in the International Partnership (IP) program. Participants are matched with an international student as a language partner, and are required to engage in regular conversations throughout the semester. Honors students may receive up to three IP credits throughout the duration of their Honors Program experience, but they are limited to one IP credit per semester.
Attributes: Honors Program Students Only
HR 4860 - Honors Professional Development and Vocational Discernment
Credit(s): 1 Credit
This course will help students understand and specifically translate their honors experiences into the "real world." Through an intentionally sequenced five-part series, students will give shape to the substance of their academic and personal lives and reflect on the character and meaning of their future work. Students will emerge from this course with both concrete professional skills and philosophical insights to aid in the job search or graduate school application process.
Restrictions:
Students with a classification of Freshman may not enroll.
Attributes: Honors Program Students Only
HR 4910 - Honors Internship
Credit(s): 1-3 Credits (Repeatable for credit)
The University Honors Program places a high value on experiential learning, as it is a critical component for holistic student development. Therefore, students are eligible to earn Honors credit for internship experiences completed through a department at the University or through an approved off-site location. Students must submit an online proposal (found on the Honors Program website) to the University Honors Program by the first Friday of the semester (or by June 1 for summer experiences) to earn credit.
Attributes: Honors Program Students Only
HR 4930 - Honors Senior Seminar
Credit(s): 0-3 Credits (Repeatable for credit)
HR4930: In the standard section of HR 4930, "The Scholar in Society," students develop awareness of and bring their disciplinary expertise to bear on issues of national and international importance. The course also serves as a vehicle for competitive fellowship and scholarship applications. Alternatively, honors students may choose to contract a course to serve as their senior seminar. It must be a 3000- or 4000-level course that is, ideally, interdisciplinary and reading- and writing-intensive. The senior seminar course is intended to be an honors in-class experience that is completed senior year.
Attributes: Honors Program Students Only
HR 4960 - Honors Senior Capstone
Credit(s): 0-3 Credits (Repeatable for credit)
Students must complete a comprehensive research project in their major/minor area during senior year. Proposals, supported by a faculty sponsor, are due the semester prior to conducting the project. The proposal form can be found on the Honors Program website.
Attributes: Honors Program Students Only
HR 4980 - Honors Independent Study
Credit(s): 1-3 Credits (Repeatable for credit)
Students may pursue an independent scholar project under the supervision of a professor; students must submit a proposal to the University Honors Program by the first Friday of the semester.
Attributes: Honors Program Students Only