Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What should I expect during my first semester in Honors?
Expect to take Honors 101 and engage in enrichment activities. This required gateway course introduces you to Honors, university resources, academic and professional planning, and an interdisciplinary consideration of some of the major issues facing both higher education and this generation. It also serves as the first of a series of courses through which to build and refine a professional skill set.
Additionally, Honors 101 introduces you to one of the pillars of the Honors College: community engagement. Honors students are expected to participate in their greater community, whether extracurricular, service learning, and/or leadership development. A couple of ways one might do this would be through either the Honors Club or HuskiesAdvance.
What if I want to talk to a current Honors student?
We have Honors College Student Ambassadors who would be happy to talk to you via email, text, video, or phone. Just fill out this brief form and someone will contact you.
How many extra classes do I have to take to complete Honors?
None. Since Honors serves as minor, all our classes become part of your degree completion requirements. Our curriculum allows you to complete some general education classes while offering signature courses unique to Honors. It also includes opportunities to complete Honors requirements through your major.
Where do I find my Honors requirements?
To see your personal progress on the honors requirements, follow the outlined steps of the Degree Audit Report.
Are honors classes harder?
No. Honors is focused on interdisciplinary practices and community engagement in learning, and applying the knowledge you have already learned in fields you are already interested in. This approach aims to grow your leadership, communication, and critical thinking skills in a meaningful and impactful way for both you (the student) and the community at large. In this learning, you will also develop your skills in navigating systems, and how multiple systems and organizations collaborate around a common goal. These transferable skills will prepare you for life in an increasingly interconnected world.
I have all my generals done, now what?
If you are a transfer student from another institution, a current St. Cloud State University student who has completed at least one year in the campus-wide curriculum, or a new college student bringing in forty or more pre-college credits, you will be placed in the Honors Integrated Minor. The Honors Integrated Minor is designed to provide students with a large number of incoming credits to benefit from everything Honors has to offer without encumbering extra classes. The abbreviated curriculum will be reflected in your Degree Audit Report (see "Where do I find my Honors requirements?" above).
What does honors “do” to benefit me?
Honors offers the opportunity to apply the knowledge you are learning during your college career and grow your interdisciplinary skills before moving into graduate school or the workforce. Honors allows you to dig deeper into topics of interest and build your skillset in your educational discipline ahead of graduation. Graduating from Honors College gives you a competitive edge in both furthering your education and securing post-graduation job placement in an increasingly competitive climate. You can expect small, innovative classes; individualized mentoring and support from an honors success coach; undergraduate research opportunities; first-year experience field trips; honors club social events; academic and personal enrichment opportunities; and unique scholarship opportunities.