Frequently Asked Questions
What are the admissions requirements for the Honors Program?
A student may enter the University Honors Program at two different points of his or her UMHB academic career.
- Students may apply for the lower division University Honors Program if they have an ACT Composite Score of 25 or SAT Composite Score of 1200, and are in the top 15% of graduating class. Priority consideration will be given to those who have an ACT Composite Score of 27 or SAT Composite Score of 1280 and are in the top 10% of graduating class. Acceptance into the program allows the student to take any of the designated lower division honor courses for credit toward a degree and for honors credit toward University Honors at graduation.
- A student may apply for the upper division University Honors Program anytime after completing 60 semester hours (must include a minimum of 12 semester hours at UMHB) and maintaining a GPA of 3.50 or higher.
- Students may also enter the University Honors Program at the invitation of the Honors Committee.
What is the process for gaining admission to the Honors Program?
Students who are eligible to participate in the lower division University Honors Program are typically invited to apply during the general admissions process. Others may initiate the application if they meet the admissions requirements.
Students wishing to participate in the upper division University Honors Program will submit the following to the Honors Program Director for approval.
- A written application for admission
- A written recommendation by a faculty member
- A conference with the Honors Committee (if required by the committee)
What are the requirements for the Honors Program?
The University Honors Program is administered at two levels: lower division and upper division.
- Lower Division Requirements:
- Students must take the following courses during their freshman year: UMHB 1101-H Honors Freshman Seminar CSBS 1311-H Honors Old Testament Survey OR CSBS 1312-H Honors New Testament
- Plus, two of the following must be taken during the freshman and/or sophomore years: HIST 1311-H Honors History of World Civilizations to 1500 (Fall) PSYC 1301-H Honors General Psychology (Fall) CSBS 1312-H Honors New Testament Survey (Fall & Spring) OR CSBS 1311-H Honors Old Testament (Fall & Spring --Whichever is not selected to fulfill the above requirement.) ENGL 2380-H Honors Literature (Spring)
- 1 Designated Course.
- Upper Division Requirements:
- Complete a minimum of three courses designated as honors courses in the department of his/her major. (A student that has completed the lower level honors program will only have to designate one class in his/her major.)
- Successfully complete both HNRS 3110 and HNRS 3120. HNRS 3110 Fall Semester: Great Books and Ideas HNRS 3120 Spring Semester: Living Issues
- Students who aspire to graduate magna cum laude or summa cum laude must undertake a senior research project in his or her major subject or teaching field. The project is carried out under the direction of a faculty member conversant with the topic under investigation. When completed, the research project will be submitted to a committee composed of the members of the University Honors Committee and the supervising faculty member. In addition, the student will present the paper orally to the same committee and other faculty wishing to attend. The student will receive three hours credit in his or her major subject or teaching field for the research project, if he or she enrolls in an Independent Study course or a Research course.
How do I designate (“contract”) a course for honors credit?
In addition to taking honors courses, lower-level honors students (freshmen and sophomores) are required to contract one three-hour general education course. Upper-level honors students (juniors and seniors) are required to contract up to three courses for honors credit in their majors. As a result, an honors student may approach you about “contracting” your course or “designating” your course for honors credit.
Should you agree to do so, the honors student should discuss with you an additional assignment to fulfill the honors requirement. The assignment guidelines are:
- For lower-level contracts, the expectation is that students complete additional work that enhances their understanding of the course material. This might include writing an analytical essay, the opportunity to teach a concept to the class, or completing a book/article review.
- For upper-level course contracts in the major, the expectation is that students complete additional research or creative activity in their disciplines. We often encourage upper-level students to examine topics that may later develop into their senior honors projects.
When the student and professor agree upon an assignment, the student will then complete an online “designation of honors course” form that will be forwarded to you for approval. You will then be contacted at the end of the semester to see if the honors contracted work had been completed satisfactorily. If so, the student will receive honors credit for the course. Course contract forms can be found on the Honors Program website: honors forms-and-information
What happens if I don't continue to meet the program requirements?
Transcripts of UMHB Honors students will be evaluated at the end of each academic year. Honors students must maintain a 3.5 cumulative G.P.A. to remain in good standing. Students that fall below a 3.5, but not below a 3.0, will be placed on probation. Probation may be extended up to one year during which time a student may continue to participate in the Honors Program. Students on probation must raise their G.P.A.’s to at least a 3.5 by the end of the probation period. Otherwise, they will be automatically withdrawn from the program.
Students whose G.P.A.’s fall below a 3.0 will be automatically withdrawn from the program.
Can a student be reinstated to the Honors Program?
Students that have been withdrawn from the Honors Program may submit a formal written petition for readmission to the program director. The petition, which must include an explanation and rationale for reinstatement, will be considered once the student achieves at least one semester of 3.5 or higher academic work.
What type of recognition is provided to students in the Honors Program?
Any student, who has successfully completed the requirements for three designated honors courses in his or her major subject (or the equivalent), HNRS 3110 and HNRS 3120, and who has maintained a cumulative grade point average of 3.50 or higher will graduate from Mary Hardin-Baylor cum laude. Any student, who aspires to graduate magna cum laude or summa cum laude and who has maintained a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.50, must complete a senior research project. The level of recognition awarded a student aspiring to graduate magna cum laude or summa cum laude will be determined by the University Honors Committee, based upon the evaluations of the student’s performance in the honors seminar, the quality of the senior research project, the student’s final grade point average, and an evaluation of the student by the faculty in his/her major.
Are there any additional scholarships available for Honors students?
Yes, a limited number of Honors Program scholarships will be awarded on a competitive basis each academic year. The scholarships will be renewable for up to two years and will be awarded to assist students in completing the requirements of the upper-level honors program.
The following criteria will be followed in determining scholarship recipients:
- Membership in the Honors Program and a 3.5 G.P.A. or higher
- Completion of 60 hours or junior standing by the fall semester
- Preference will be given to applicants that have completed all of the requirements of the lower-level program
- G.P.A., personal statement, and program participation (both academic and non-academic) will be evaluated
- The faculty reference may be contacted to provide information about student’s academic performance and other qualifications
If a scholarship is awarded and accepted, the student will agree to:
- register for and complete HNRS 3110 and 3120, any required contract courses, and complete and submit a senior honors project application during the junior year;
- complete and submit a senior honors project prospectus and present senior honors project research during the senior year; and
- participate in Honors Program events and activities.
Page last updated December 08, 2023