Honors Program
The Honors Program at Northeastern State University is a challenging educational option for academically talented students who enjoy learning. Honor students work with distinguished faculty members and peers in enhanced courses, pursue independent research, and participate in co-curricular cultural experiences.
Benefits of being an Honors Student include academic scholarships through the Academic Scholars Program, Baccalaureate Scholars Program, or selected Collegiate Scholars, special Honors courses, priority enrollment, enrichment activities, cultural events, field trips, faculty mentorship on individual research projects, Honors Scholar recognition at graduation, and designation on your transcript.
For additional information, contact the Honors Program Director, Dr. Chris Burba, at nsuhonors@nsuok.edu or 918-444-2226.
Honors Program Admission & Scholarships
Information about program admission and scholarship opportunities can be found on the Honors Program Admission and Honors Scholarship pages, respectively.
Honors Courses
Honors students are required to complete seven honors courses and four semesters of honors research (see below). A recommended course sequence is provided below.
| Freshman Year Fall Semester | Freshman Year Spring Semester |
|
UNIV 1003 University Strategies
ENGL 2113 Introduction to Literature HIST 1493 American History since 1877 |
POLS 1113 American Federal Government
PSYC 1113 Introduction to Psychology |
| Sophomore Year Fall Semester | Sophomore Year Spring Semester |
| COMM 1123 Fundamentals of Oral Communication | AIS 2223 Introduction to American Indian Studies |
Honors Research
Honors research begins when a student reaches 60 credit hours and typically runs during a student’s junior and senior years. The following are general descriptions of the activities that students are expected to accomplish each semester of their honors research experience.
Semester Before Research Starts
Students need to find a research advisor before enrolling in Honors Research I. Students may work with any faculty member in their college. Adjunct faculty are not able to serve as research advisors. Once identified, students need to complete the Honors Research I Enrollment Form (pdf). A signed copy of the form is due to the Honors Office by March 1 (for those planning to start research in the spring) or September 30 (for those planning to start research in the fall).
HCOL 3401 Honors Research I
This semester, the honors student and faculty advisor develop the research topic or scholar activity suitable to your major field of study. Students will produce a research proposal describing the nature and experimental design of the project to be conducted. The honors research experiences should be more than a simple literature survey. Key milestones to accomplish and work expectations need to be defined. Students will turn in a research-advisor-approved Research Project Summary to the Honors Office by March 1 or September 30.
Some projects may require students to start collecting data this semester. Please note that any projects involving human and/or animal subjects require Institutional Review Board and/or Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee approval before you can start your research.
HCOL 3502 Honors Research II
This semester is when students work on their project. Please continue to work with your faculty advisor.
HCOL 4402 Honors Research III
Students continue working on their project this semester. The project should be completed by the end of the semester. Students may also begin preparing their written report and presentation.
HCOL 4501 Honors Research IV
Students finish writing their report and developing a presentation. Drafts of the honors research paper are due to your research advisor October 1 or March 1, depending on which semester you are enrolled in the class. A complete copy of the advisor-approved thesis is due to the honors office by October 31 or March 31. The thesis needs to be signed by the student and research advisor. An oral presentation of your work will be presented to the Honors Research Symposium or other director-approved venue.
Requirements for Good Standing
- Complete a minimum of twelve (12) credit hours per semester
- Maintain a minimum GPA of 3.25.
- Successfully complete required Honors Courses with a “C” or better
- Successfully complete any non-Honors course with a “D” or better
Student progress is evaluated between the summer and fall semesters. Students who, due to extraordinary circumstances during the semester, drop below the minimum of 12 hours of initial enrollment, must earn 24 credit hours for the two regular semesters to retain eligibility for the next program year.
Graduation Recognition and Diploma Designation
Honors students may receive recognition of their accomplishments at graduation and diploma designation of completing an honors program. Obtaining this distinction requires
- Completion of total Honors Program curriculum
- All seven Honors Courses
- All four semesters of Honors Research
- Submission of an approved Honors Research/Scholarly Activity Report
- Completion and presentation of Senior Research Project/Scholarly Activity
- Graduation GPA of 3.250 or higher.
Honors Student Organization
Honors students are able to participate in the student-led Honors Program Student Organization.
Additional Documents
Additional information about the Honors Program policies may be found in the following documents.
Honors Student Spotlight
"During my time here at NSU, I have gained more knowledge and made more connections than I could have ever imagined. I attribute that to the people I have met here. Not only have I met my lifelong friends, but I have also met incredible students here who will go on to become lifelong colleagues. In meeting each cohort of students, I have become more inspired and continue to be proud and amazed by the depth of knowledge my peers possess. Additionally, the faculty here at NSU wants nothing more than to see us succeed. I have been graced to learn from professors who are passionate about their work. They are willing to give their all to inspire students who are fervent to learn and work. The Honors Program has allowed me to conduct research in topics I am interested in. Doing so has allowed me to connect with professors and mentors who are passionate about topics I am interested in learning about. Through the Honors Program, I have learned how to become a leader and mentor for others. NSU and the Honors Program have made an everlasting impact on my life and my future."Alyssa “AJ” Fields, Hulbert, OK, Freshwater Sciences Major
Learn More about Honors Program Admission!
CONTACT US
Northeastern State University
601 North Grand Ave
Tahlequah, OK 74464
918-444-2226 Office