Honors College

Welcome to the Slippery Rock University Honors College. We are a community of highly motivated, talented and supportive students. As an Honors College student, you'll have many opportunities to develop and expand your education within and beyond the classroom:

• Honors Courses: Courses typically limited to 25 students to emphasize participation and discussion. Honors courses are not harder, but more rewarding.
• Honors Experiences: Honors College students have special access to academic, entertainment, and service-oriented events throughout the entire year. These experiences allow you to explore your interests with a community of like-minded and motivated peers.
• Regional Cultural Events: Honors College students are able to attend a variety of cultural events, including concerts, plays, dance performances and museum trips.
• Spring Trips: Every spring, the Honors College hosts a trip to an interesting city. Recent trips have gone to Boston, Toronto, New York City, Washington, DC, Montreal, and Chicago.
• International Travel: You'll also have opportunities for international travel. In recent years, students have traveled to Belize; Santiago, Spain; Oslo, Norway; New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, Canada; London, England; Salzburg and Vienna, Austria; and Venice and Rome, Italy; and Poland through the PASSHE Summer Honors College Program. Recent Honors College courses have included travel to Belgium, France, London, Spain, Netherlands, Greece, Japan and Norway.
• Priority Scheduling: An extra benefit for students in the Honors College is early scheduling for classes.

I look forward to welcoming you to the program. Submit your application today!

-Dr. Jason T. Hilton, Director

Why should I apply to the Honors College?

Participating in the Slippery Rock Honors College provides an abundance of opportunities. The Honors experience has both classroom and co-curricular options to transform your SRU experience. Honors classes are typically smaller and offered in a seminar setting that provides deeper class discussions, more personal professor interaction, and research opportunities. These student-centered classes can be incorporated into any major because they fulfill general education requirements. The program also encourages student leadership through the Honors College Executive Board, committee involvement, and peer mentorship. Student involvement is a key aspect of what the Honor College offers so we are always open to ideas for new student leadership venues or groups.

Honors students also have access to augmented university opportunities. These include early class registration, scholarship opportunities, and the optional Honors Living-Learning Community in Watson Hall. Extracurricular activities enhance students’ time at SRU through academic symposia, colloquia, and undergraduate research. Conferences and other travel opportunities allow SRU students to connect with honors students from other colleges and universities. If all Honors requirements are met, students are granted an Honors designation on their transcript and a cord at commencement.

Joining the Slippery Rock Honors College gives students access to a community of driven student-scholars ready to make the most of their SRU experience.

Honors College Application Process

The Honors College at Slippery Rock University practices a holistic application process in order to determine admission into our program. If you are a curious and motivated learner who is excited to make a professional and personal impact on society, you are the perfect candidate for the Honors College.

To be eligible for the Slippery Rock Honors College you must meet TWO of the following SIX requirements:

• 3.8 High School GPA
• 3.25 College GPA
• 1220 SAT or 25 ACT
• Be either an active or a veteran member of the military
• Be able to provide a letter of recommendation specific to the Honors College from a teacher, school administrator, professor, or work supervisor that speaks to your high level of motivation, engagement, commitment, and leadership
• Be recommended by the Office for Community Engaged Learning, Office for Global Engagement, Office for Inclusive Excellence, or the Office for Student Engagement and Leadership

Additionally, as a part of the Honors application process you must submit TWO items:

1. Resume of extracurricular activities, community service, and leadership experiences
2. Below are a number of essay prompts that have been designed to help us get to know you as a person outside of the accomplishments listed on your resume. Please select ONE prompt to answer (500 words max) and upload it below
   1. Describe an experience in your life that led to a period of personal growth. What mindsets and strengths did you use in this situation? Finally, summarize a new understanding of the world around you because of this period of growth.
   2. Describe a piece of creative work (e.g., book, music, scientific discovery) that is meaningful to you. Explain how this creative work has influenced your own personal and professional goals.
   3. How have your early environments and experiences - including your home life, relationships, and neighborhood/community –shaped the person you are today? What lessons and/or values will you take with you into your college journey?

   You are encouraged to contact the Honors College Director if you have any questions about the application process. Submit your online application to the Honors College at Slippery Rock University.

   Honors Classes

   Honors classes are a key part of the honors experience and provide students with unique learning opportunities. Because they are limited to 25 students, honors classes are typically much more discussion-oriented and student-centered thus allowing for more interaction with the professor. They are not designed to be harder, but instead to give students an enhanced classroom experience. Honors classes fulfill general education requirements and thus can be integrated into any major.

   Honors College Mission Statement

   The mission of the Slippery Rock University Honors College is to provide unique opportunities for curious, enthusiastic, high caliber students to learn and grow in and out of the classroom, to promote leadership skills while working toward the development of the individual, and to promote the advancement of the university and the community.

   To achieve this mission, the Honors College has 6 outcomes that all Honors students complete before graduation:

   1. Leadership
   2. Inquiry, Analysis, and Research
   3. Civic Engagement and Responsibility
   4. Wellbeing
   5. Innovation
   6. Multiculturalism

   Transform your college experience with the Honors College!

   Apply to join Slippery Rock University’s Honors College, a growing community of enthusiastic SRU students.