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Sophomore Honors Scholar Designation

The Sophomore Honors Scholar was designed to encourage Honors students to participate in the Honors Program both academically and beyond the classroom. During the freshmen and sophomore years Honors students may work toward the requirements of the Sophomore Honors Scholar designation through Honors coursework and involvement in Honors-sponsored events. Honors events may include such things as: attendance at research mentorship presentations, Undergraduate Research Symposium (either presenting or being a volunteer evaluator), and Honors-sponsored speaker events. (see list and watch Web site announcement page for other opportunities).

Students, with advanced credits through AP exams or transfer credit, may be classified as a junior before the end of their second year on campus. They can use their first four semesters on campus to meet the requirements for the Sophomore Honors Scholar.

Sophomore Designation form

List of events that count as Honors Experiences for the designation. Events will be added as they are scheduled.

Requirements:

To earn the Sophomore Honors Scholar designation, students must complete either Option A or Option B depending on when you started in the program. Both plans incorporate participating in some Honors Experiences and all requirements must be completed by the end of the second year:

OPTION A (for students starting in the Honors Program first semester freshman year)

  1. Earn 12 hours of Honors credit with grades of A or B; at least 6 hours must be through honors sections;
  2. Successfully complete Honors Freshman Seminar (IDS 102.17) or Presidential Scholars Freshman Seminar (IDS 102.70) with an A or B;
  3. Earn a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.4 at the end of the fourth semester; and be in good standing in the Honors Program;
  4. Participate in Honors Experiences:
    1. Attend and submit documentation for three Honors events as approved for this designation by the Honors Program.
    2. At least two different types of events are required: e.g., attend two Research Mentorship presentations and volunteer at the Graduate Research Symposium OR one Research Mentorship presentation, volunteer at the Undergraduate Research Symposium, and attend an Honors-sponsored speaker event are two acceptable ways to fulfill this requirement.
    3. Unless otherwise noted, documentation of participation will be collected at the conclusion of the event.

OPTION B (for students starting in the Honors Program second semester freshman year or first semester sophomore year)

  • Earn 12 hours of Honors credit with grades of A or B; at least 6 hours must be through honors sections;
  • Earn a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.4 at the end of the fourth semester and be in good standing in the Honors Program;
  • Participate in Honors Experiences:
    1. Attend and submit documentation for four Honors events as approved for this designation by the Honors Program.
    2. At least two different types of events are required: e.g., two Research Mentorship presentations and two Honors-sponsored speaker events OR one Research Mentorship presentation, volunteer at the Undergraduate Research Symposium, attend an Honors-sponsored speaker event, and participate in Relay for Life with the Honors team are two acceptable ways to fulfill this requirement.
    3. Unless otherwise noted, documentation of participation will be collected at the conclusion of the event.

Notes:

  • Students, with advanced credits through AP exams or transfer credit, may be classified as a junior before the end of their second year on campus. They can use their first four semesters on campus to meet the requirements for the Sophomore Honors Scholar.
  • AP credits and courses taken at other institutions may not be used toward the Sophomore Honors Scholar.
  • Students must apply for the Sophomore Honors Scholar during their fourth semester.
  • The application forms for the designation can be found on the Web site.
  • You must complete the application to be considered for this award.

List of Possible Events:

  • Attendance at Honors Research Mentorship Presentations.
  • Participation in the Undergraduate Research Symposium as a presenter.
  • Volunteer at the Graduate or Undergraduate Research Symposia.
  • Attendance at Honors-sponsored speaker events.
  • Participation as a volunteer for an Honors-sponsored community service project.
  • Participation in other events when promoted for sophomore designation.