Benefits and Requirements
Benefits
Why Honors?
We would like you to take a look at the Honors College at Texas A&M University-Kingsville. The benefits of an Honors College education are:
Classes – each semester, students pick one (or two) classes to take as Honors. Chose from:
- TAMUK classes that are open only to Honors students. These Honors sections incorporate innovative teaching styles
- More in-depth study in regular TAMUK courses through Honors contracts
- Security in getting into classes you want through Honors College Priority Registration
- Honors courses designated on your TAMUK transcript
Enhancing Your Education
- Opportunities in creative activities and research done through cutting edge competitions, research, performances/exhibits, and field work utilizing laboratories, archives and on-site studies overseen by nationally- and world-recognized professors; participation in projects offered nowhere else
- Individual transitional assistance adjusting from high school to university environments
- Professional development and professionalism training that will set you apart from other internship or job trainees from the very first day
- Honors College study abroad opportunities
- Being in the Honors College helps secure leadership positions within the university
- Internships and innovative community service opportunities available
- If class assistance is needed, there are connections to Honors students who have taken the course previously
- Special benefits such as strategy timelines, documentation enhancement training, as well as honor society membership opportunities in international award-winning student chapters, all geared towards getting you where you want to go in the field of your choice
Funding and Housing
- Opportunities to apply for national and regional conference travel funds
- Honors College scholarships (some are specific to certain degrees)
- Priority room assignment if staying in Mesquite Village West (home of the Honors College)
- If not living in MVW, special access to MVW study rooms is available 24/7
- Honors Living Learning Community provides opportunities to attend leadership development conferences, be part of study groups, and attend professional development workshops – all free!
Getting Jobs or into Graduate Schools
- Being in the Honors College fosters close interaction with faculty which develops professional relationships and references
- Obtain skills and experiences that make your resume stand out from others
- Application assistance designed for the individual student
- Honors on your transcript is recognized around the world as above and beyond traditional classes
- Honors College students have a very high success rate for obtaining jobs or acceptance in graduate/professional schools
Graduation
- Completion of Honors College requirements is officially listed on transcript
- Honors College stole awarded at Commencement ceremonies
- University Latin medal will be awarded (minimum institutional GPA of 3.40 and 45 hours at TAMUK)
Requirements
- Register for at least one Honors course per semester
- Maintain a 3.00 or higher institutional GPA the first year on campus and a 3.40 institutional GPA thereafter
- All Honors courses must be passed with a grade of “C” or higher
- Complete an Honors Independent Project to be determined when student reaches 60 credits (junior year)
Honors College Requirements for Incoming Freshmen (FTIC)
To be accepted into the Honors College:
Time Needed to Complete Requirements:
- Need a minimum of six semesters in the Honors College starting the first full-time semester at TAMUK
- Have completed a minimum of 45 hours at TAMUK at the end of semester before graduation
Classes:
- A least one Honors class must be taken every semester; can be taken either as an Honors section or through an Honors contract
- Complete a minimum of 18 Honors credits before graduation
- A minimum of 9 of those hours need to be at the 3000 or 4000-level
- All Honors courses must be passed with a grade of “C” or higher
- If a student retakes a class previously done as an Honors class, it needs to redone as Honors to still count in the minimum number of Honors credit hours needed. The student can retake the class as an Honors section or an Honors contract.
Minimum GPA Requirements to Stay in the Honors College:
- Students with 1-30 institutional (TAMUK) credit hours must maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA.
- Students with 31-44 institutional credit hours must maintain a 3.25 institutional GPA.
- Students with a minimum of 45 institutional hours must maintain a 3.40 institutional GPA.
Honors Project:
Graduating from the Honors College requires the completion of a major project that is creative and/or research based. This independent project must be done individually, not as a group project. A TAMUK faculty advisor is needed to oversee this project.
- Specific work product and deadlines are created for each semester. Students are required to follow the schedules
- Design meeting with Honors College staff in semester when 60 overall degree hours will be completed
Additional Requirements:
- Enroll in Honors UNIV 1101/1102
- Attend Honors College Orientation each fall (the day before classes start)
- Student must attend the TAMUK Etiquette Dinner and college professionalism workshops embedded in the UNIV 1101/1102 curriculum
- Attend the Honors College graduation meeting
- Attend the Academic Achievement Ceremony on Commencement Day
Honors College Requirements for Current/Transfer Students
To be accepted into the Honors College:
Time:
- Need a minimum of four semesters left at TAMUK before graduation (not counting the one when student applied)
- Have completed a minimum of 45 hours at TAMUK at the end of semester before graduation
Classes:
- Honors classes must be taken every semester either as an Honors section or through an Honors contract
- Complete a minimum of 12 Honors credits before graduation
- All Honors courses must be passed with a grade of “C” or higher
- If a student retakes a class previously done as an Honors class, it needs to redone as Honors to still count in the minimum number of Honors credit hours needed. The student can retake the class as an Honors section or an Honors contract.
Minimum GPA Requirements to Stay in the Honors College:
- Students with 1-30 institutional (TAMUK) credit hours must maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA.
- Students with 31-44 institutional credit hours must maintain a 3.25 institutional GPA.
- Students with a minimum of 45 institutional hours must maintain a 3.40 institutional GPA.
Honors Project:
Graduating from the Honors College requires the completion of a major project that is creative and/or research based. This independent project must be done individually, not as a group project. A TAMUK faculty advisor is needed to oversee this project.
- Specific work product and deadlines are created for each semester. Graduating students are required to follow the schedules
- Design meeting with Honors College staff in semester when 60 overall degree hours will be completed
Additional Requirements:
- Attend Honors College Orientation each fall (the day before classes start)
- Student must attend the TAMUK Etiquette Dinner before graduation
- Attend the Honors College graduation meeting
- Attend the Academic Achievement Ceremony on Commencement Day