Discover Your Edge | MTSU Honors College

Elevate Your Academic Experience at Middle Tennessee State University Honors College

Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) offers students an enhanced educational experience that actively expands their potential, curiosity, and career opportunities.

Moreover, the University Honors College is a top honors program that provides unique and enriching learning experiences. This includes face-to-face interactions with prominent guest speakers from diverse fields such as academia, science, business, politics, art, and religion. Additionally, with a strong focus on undergraduate research, MTSU Honors students consistently make significant contributions both locally in Tennessee and globally, preparing them for successful futures.

What makes MTSU Honors College unique?

Becoming an Honors student reflects academic excellence, high aspirations, and dedication. Consequently, the Honors program regards its students as some of the most elite and motivated individuals. Furthermore, they actively strive to maximize their college experience. As a result, Honors College students consistently demonstrate leadership, academic achievement, and a commitment to making a positive impact.

Opportunities for Cultural and Academic Enrichment

Founded in 1973, the MTSU Honors Program has grown into a full-fledged Honors College with its own building. This remarkable growth is largely thanks to generous donations from alumni and friends. Consequently, the College now offers an Honors minor and has produced numerous prestigious award winners, including:

• Fulbright Awards
• Goldwater Scholarships
• Selection for Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REUs)
• Finalists for the Rhodes Scholarship, Marshall Scholarship, and Udall Award
• Recipients of Phi Kappa Phi, Omicron Delta Kappa, Boren Scholarships, Gilman Scholarships, JET Program, and Critical Language Scholarships

Furthermore, Honors students actively participate in study abroad programs and present their scholarly research at national and international conferences with full support, including trips to historically, scientifically, and culturally significant locations. These trips enrich students’ perspectives.

A Thriving Honors Community

The MTSU Honors College offers a comprehensive liberal arts education within the dynamic setting of a major university, combining the best of both worlds. Students benefit from small, engaging classes taught by expert faculty, a nurturing academic environment that encourages growth, and the free exchange of ideas across disciplines. Our mission is to provide a high-quality, value-driven undergraduate education tailored to a small yet diverse student population. This population consistently demonstrates a deep commitment to scholarship, creative activity, and intellectual curiosity.

In addition to Buchanan Fellowships, we proudly offer Transfer Fellowships and other awards to support eligible students. Last year alone, over 80 Honors students completed rigorous theses and graduated with distinction, further advancing their academic and professional careers while making meaningful contributions to their fields.

Publications and Scholarly Involvement

The Honors College is home to award-winning publications, including:

• Areté, a literary magazine
• Scientia et Humanitas, an interdisciplinary journal of undergraduate and graduate research
• Collage: A Journal of Creative Expression

Our students actively contribute to these publications, gaining valuable experience in writing, editing, and research. We also collaborate closely with the Honors Ambassadors, Omicron Delta Kappa, and Phi Kappa Phi to promote student leadership and scholarly excellence.

Join a community of scholars and creators at the MTSU University Honors College. Here, we work diligently to support and advance the academic and professional goals of our students.

Dr. John R. Vile
Dean, University Honors College