Advising Information

To receive early registration approval, all new Honors students must attend one of the Honors Advising New Student Workshops or watch the New Student Video.

Ideally, we strongly encourage you to attend a workshop in person, as it gives us the opportunity to get to know you better and offer a deeper look into the Honors College experience. However, if scheduling conflicts make in-person attendance impossible, you may watch the video linked below as an alternative.

At the end of the video, you’ll complete a short form to verify you’ve met this requirement.

Please note: Students who do not attend a workshop or watch the video will not be reviewed or approved for early registration. If you have questions or concerns about meeting this advising requirement, don’t hesitate to contact your Honors advisor.

In Person Workshops – New Student Information
Pick one time, RSVP not required

If you’re unable to attend a workshop, be sure to watch the video below. Afterward, complete the confirmation form and submit the required course information to finalize your advising requirement.

The form for the video will activate on August 20 and remain active until September 22.

If you would like to receive Honors hours for qualifying AP, IB, or Governor’s school credit, you must fill out the appropriate paperwork which will be available at the workshops or through the video form.

Following your workshop attendance or confirmation of watching the video, an honors advisor will review your status in Honors and decide on your early registration approval. If we need more information from you before deciding, you will be contacted through your MTSU email account.

To receive early registration approval, students must attend one of the listed information days or watch the Thesis Workshop video by September 22, 2025, and complete the early registration approval form available within the interactive video. If students miss this deadline, the Honors College will not review or approve their early registration.

Although students can schedule appointments with their Honors advisor anytime during the semester, the Honors College processes early registration approvals only through in-person workshops or by watching the video and submitting the form.

If you have questions about the video requirement or need accommodations to view it, please contact your Honors advisor.

The form for the video will activate on August 20 and remain active until September 22.

15 hours of any level Honors coursework, which can include any of the following options: 

• Any 1000-4000 level Honors courses
• A maximum of two honors contracts*
• Approved study abroad credits (up to 9 hours total), internship credits (up to 6 hours total), or research credits (up to 6 hours total)*
• Can include up to 9 hours of the following: AP credits with scores of 4 or 5; Governor’s School credit with a grade of A; and approved IB credits
• Can include 3 hours of ACT/SAT credit for ENGL 1010
• UH 3000 can be taken up to 3 times if needed
• 1-hr Collage (UH 3001) can be taken up to 3 times if needed 

8 hours of upper-division Honors coursework, which is broken down into the specific courses below:

• 3 hours of UH 3500, UH 4010 (Institute of Leadership Excellence), any 3000/4000 level Honors course, an approved Honors Contract, approved study abroad, approved internship, or approved research credits*.
• 1 hour of UH 3000 – Lecture Series, UH 3200 – Visiting Artist Seminar, or ENGL 3635 – Creative Writing Event Series
• 1 hour of UH 4900 – Thesis Tutorial
• 3 hours of UH 4950 – Honors Senior Independent Study Research or Creative Project (Thesis)

You may count up to 2 Honors contracts, nine study abroad credits, and 6 internship or research hours toward your Honors requirements. You can apply these credits to either the first or second section, or split them between the two. Be sure to review how you plan to use these hours with your Honors advisor. An approval is required for all study abroad, internship, and research credits.

If you plan to graduate from the Honors College or complete the Honors Associate—which includes upper-division Honors requirements and a thesis—you’ll need to declare an Honors Minor.

Choose Your Path:

• Full Honors Minor (23 hours): Required to officially graduate from the Honors College.
• Honors Associate Minor (15 hours*): Designed for transfer students or those who join the Honors College later in their academic journey and can’t complete all 23 hours.

Important: Students who complete only the Honors Associate will not receive the “Graduated from the University Honors College” designation on their diploma or transcript and will not qualify for Honors College cords at graduation.

What You Need to Know

• You can declare multiple minors. However, starting Summer 2024, Course Program of Study (CPoS) restrictions may affect your financial aid if any declared minor doesn’t align with your degree program.
• The Honors minor cannot replace a minor required by your major. If you want to use it as your only minor, talk with your major advisor to see if additional coursework will be necessary.
• The good news? All Honors minor courses can double count toward other degree requirements! Most students only need to add 5–8 unique credit hours to complete an Honors minor—and those may count as general electives.

When and How to Declare

You’ll declare the Honors minor by completing a short online form once you enroll in any upper-division UH course, such as:

• UH 3000
• UH 3500
• UH 4010
• UH 4900
• UH 4950

Questions?

Your Honors advisor is your go-to resource for anything related to the Honors minor, including course planning, CPoS concerns, and eligibility questions.

*The Honors Associate minor officially requires 15 hours, but up to 4 of those hours can come from non-Honors courses. In other words, we’ll allow some “double dipping.” You’ll still need to complete at least 11 hours of true Honors coursework to meet the requirements.

The Honors Associate Minor requires 11 hours of honors coursework, as listed below. This minor is available to transfer students or continuing students who want to complete the Honors thesis but need more honors hours to complete the additional 12 hours required in the full minor.

11 hours of Honors coursework, which is broken down into the specific courses below:

• 3 hours of any level Honors course, an approved Honors Contract, approved study abroad, approved internship, or approved research hours*.
• 3 hours of Interdisciplinary Seminar. Fulfilled by taking UH 3500, UH 3900 (Transfer Fellows only), or UH 4010 (Institute of Leadership Excellence); or an approved study abroad, internship, or research course. Contracts may also be considered under special circumstances.*
• 1 hour of UH 3000 – Lecture Series, UH 3200 – Visiting Artist Seminar, or ENGL 3635 – Creative Writing Event Series
• 1 hour of UH 4900 – Thesis Tutorial
• 3 hours of UH 4950 – Honors Senior Independent Study Research or Creative Project (Thesis)

*A maximum of two honors contracts, six study abroad credits, and/or six internship/research hours may be counted towards your honors requirements. Please review the use of these hours with your honors advisor. All study abroad, internship, or research credits must be approved.

Typically, sophomores, juniors, and seniors complete honors contracts to complete their remaining outstanding Honors requirements. Freshmen should check with their Honors advisor first to see if they need a contract for the current semester.

The Honors contract form is located on the forms site and is an online form. It is due September 30 for Fall semesters and February 15 for Spring semesters.

• Students need to work out an agreement with an individual professor to complete extra work that will enhance their learning.
• Students may earn Honors credit by completing a non-Honors upper-division course (at the 3000 or 4000 level) or a 2000-level class that the Honors College never offers. Please check with an Honors advisor first to see if the class qualifies.
• Students must include a description of the honors component to the form and the professor must sign the form. 

You may use approved Internship or Research hours towards Honors Graduation (or the Honors Associate) requirements. Students must request approval for these hours by filling out an online form which is available on the forms site as an online form.

To substitute for Honors graduation requirements, internships or research opportunities must count for college credit and appear on your official MTSU transcript. First, arrange the internship or research experience through your major or minor department, then submit the Honors College approval form. You may also request consideration of other courses, such as practicums, clinical hours, or student teaching, for this category. Check with your Honors advisor to confirm which courses are eligible.

After final grades are submitted, your Honors advisor will evaluate the credits to determine how best to apply them toward the Honors minor. Approved credits may also fulfill the Honors Interdisciplinary Seminar requirement. You may use up to six (6) hours to substitute for honors graduation requirements.

We encourage Honors students to consider enrolling in the Institute of Leadership Excellence (UH 4010). You can substitute this course for the Interdisciplinary Seminar or apply it toward other Honors requirements.

• Learn more about ILE 
• Promotes leadership development, personal growth, and skill development
• Limited enrollment—must be nominated and apply
• Meets one week in May (beginning of summer semester). Monday-Friday,  9 a.m.—6 p.m. each day
• Regular summer tuition for 3 credit hours (they provide lunch and snacks)
• Email your honors advisor for more information

To register for UH 4900, you must complete the UH 4900 “Thesis Tutorial” form that requires a tentative topic and the signature of a faculty thesis director whom the student has selected. The UH 4900 form is on the forms site and is now an online form. It is titled “Thesis Tutorial”.

It is also recommended that you do the following:

• Read the thesis guide and other information found on the Honors thesis webpage.
• Meet with your honors advisor to make sure that you will fulfill all honors requirements before you graduate or to complete the Honors Associate requirements. To graduate from Honors, you need 15 hours of any-level honors classes and 8 hours of upper-division honors classes which includes: the lecture series (UH 3000), an interdisciplinary studies class (see options above), UH 4900, and UH 4950. The Honors Associate requires 11 hours, including the thesis. See further information about the Honors Minors above.
• Thesis Preparation Timeline (Fall prep for Spring enrollment).
• View completed theses for examples of what to expect.

The Honors College will use an online scholarship application form for students to apply for our scholarship opportunities. The applications will open on December 1 and will be available for Honors opportunities until February 1. You must be considered as “on track” and receive early registration approval each semester from the Honors College to be considered for Honors Scholarships. Please visit our scholarship site for additional information and instructions. 

Honors Ambassadors

Stay in the loop! Our Honors Ambassadors will keep you updated year-round with emails about exciting student activities and events they host.

Looking to build your leadership skills and make an impact? The Honors College Ambassador Program offers a dynamic opportunity for students who are passionate about serving and representing the University Honors College at MTSU. As an Honors Ambassador, you’ll take on a visible role—welcoming prospective students and families, connecting with alumni, engaging with current students, and collaborating with faculty, staff, and university leaders.

Ready to lead and represent the best of the Honors College? Email uhc@mtsu.edu to learn how you can become an Honors Ambassador!

Honors Spotlight Podcast

Honors Spotlight is the official podcast of the MTSU Honors College. Through in-depth interviews, creative storytelling, and campus conversations, we illuminate the journeys of students, faculty, and alumni who exemplify curiosity, leadership, and personal growth. From thesis projects to global adventures, each episode offers a thoughtful glimpse into the many dimensions of Honors life. It is designed to inspire, connect, and celebrate the community at MTSU.

Omicron Delta Kappa Honor Society

OΔK is the only national college honor society to recognize and honor meritorious leadership and service in extracurricular activities and to encourage the development of general campus citizenship.  Students must have a 3.5 cumulative GPA and contact uhc@mtsu.edu for more information.  

Collage

Collage: A Journal of Creative Expression is run by a student editor composed exclusively of students. The journal serves both as an outlet for the creative works of MTSU students and as a laboratory for those interested in publication and art criticism. Students can also take Collage as a 1-credit hour Honors class. 

For more information, contact collage@mtsu.edu.

Scientia et Humanitas

Scientia et Humanitas is MTSU’s research journal showcasing the best in undergraduate and graduate scholarship. Sponsored by the University Honors College, the journal aims to disseminate important research conducted by MTSU’s student body and to provide an opportunity for students to participate in the publication of that research while promoting interdepartmental faculty and student collaboration. By spotlighting students’ accomplishments, the journal also serves as a potent public relations tool both on and off campus. 

For more information, contact scientia@mtsu.edu.  

Undergraduate Fellowships Office

The Undergraduate Fellowships Office (UFO) can help students find prestigious scholarships, grants, and awards. We offer transformative opportunities that foster academic, professional, and personal growth. We aim to develop global perspectives and leadership skills, preparing students to thrive and contribute meaningfully to their communities and fields.

For more information, contact Laura.Clippard@mtsu.edu.

Students who complete at least 15 hours of Honors courses qualify for an Honors Certificate. While the certificate does not appear on the MTSU transcript and does not count as a minor, it recognizes your achievement in completing the first portion of the Honors requirements. The certificate also encourages you to continue toward the upper-division requirements, including the thesis.

If you choose not to complete a thesis, you can still list the Honors Certificate on resumes or applications to highlight your involvement with the Honors College. We print paper certificates only upon request, and students must pick them up in person. To request a certificate, simply complete the Honors Certificate Request form. (Submit online, use Pipeline username and password to log into the form.)