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Honors Courses

Each year we offer approximately 300 sections of Honors courses, in classes averaging 20 students and generally capping at 25 students. Honors courses are designed to match the abilities of Honors students and emphasize quality and academic rigor.

Most Honors students take one or two Honors courses each semester or approved upper-level courses. To search for Honors courses offered by term, click on the class search page of the student information system.

Honors Embedded (HE) Courses

In an Honors-embedded (HE) course, Honors students attend a non-Honors class and work individually with the professor on special projects. The nature of these projects will vary across courses and professors. HE courses are designated in the Schedule of Classes, and students must receive instructor permission for enrollment in the Honors option. In general, HE courses count for Honors requirement, but students should confirm with their Honors advisor.

Advising

With over 13,000 courses to choose from, how do you decide what to schedule each semester; whom can you look to for help? There are a number of resources available for you to take advantage of, including fellow students and the staff of the Honors & Scholars Center. However, your most knowledgeable resources when it comes to scheduling courses will be your Honors Advisors. Every Honors student has, at minimum, two Honors Advisors. Generally, you’ll find out who your Honors Advisors are during your Autumn Semester College Survey course.

College Honors Advisors

Your college Honors Advisor will most likely be a staff person whose full-time job is to advise students. Talk to your college Honors Advisor about meeting general education curriculum requirements or those courses designed to give you a broad, liberal arts background. They will also advise you on requirements for graduation from Ohio State with honors in your discipline.

Faculty Honors Advisors

Your departmental Honors Advisor will most likely be a faculty member whose primary job responsibilities include teaching and conducting research in his or her field of study. Talk to your faculty Honors Advisor about satisfying those requirements that are specific to your major area of study, which may include a senior honors thesis.

College Honors

Most students are invited to join the Honors Program as incoming freshmen based on their university application. Transfer students and current Ohio State students who are interested in applying to the Honors Program should contact their college honors director, whose contact information is listed in the links below.

Regional Campus Honors Programs

Graduating with Honors

Students (Honors or not) graduate with Latin Honors when their cumulative grade point average (gpa) is 3.5 or higher. Some majors have additional requirements. Check with your college office for specifics.

  • Graduation Cum laude: 3.5-3.69 gpa
  • Graduation Magna cum laude: 3.7-3.89 gpa
  • Graduation Summa cum laude: 3.9 gpa and above

In addition to graduation with Latin Honors, Honors students may graduate with:

  • Honors in the discipline (e.g., Honors in the Arts & Sciences, Engineering, Health and Rehabilitation Services) by completing the requirements for their college honors program
  • Honors Research Distinction by completing an honors thesis
  • Honors in the discipline and with honors research distinction by completing both.

Check with your college office for specifics.

Prestigious Fellowships

Students at The Ohio State University are competitive in every arena and rank among the nation’s best. Our Undergraduate Fellowship office assists all interested undergraduates in preparing for national scholarships and fellowships during their tenure at OSU. These awards include the Rhodes, Marshall, Truman, and Goldwater Scholarships, as well as Fulbright grants and the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships.

Although these awards will usually be for graduate study, interested students should start preparing and informing themselves early. Many prestigious scholarships and fellowships require institutional endorsement and the Undergraduate Fellowship office directly oversees this process. These particular scholarships and fellowships involve a university–wide competition and selection process to identify suitable candidates to be forwarded to the national competitions. Please visit our website for information on these competitions and student preparation resources.

Scholars Programs

Advocates for Children and Education Scholars
Recognize the variety of critical issues facing children in today‘s society and learn strategies to advocate for change.

Architecture Scholars
Weigh the architectural, landscape architectural, and city and regional planning design professions within the Knowlton School of Architecture.

Arts Scholars
Create an arts focused community for intellectual, social and civic development.

Biological Sciences Scholars
Gain exposure to research opportunities while exploring diverse career pathways in the biological sciences.

Business Scholars
Examine business, its practice and its environment at the Fisher College of Business.

Engineering Scholars
Contemplate the adoption of socially responsible practices and explore professional opportunities in the expanding field of green engineering.

Environment and Natural Resources Scholars
Analyze and appreciate global environmental issues while exploring the natural world that surrounds us.

Health Sciences Scholars
Investigate career opportunities in health sciences and health care.

Humanities Scholars
Engage in the fields of literature, languages, philosophy, history and culture.

International Affairs Scholars
Explore world affairs, global themes, diplomacy and venture abroad.

Media, Marketing and Communication Scholars
Develop expertise in technological skills and get hands on experience experimenting with today‘s cutting-edge digital media.

Mount Leadership Society
Cultivate leadership skills and commit to community service.

Politics, Society, and Law Scholars
Focus on current political and legal issues in society while exploring educational and professional career options.

Sport and Wellness Scholars
Participate in progressive learning experiences related to the importance of sport in our society and create lifestyles that value activity and health.

Scholars Advising

With over 13,000 courses to choose from, how do you decide what to schedule each quarter? There are a number of resources available for you.

Scholars Program Coordinators

Some of the professional staff leading Scholars Programs also serve as academic advisors on campus. You will meet regularly with your Scholars Coordinator to discuss your academic progress and career goals. In addition, all Scholars Coordinators work together to connect you with an array of academic resources such as faculty advisors, career counselors, and support areas such as the Younkin Success Center, the Undergraduate Research Office and the Honors Collegium to name a few.

Graduating with Honors

Students (Honors or not) graduate with Latin Honors when their cumulative grade point average (gpa) is 3.5 or higher. Some majors have additional requirements. Check with your college office for specifics.

  • Graduation Cum laude: 3.5-3.69 gpa
  • Graduation Magna cum laude: 3.7-3.89 gpa
  • Graduation Summa cum laude: 3.9 gpa and above

In addition to graduation with Latin Honors, Honors students may graduate with:

  • Honors in the discipline (e.g., Honors in the Arts & Sciences, Engineering, Allied Medical Professions) by completing the requirements for their college honors program
  • Distinction by completing an honors thesis
  • Honors in the discipline and with distinction by completing both.

Check with your college office for specifics.

Prestigious Fellowships

Students at The Ohio State University are competitive in every arena and rank among the nation’s best. The Undergraduate Fellowship office assists all interested undergraduates in preparing for national scholarships and fellowships during their tenure at OSU. These awards include the Rhodes, Marshall, Truman, and Goldwater Scholarships, as well as Fulbright grants and the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships.

Although these awards will usually be for graduate study, interested students should start preparing and informing themselves early. Many prestigious scholarships and fellowships require institutional endorsement and the Undergraduate Fellowship office directly oversees this process. These particular scholarships and fellowships involve a university–wide competition and selection process to identify suitable candidates to be forwarded to the national competitions. Please visit our website for information on these competitions and student preparation resources.

Scholars Annual Report

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2008-09 Scholars Annual Report
Scholars Annual Report