University Honors Program

Director: Monika E. Gross

Mission

The University Honors Program is designed to provide a value-added learning experience to academically talented undergraduate students through a series of complementary and coordinated programs. Designed to stimulate students to their fullest potential in academic excellence and leadership, the Program nurtures those students who aspire to become academicians, business men and women, professionals in law and medicine, and public servants.

Academic Components

• Rigorous intellectual challenge in special honors sections.
• Opportunity to earn honors credit by undertaking approved honors projects.
• Notation on the transcript of all honors work.
• Designation on transcript of “Honors Scholar” for completion of 24 honors credits.

Administrative Component

• Availability of staff members who are familiar with advisement, record keeping, monitoring students’ progress, and setting the overall tone of the program.

Cultural Components

• Honors Student Organization to foster leadership among students in the Honors Program.
• Special Events Committee to plan trips, social activities, and newsletters.
• Honors library and study room especially for honors students’ use.
• Special arrangements for interviews with potential employers.
• Recognition at Honors Convocation.
• Opportunity to attend national, regional, statewide, and local activities.
• An honors residential facility, designed to foster an intellectually stimulating environment.

Application

Admission to the Honors Program is competitive. Matriculating students, both full and part-time, who meet the criteria, may be admitted to the program.

Incoming freshmen may apply if they meet the following criteria:

• Combined SAT score of 1100 or higher, and
• Cumulative Grade Point Average of 3.3 or higher.

Transfer students may apply if they have completed at least 15 semester hours, have at least four semesters remaining in college, and meet at least one of the following criteria:

• Good standing in an honors program in current or prior college;
• Cumulative grade point average of 3.5 in college; or
• 3.5 grade point average in the last 24 semester hours taken in college.

Current students at Bowie State University may apply if they have completed at least 15 semester hours, have at least four semesters remaining in college, and meet at least one of the following criteria:

• Cumulative grade point average of 3.3 at Bowie State University; or
• 3.3grade point average in the last 24 semester hours taken at Bowie State.

Application Procedure

Obtain an application packet from the Director of the University Honors Program:

Complete the application form and return it to:

Director, University Honors Program
Thurgood Marshall Library, Suite 279D
Bowie State University
Bowie, Maryland 20715

Have the required reference forms returned directly to the Director, as detailed in the application packet, and complete an interview with the Honors Committee or its designee.

Academic Expectations

Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.3 in order to remain in good standing in the Program. Students who fail to maintain a GPA of 3.3 for more than one semester will be withdrawn from the Program.