Honors Program

The Honors Program at Winston-Salem State University offers academically talented students a well-rounded education that combines academic studies with scholarly research, leadership development, and service to the community. Through an intensive curriculum and a variety of leadership opportunities, students in the Honors Program at WSSU receive the best education possible while preparing for graduate studies or a career. The Honors Program provides the additional advantages of faculty research mentors, peer mentors, specialized academic support, and cultural enrichment activities.

The Honors Program challenges honors students to maintain a high standard of excellence. Special activities, programs, and opportunities are offered that enable the honors students to acquire and maintain the skills for intellectual development, leadership development, and service to the community. The curriculum is designed to train students in critical thinking and independent research. Program features and activities include the following:

Honors Seminars
Faculty Research Mentors
Leadership Development Series
Student Honors Organization (SHO)
Volunteer Service Projects
Honors Study Abroad Experiences
Honors Housing (Rams Commons Residence Hall)
Local, Regional and National Honors Conferences
Internships
Honors Computer Lab and Resource Library
Honors Newsletter, The Advantage

The Honors Program provides scholars with a relevant, challenging, rewarding experience. It promotes a lifelong, disciplined approach to knowledge and scholarship through inquiry and exploration. Through quality educational experiences and co-curricular activities, scholars are prepared to be creative and critical-thinking leaders in their professions and communities.

Admission to the Honors Program

Entering Freshmen
Incoming freshmen who receive institutional scholarships are offered full admission into the Honors Program upon admission to WSSU. (Institutional scholarships include the following: Chancellor, Achievement, Bass, and STEM.) These scholars participate in the research mentoring program. Incoming freshmen who do not receive institutional scholarships may apply to the Honors Program after their first semester.

Continuing freshmen, Sophomores and Juniors

Continuing freshmen, sophomores and juniors may be offered associate admission to the Honors Program at WSSU. Students who have completed at least 15 hours of college work at WSSU and earned a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 may file formal application for admission to the program by submitting an application, an essay and two faculty recommendations.

Continuance in the Honors Program

Students in the Honors Program are expected to be disciplined to the strenuous demands of the academy. All students in the program must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or above. Students whose GPAs fall below 3.2 will be allowed one semester to bring the GPA up to the required level. Additionally, students in the Honors Program must adhere to the following criteria:

complete a minimum of 15 volunteer service hours each semester they matriculate
participate in at least one internship or experiential learning activity
participate in leadership activities and programs sponsored by the university
attend honors conferences
participate in academic and cultural enrichment activities planned by the Honors Program
enroll in honors seminars (where applicable)

Honors Awards

Winston-Salem State University offers two honors awards General Honors and Departmental Honors.

General Honors Award Requirements:

1. Fifteen (15) hours of general education honors courses from at least two disciplines; 6 hours at the sophomore level

2. Freshman Honors Seminar and Sophomore Honors Colloquia/Seminars

3. Minimum overall grade point average of 3.25 in honors courses

4. Beginning foreign language or exemption

5. One computer course or proficiency

6. Full admission to the Honors Program

Departmental Honors Award Requirements:

1. Eighteen (18) hours of junior and senior level honors courses.

2. Nine (9) hours in the major discipline.

3. Grades of A and B in all honors courses.

4. Junior and Senior Honors Colloquia.

5. Honors Thesis, Research/Creative Project.