Honors Program Requirements | Shenandoah University

Fall 2021 First-Year Students

Fall 2021 CAS Honors Applicants are invited to submit applications by the following dates:

November 2, 2020 to be considered for the November 13, 2020 interview date.
January 4, 2021 to be considered for the January 15, 2021 interview date.
January 25, 2021 to be considered for the February 5, 2021 interview date.
February 15, 2021 to be considered for the February 26, 2021 interview date.

CAS Honors applicants are encouraged to complete the Shenandoah University application prior to submitting the Honors Program supplemental application. Upon review of the Honors Program supplemental application, qualified students will be invited to an on campus interview (dates listed above). Select students will then be invited to join the CAS Honors Program and will be eligible to take honors courses in their first semester at SU. The Fall 2021 Honors Program supplemental application information is below. If you have any questions please contact the Honors Program director, Laurel Rodgers at lrodgers2@su.edu.

A complete application will include the following:

A letter of recommendation from one of your high school teachers.
Two essays (see essay prompts below). The essays focus on your academic experience and creativity. Each essay should be a maximum of 500 words and must be entirely your own work/in your own words.
- Essay 1: What class most influenced your high school education and why?
- Essay 2: Choose one of the following two essay options.
  - Option A: You need to hide a body. Why do you need to hide a body and who would you ask to help?
  - Option B: If you wanted people to understand you, what would you give them to read, watch, and listen to. Explain each choice.

Fall 2021 First-Year Students CAS Honors Application

Requirements to join the Honors Program

Incoming Freshmen

All motivated incoming CAS freshmen are invited to apply to the College of Arts and Sciences Honors Program. While we do review GPA and test scores, invitations are based on the entire application, with emphasis on the two essays and the letter of recommendation. Upon evaluation of application materials, the Honors Council will invite students to complete an interview process. A select group of students will be invited to join the program based on their honors admissions essay, interview, letters of recommendation and prior academic performance.

We will hold four online information sessions over the next few months for prospective students and their parents. Each information session begins at 6:00PM with an introduction from the CAS Dean, the Honors Program Director, and current Honors students. At 6:30PM we will break out into smaller groups for participants to ask questions of the Honors Program Director and current Honors students. If you are interested in attending, please complete the registration form linked below.

Incoming Transfer Students

The CAS Honors Program has developed Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) with area colleges in order to simplify the transfer process into our Honors Program. A list of those schools and the articulation agreements are below. Please indicate on your CAS Honors Program application if you are transferring from one of these schools and are participating in their Honors Program. If you are not currently in an Honors Program, but are interested in transferring into our program, please contact Dr. Laurel Rodgers, the CAS Honors Program director. She will be able to determine whether you qualify for our program and whether you would be able to complete the program prior to graduating from Shenandoah University. Transfer student applications will be reviewed as they are submitted and qualified students will be invited for an interview.

CAS Honors Program Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs):

Current Shenandoah University Students

All CAS students with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 are eligible to complete honors courses. These courses will be marked as honors classes on your transcript. Current Freshmen have the opportunity to apply during the spring semester to join the CAS Honors program in their second year at SU. A completed application needs to be submitted by email to Dr. Laurel Rodgers (lrodgers2@su.edu) by 5:00PM on February 26, 2021. The application must include one letter of recommendation from a Shenandoah University faculty member, a cover page, a copy of your resume, and the two required essays. Application materials can be found below. Upon review of all applications, qualified students will be invited to an interview on March 20, 2021. Please direct all questions to the program director, Dr. Laurel Rodgers.

Current Shenandoah University Student CAS Honors Program Application

Honors Program Faculty Recommendation Form

Part-time students

Part-time students are eligible to apply to the CAS Honors Program and, if accepted, will be allowed to progress at a slower pace through the honors curriculum than full-time students. Part-time students are highly encouraged to meet with the Honors Program Director prior to applying to the program.

Requirements to remain within the Honors Program

To remain within the Honors Program all students must maintain a minimum overall GPA of 3.5 at the end of each academic year. Students who fall below the 3.5 GPA will be allowed one probationary semester. Students who fail to demonstrate adequate progress toward the minimum GPA or completion of Honors Program course requirements will be removed from the program. All students must also maintain good academic and social standing as defined by the academic catalog; a single infraction may result in the removal from the program.

Requirements to Complete the Honors Program

Upon graduation from Shenandoah University, students will be acknowledged for completing the College of Arts and Sciences Honors Program if they have completed the following honors courses with a grade of a B- or better:

6 credits of Honors General Education courses
6 credits of Honors courses in a student’s declared major
3 credits of Honors seminars (HON 101, HON 201, HON 301)

15 credits total

One course cannot be applied to both the General Education and the student’s declared Major category. A maximum of two graduate or cross-listed undergraduate/graduate courses may be applied toward a student’s honors certificate.