Honors Program Curriculum

Each year students are in the honors program, they must complete an experimental experience. These experiences are meant to help HP students engage the GSU and South Suburban Communities. These curricular and co-curricular should help foster leadership skills and personal development for the student, university and global community. 

Honors courses are meant to provide high-impact, challenging learning experiences that encourage experimental and experiential learning techniques. These courses should take concepts students are working on in the regular curriculum and encourage advanced, enriched level application of these concepts. Honors courses are taught by faculty specifically selected to work with honors students who can help you with your development in the honors program. Honors courses are worth 1 HP Point for a 1 or 2-unit course; 2 HP points for a 3 or 4-unit course.

For HP POINTS – Complete course with "C" or better. Submit transcript with final grade.

Honors contracts are designed to allow students to earn HP points in non-honors courses. These can be utilized in major courses, minor courses, or upper-division electives. A course contract involves the completion of a project, research paper, or similar equivalent that is designed to enrich the learning experience occurring in the classroom. These projects may provide opportunities for applying for undergraduate research grants, presentation at the GSU Student Research Conference or other regional and national events. Honors Students may complete up to two contracts for honors credit without special permission from the HP director. Honors courses are worth 1 or 2 HP points each depending on what is agreed to by the student and instructor. Students can earn a maximum of 4 HP points through research activities. 

 For HP Points – Contract approved by HP director prior to beginning, contract requirements completed. 

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD COURSE CONTRACT PROPOSAL

Study abroad opportunities allow students to study abroad in short-term (a few weeks) and longer term (a semester or year). These programs are either offered directly through Governors State or through enrolling in another university’s study abroad program. Students earn 1 HP point for any course completed abroad up to a maximum of 2 HP points. 

For HP Points – Complete HP Abroad Verification Form.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD STUDY ABROAD FORM

HP Research opportunities encourage honors students to be involved in working on research presented beyond Governors State University. This can include research students complete in their own classes as well as research students work on with other faculty. Students earn 1 HP point for each paper authorship or presentation they are involved in at a regional level or the National Collegiate Honors Council. Students earn 2 HP points for each paper authorship or presentation they are involved in at a national level, the National Council for Undergraduate Research, or a scholarly journal. Students can earn a maximum of 4 HP points through research activities. 

For HP Points – Complete HP Research Verification Form.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD HONORS RESEARCH PROPOSAL

The GSU Honors Program encourages students to go beyond earning a bachelors degree by earning minors, double majors and dual degrees. Students earn 1 HP point for completing a minor or 2 HP points for completing a double major or dual degrees. 

For HP Points – Provide a Degree Audit Report with evidence of program completion.

HP encourages students to participate in leadership activities across the GSU and the South Suburban Community. The GSU Student Leadership Institute is designed to enhance your leadership skills, develop a leadership plan and team you up with one of GSU’s community leaders to mentor you. You can also practice those skills in being a peer mentor for new freshman Honors Program students, as a Student Senator, Honors Student Advisory Board, or in other leadership capacities. Your first leadership experience satisfies your HP Leadership Experience Requirement. Subsequent leadership experiences earn 1 HP point for each leadership opportunity completed. Students can earn a maximum of 2 HP points through leadership activities. 

For HP Points – Provide evidence of completing leadership role or program.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD HP LEADERSHIP GUIDE