Honors Program - Curriculum
The GovState curriculum encourages members of the GovState Honors College community to value integrity, critical thinking, and collaboration. As a student in the Honors College, you are encouraged to approach learning with an inclusive approach that supports the consideration of diverse perspectives. You will be ready to show the world what you can do, not just what you know! You will challenge yourself to become a leader because GovState Honors College is where exceptional leaders learn to lead.
GovState Honors College Curriculum Guide will help you establish a pathway to earn the necessary points to graduate.
The GovState curriculum encourages members of the GovState Honors College community to value integrity, critical thinking, and collaboration. As a student in the Honors College, you are encouraged to approach learning with an inclusive approach that supports the consideration of diverse perspectives. You will be ready to show the world what you can do, not just what you know! You will challenge yourself to become a leader because GovState Honors College is where exceptional leaders learn to lead.
A “capstone” is the final stone in a structure, the finishing touch, the culmination of an endeavor, and a crowning achievement. Students select between an internship, thesis, or project capstone option as part of this program, depending on the chosen sequence. Honors Capstone are worth 3 HP Points.
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 College. Honors courses are worth 1 HC Point per unit course.
Freshmen Honors Start Students Complete (all Gen Eds)
UNIV-1000 - First Year Seminar (1 unit/point, H Section)
FYS-1001- First Year Seminar (3 units/points, H Section)
ENGL-1000 - Writing Studies I (3 units/points, H Section)
ENGL-1010 - Writing Studies II (3 units/points, H Section)
COMM-1000 - Public Discourse (3 units/points, H Section)
HONS-2000 - ISBS: Cognitive Science (3 units/points)
*Honors students are exempt from completing honors gen ed courses they have credit for prior to joining the Honors College
All Honors Students Complete
HONS-3000 - Future Foundations in Honors (1 unit/Points)
Optional Course Options
HONS 4600 - Honors Seminar (3 units/Points)
HONS 4700 - Honors Independent Study (1-4 units/points)
HONS 4800 - Internship (1-4 units/points)
Honors contracts are designed to allow students to earn HC 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, a presentation at the GovState 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 HC dean. Honors courses are worth 1 or 2 HC points each depending on what is agreed to by the student and instructor. Students can earn a maximum of 4 HC points through research activities.
For HC Points – Contract approved by HC dean prior to beginning, contract requirements completed.
Study abroad opportunities allow students to study abroad in short-term (a few weeks) and long-term (a semester or year) intervals. These programs are either offered directly through GovState or through enrolling in another university’s study abroad program. Students earn 1 HC point for any study abroad experience completed abroad up to a maximum of 2 HC points.
For HC Points, Complete HC Verification Form.
HC Research opportunities encourage honors students to be involved in working on research presented beyond GovState. This can include research students complete in their own classes as well as research students work on with other faculty. Students earn 1 HC point for each paper authorship or presentation they are involved in at a regional level or GovState Research Days. Students earn 2 HC 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 HC points through research activities.
For HC Points – Complete HC Research Verification Form.
The GovState Honors College encourages students to go beyond earning a bachelors degree by earning minors, teaching specializations, double bachelor degrees. Students earn 1 HC point for completing a minor or teaching specialization and 2 HC points for completing a double major or dual degrees.
For HC Points – Provide a Degree Audit Report with evidence of program completion.
The GovState Honros College encourages students to participate in leadership activities across the GovState and South Suburban communities. The GovState Student Leadership Institute is designed to enhance your leadership skills, develop a leadership plan, and team you up with one of GovState’s community leaders to mentor you. You can also practice those skills in being a peer mentor for new freshman GovState Honors College students, as a Student Senator, Honors Student Advisory Board, or in other leadership capacities. Each leadership experience earn 1 HC point for each leadership opportunity completed. Students can earn a maximum of 2 HC points through leadership activities.
For HC Points – Provide evidence of completing leadership role or program.
The HC encourages students to apply for prestigious scholarships and fellowships. These are significant national and international scholarships with national application pools and rigorous application processes. It is an excellent opportunity to experience what it is like to apply for a high-stakes position. Several scholarships require campus endorsements. Scholarship winners often have a life changing learning opportunities domestically or abroad. One HC point is earned per campus endorsed or submitted applications for qualified scholarships valued at less than $10,000. Two HC points are earned per campus endorsed or submitted applications for qualified scholarships valued over $10,000. Students can earn a maximum of 4 HP points through prestigious scholarship opportunities.
For HC Points - Evidence of a qualified submitted or campus endorsed prestigious scholarship application.
The GovState Honors College encourages students to engage in professional development experiences beyond internship. These can include professional shadowing experiences, a professional organization membership, professional conference attendance related to a students’ field of study, student career focused organizations or other professional experiences approved by faculty in your degree of study. One HC point is earned per professional development experience of at least 10 hours in duration. Students can earn a maximum of 2 HC points through professional development experiences.
For HC Points — Provide evidence of involvement in the professional development experience and faculty support that the activity is a professional development experience.
Get More Information!
- David Rhea
- GovState Honors College
- Governors State University 1 University Parkway University Park, IL 60484
- (708) 534-4392
- drhea@govst.edu