The 2023-24 academic year is the 50-year anniversary of the University Honors College at MTSU! Founded in 1973, the Honors Program has developed into a college with an honors minor, and our very own building, thanks to generous donations from alumni and friends.

While the physical facilities have improved immensely, the College maintains its mission of providing an undergraduate education of exceptional quality and value to a small but diverse student population deeply committed to scholarship and creative activity. To fulfill this mission, the College fosters the academic excellence and nurturing environment of a small, select, liberal arts college within the setting and with the resources of a major university. The free exchange of ideas and the opportunity to learn from one another in small classes taught by expert faculty make the Honors College experience rich and meaningful.

We offer Buchanan Fellowships, Honors Transfer Fellowships, and other awards to students who would like to join us, and we, in turn, work diligently to advance the careers of students who are here.

Since 2008, students have won numerous Fulbright Awards, Goldwater Scholarships, and selection for summer Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REUs). Our honors students have been finalists for Rhodes and Marshall Scholarships, the Udall Award, and many have won Phi Kappa Phi, Omicron Delta Kappa, Boren, Gilman, and Critical Language scholarships.

The College supports students who want to study abroad as well as those who want to present their scholarly research. Last year, more than 80 students wrote theses and graduated with honors.

Home to an award-winning literary magazine, Areté, and an interdisciplinary journal of undergraduate and graduate research, Scientia et Humanitas, we work closely with our Honors Ambassadors, as well as the Omicron Delta Kappa and The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi.

We welcome visits by high school and transfer students interested in finding out about the numerous opportunities we offer. We would be delighted to have you as our guest!

Dr. John R. Vile
Dean, University Honors College

Video: Goldwater Winner and Honors Transfer Fellow Yaseen Ginnab | Why I Chose MTSU