Frequently Asked Questions

There is not a separate application to join the Honors College. If you have been admitted to MTSU and you qualify as an entering freshman (3.50 high school GPA and 25 or higher ACT or 1200 SAT) you are automatically eligible to take Honors courses. If you do not qualify initially, once you establish a college GPA of 3.25 or higher, you will be eligible to take Honors courses. 

Any entering freshman with a high school GPA 3.5 or higher and an ACT composite score 25 or higher (1200 SAT) may register for Honors classes. There is not a separate application process. Students must maintain an overall college GPA of 3.25 to continue to take Honors classes. Transfer students or established MTSU students who have completed at least 12 semester hours may enroll in Honors courses if their overall college GPA is 3.25 or higher.

The benefits of Honors courses include:

• Unique curricular and extra-curricular experiences (Collage, Scientia et Humanitas, Honors Ambassadors, etc.)
• Specially designed General Education courses
• Interdisciplinary Seminars
• Study Abroad Honors credit
• Honors Lecture Series
• Undergraduate Research
• Early Priority Registration
• Dedicated faculty who enjoy working with bright, inquisitive students
• Honors students qualify for residence in the Honors Living and Learning Center
• Competitive edge for admission into prestigious graduate schools
• Special diploma and other recognition
• Limited class sizes (20 for lower-division; 15 for upper-division)

Honors credit may be earned in many ways:

• Any lower- or upper-division class designated with an "H" in the section number
• Advanced Placement (AP) classes with a score of 4 or 5 (up to nine hours)
• Governor's School with a grade of "A" (up to three hours) - if claimed, then only six hours of AP credit may be counted
• International Baccalaureate (IB), with a score one point higher than MTSU requirement (three hours)
  (NOTE: a maximum of nine hours in any combination of AP, IB, and/or Governor's School may apply toward the lower-division Honors requirement)
• Study Abroad, up to nine hours (must have approval prior to trip)
• Internships, or research subtitution, up to six hours (must have approval at the beginning of the semester enrolled)
• Honors Contracts (no more than two classes)

Graduation requirements include:

• 18 hours lower-division (1000/2000 level) Honors coursework
• 11 hours upper-division (3000/4000 level) Honors coursework to include:
  • three-hours of any upper division honors course or honors contract
  • three-hours of Interdisciplinary Seminar or approved substitution
  • one-hour of Honors Lecture Series
  • one-hour Thesis Tutorial
  • three-hours Thesis Project 

Honors students are eligible to be considered for early priority registration approval if they take Honors courses on a regular basis and attend an honors advising workshop every semester by the posted deadline. Students must also maintain a 3.25 GPA and be on track to complete one of the Honors College's minors requirements.  Early Priority Registration means you may register before everyone else, including seniors.

If there are no upper-division courses in your major, then Honors credit may be earned by creating an Honors Contract with the professor teaching a regular course. Such an agreement must include a specific, measurable component that other students in the class are not doing. For more information on the procedure and the application, click here.

Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, and Suma Cum Laude are awarded based strictly on GPA upon graduation. Graduation from the Honors College is an additional distinction awarded to students who have completed the necessary Honors coursework, including the thesis, and a have a cumulative 3.25 GPA.

Yes, but space is limited in the Honors Living and Learning Community in Lyon Hall. Contact Housing and Residential Life at (615) 898-2971 to check availability.

In general, qualified students are encouraged to join a national honor society and at least one other honor society within their major. The Honors College is a sponsor of Phi Kappa Phi and Omicron Delta Kappa, but makes no specific recommendations about honors societies. Many honor societies sponsor worthy activities. It might be far better to join one or two honor societies and be an active member than to join many simply to add lines to one's resume.

A list of honor societies that are registered with MTSU can be found at the Student Organization website.

The Undergraduate Fellowships Office (UFO) is housed in the Honors College, Room 227. For more information on Fulbright, Goldwater, Truman, and a host of other prestigious national scholarships and fellowships, call Ms. Laura Clippard, at 615-898-5464, or visit the UFO website.

The Buchanan Fellowship is the highest award given to an entering student at MTSU. A minimum ACT score of 30 (SAT 1360) and a minimum 3.5 GPA is required for consideration. Buchanan Fellows will receive (1) an amount equal to 16 hours of in- or out-of- state tuition and fees; (2) a $1,000 book allowance; and (3) consideration for study abroad scholarships. Up to 20 fellowships may be awarded per year. For more information, and an application, please visit our scholarships page.

The deadline for applying for the Buchanan Fellowship is DECEMBER 1 of the year before which you plan to attend.

Yes, you will need TWO transcripts: one to send to the MTSU Admissions Office, and a separate one to mail with your Buchanan Fellowship application materials.

Most go directly to graduate or professional school. A recent survey revealed that 90% had already been accepted into graduate or professional schools (including law and medicine) and that others intended to work for a year before applying for graduate study.