Students pursuing associate or bachelor's degrees at Utah State University have the option to apply to the University Honors Program. All Honors students can earn the Honors Experience transcript designation in addition to other USU transcript designations. Those Honors students who pursue a bachelor's degree can complete both the Honors Experience and the University Honors transcript designations, which are stackable and appear on the graduate's transcript and diploma. Honors Experience requirements create a structured path to guide students toward completion of 14 Honors points, including an Honors Portfolio showcasing their best work. Students must also maintain a 3.0 USU/overall GPA to earn this transcript designation.
How Do Students Earn Points?
Honors points track each student's progress toward completing program requirements and meeting Honors Learning Outcomes. Honors points give students credit for developing mentoring relationships with professors, completing independent project-based work, and articulating the value of a USU education.
To earn the required 14 Honors points for the Honors Experience designation, students complete a series of modules in Canvas over 3-4 semesters. Because this curriculum is carefully tailored to each student’s goals, all Honors students must schedule an Honors advising appointment before they begin their work in the University Honors Program.
Year 1
Earn First 5-10 Points
Students complete Modules 1 & 2 plus additional points aligned with their personal interests and goals. Students bring their total points to 5-10.
Year 2
Earn 14 Points
Students complete Modules 3, 4, & 5 plus additional points aligned with personal interests and goals. Students bring their point total to 14.
Honors Experience Requirements
The following components are required for the Honors Experience transcript designation.
Module 1: Pre-Program Preparation
This module is designed to help students develop an understanding of how the University Honors Program works. Students are required to 1) review pages in the module, 2) complete a short quiz, 3) draft an initial Honors plan, and 4) meet with their Honors Academic Advisor. Completion of these four steps earns 1 Honors point. This module must be completed before students can move on to other modules.
This module should be completed when students begin work in the Honors Experience Canvas course.
Module 2: Engaging with Honors & Beyond
This module includes foundational Honors experiences that help students build their Honors and USU community and create the framework for their required Honors Portfolio. Students are required to meet with their faculty Departmental Honors Advisor, attend Honors and USU events, and learn about the Honors Portfolio requirements. Completion of this module earns 2.5 Honors points. This module must be completed before students can move on to other modules.
This module should be completed during a student’s first semester in Honors.
Module 3: Required Honors Course
Honors students are required to take at least one Honors Experiential Learning course. Students should work closely with their Honors and Major Academic Advisors to determine when to enroll and which Honors course is most interesting and relevant to their academic and personal goals. Completion of this module earns 1-3 Honors points.
This module should be completed during the first or second year in Honors.
Module 4: Honors Mentoring Agreement
This module takes students through the steps of completing an Honors Mentoring Agreement (HMA). These agreements allow students to work closely with faculty and begin to pursue their own academic interests. Students must complete at least one HMA to fulfill Honors Experience requirements. Completion of the HMA earns 3 Honors points.
Students should complete this module during their third or fourth semester in Honors.
Module 5: Honors Portfolio
Designed to showcase the value of an Honors education, the Honors Portfolio provides evidence of a student’s progress on our four Honors Learning Outcomes. The goal of the portfolio is to allow students to reflect on the experiences they had in the University Honors Program and to understand how those experiences enhanced their overall undergraduate experience at USU.
The Honors Portfolio:
- Involves active mentorship from the student’s Honors Academic Advisor and faculty Departmental Honors Advisor;
- Features and highlights the student’s Honors learning, projects, and reflective writing;
- Curates a selection of the student’s best academic work; and
- Includes a reflection on the personal and professional value of the student’s time in the University Honors Program.
Completion of the Honors Portfolio earns 2 Honors points and happens in the fourth semester or as the student is finishing all Honors Experience requirements.
Additional Opportunities to Earn Points
Students who successfully complete Modules 1-5 will earn between 9.5 and 11.5 points, depending on which Honors course they take. The remaining 2.5-4.5 points required for the Honors Experience transcript designation can be earned by completing additional Honors assignments that align with the student's interests and goals.
Some opportunities include Honors in Practice (HIP) work that allows students to apply their academic knowledge outside the classroom. HIP work dares students to think imaginatively and practically about the value of experiential learning and to engage in activities such as mentored research, creative work, community service, and cross-disciplinary discussion. This work often lays the foundation for future professional success by training students to take responsibility for their own learning and communicate its value to others. HIP experiences vary and earn between 1-3 Honors points.
Additionally, students can engage with the USU community by attending and reflecting on campus, community, or virtual co-curricular events that enrich their college experience. Reflections on co-curricular activities earn 0.5 points per activity.
Students may begin completing most additional HIP and co-curricular activities at any time. Students are encouraged to take additional Honors courses whenever possible.