Roger Hadfield Ogden Honors College

The Roger Hadfield Ogden Honors College is a highly selective four-year enrichment program for intellectually motivated undergraduate students. Honors students enter as freshmen and enroll in at least 32 hours of honors courses over their four-year career, culminating in the production of an Honors thesis or project in their major field of study. From small enrollment seminars in the freshman year to independent research activities in preparation for the senior honors thesis, the Honors College experience is characterized by close interaction between Honors students and outstanding faculty.

Honors students pursue a rigorous academic program which satisfies all requirements for graduation, including the requirements of their major academic department. Honors courses go beyond the basic requirements to provide the basis for outstanding achievement and appropriate recognition at graduation. In the first two years of study in the Honors College, breadth of academic experience is emphasized. Honors work involves the student in a variety of fields ranging from the humanities to the sciences and students may elect to take specialized seminars in a variety of disciplines. Honors students in the junior and senior years usually become more focused in their majors, developing increasingly independent research interests and culminating in the production of a senior thesis or project under the direction of a faculty member in the student’s major department.

Participation in the Honors College supplements, but does not replace, work in a major field. Credits earned in Honors College courses may be used to satisfy general education requirements or specific degree requirements. Honors College and departmental advisors assist in assuring that Honors students meet all requirements of each student’s major curriculum.

Admission Requirements

Entering Freshmen

Entering freshmen with the following minimum ACT or SAT scores and a 3.50 academic high school GPA are invited to apply for admission to the college.

• ACT requirements–30 composite and 30 English or 29 composite and 31 English.
• SAT requirements–1330 combined math and critical reading and 660 critical reading.

Continuing or Transfer Students

Continuing students who have completed at least their first semester of college and have attained at least a 3.50 GPA are also invited to inquire about admission to the college.

Readmission

Students who have been dropped from the college may apply for readmission if they meet the following requirements:

• they have attained a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00; and
• they request registration in an honors course at the time of readmission.

Recognition Requirements

Honors College students earn their graduation degrees from LSU through their senior colleges and earn Honors College recognition by meeting the following requirements (for all recognition awards, see curriculum for description of courses eligible for Honors credit):

Good Standing: All students must be in good standing to participate in the Honors College, register for honors courses, and be eligible for priority registration. Following the initial semester in the Honors College, an honors student is considered to be in good standing if they maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 and successfully completes a minimum of two honors courses (five to six hours) per academic year in residence.

College Honors: Noted on both the diploma and the LSU transcript, College Honors is the culmination of the Honors College curriculum. Students who earn College Honors at graduation will receive special recognition at LSU commencement. To graduate with College Honors a student must meet all requirements as established by the student’s own college including at least 32 hours of Honors classes as follows:

• a minimum of six hours of Honors coursework;
• 12 hours at 3000+ level, following upper division departmental honors programs, where they exist;
• senior thesis or project, following thesis guidelines;
• 3.5 GPA in cumulative, LSU, and Honors coursework.

Upper Division Honors Distinction: Students achieving this distinction will receive recognition at LSU commencement and on their transcripts. Students working toward upper division honors distinction are expected to indicate their intention, in person, to the Honors College upper division advisor who will furnish them with detailed requirements including the following:

• 12 hours of honors courses at the 3000-level or above, including three to six hours of thesis or project;
• Senior honors thesis or project following thesis guidelines;
• 3.50 GPA in both cumulative and LSU coursework, and for all honors courses used in the student’s Upper Division program.

Sophomore Honors Distinction: Recognition includes a notation on the transcript and a certificate awarded after the end of the fourth semester. This designation will be subject to approval by the dean of the student’s college upon recommendation of the dean of the Honors College. To achieve this distinction, students must complete the following by the end of their fourth regular semester in college:

• 20 hours of Honors or departmental honors courses, including a minimum of six hours of Honors courses;
• A 3.50 GPA in cumulative, LSU, and Honors coursework.

Honors College Curriculum

Honors students are required to take at least five to six hours of honors courses per year to remain in good standing and at least 32 hours of honors courses (including thesis) to graduate with College Honors. The following types of courses qualify for credit as honors courses:

• Honors College courses: Designated with the HNRS prefix in the Schedule of Classes and administered by the Honors College. Example: HNRS 2013 The 20th Century (3) .
• Honors Departmental courses: Designated with a departmental prefix and “Honors” in the course title as listed in the Schedule of Classes. Example: CHEM 1421 HONORS: General Chemistry I (3) .
• Honors Options: The honors option is available to students when separate upper division honors courses are not available. A student will work with a professor to produce a contract outlining the work to be done in addition to the regular work for a given course. The student will enroll in this course and will obtain honors credit by successfully completing the work outlined in the contract. Honors option regulations and forms are available through the Honors College. Honors credit is noted on the transcript with the letter “H.” Example: ENGL 3020 British Literature I: The Middle Ages, Renaissance and 18th Century (3)  (H).
• Honors Thesis/Project: An Honors Thesis of high quality is required for students to graduate with College Honors. Students in all disciplines are encouraged to link their Honors thesis with requirements in their own majors and must consult with their departments concerning its final format. The Honors Thesis should be completed in coursework totaling at least six hours. Students may enroll in thesis preparation courses in their own departments, or may use HNRS 4000 Thesis (3)  with the agreement of their department.

Honors College Experience

Academic Experience

The goal of the Honors College is to prepare academically motivated students for success following graduation and throughout their future careers. In addition to Honors coursework, Honors College students have the opportunity to engage in a wide range of academically related activities during their undergraduate careers. The Honors College advising staff works to guide students toward the following opportunities and students are encouraged to meet with our advisors on a regular basis.

• Community Service Opportunities: Freshmen can work together on a community service activity, learning to work together as a group and learning more about the LSU and Baton Rouge communities.
• Study Abroad: All Honors College students are encouraged to participate in foreign study programs, especially during their sophomore or junior years.
• Research Assistantship/Internships: In their junior year, Honors College students should identify areas of academic/career interest and begin to work on more specialized research under the supervision of a faculty member or on internships in fields appropriate to their career goals.
• Postgraduate Fellowships/Scholarships: In their senior year, Honors College students should identify and apply for prestigious fellowships and scholarships that pertain to their career interests.

Residential Experience

The Laville Honors House is a residential college affiliated with the Honors College. The residence hall is available for all Honors College students (freshmen through seniors). The Laville Honors House provides a living environment that fosters academic excellence and close personal interaction between students and faculty. In addition to regular participation in activities by faculty members, advising staff offices and seminar rooms are also located in the Laville Honors House to enhance student academic performance.

Honors Courses and Curricular Equivalents

In meeting the requirements for their degrees, Honors students may substitute a number of Honors courses (HNRS and departmental) for non-Honors courses required for their degree programs.