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Wayne State University Statutes
| 2.43.05 | Guidelines for the Establishment of Undergraduate Honors Curricula |
| 2.43.05.010 | Purpose |
| The University's honors curricula should serve to challenge highly motivated students through courses of advanced study; to provide academic programs of unusual breadth and depth; to provide recognition for outstanding scholastic achievement; to foster interest in research and scholarly activity; and to provide students an opportunity to work with outstanding faculty. This Statute delineates guidelines for the establishment of honors curricula in the University. | |
| 2.43.05.020 | Curriculum |
| There shall be two types of curricula available in the University's Honors Program: (A) a University-wide Honors Curriculum; and (B) College or Department Honors Curricula. | |
| 2.43.05.030 | University-wide Honors Curriculum |
| The University-wide Honors Program allows undergraduate students in any college/school to pursue individually designed Honors Programs which complement their majors. |
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| 2.43.05.040 | Program Requirements. The program shall require honors-designated course work which constitutes at least 20% of the required credits for the baccalaureate program the student is pursuing. In no case may the Honors credits be less than 24 credit hours. Students in this program MUST SATISFY THE GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS, but the approved General Education courses may differ for the Honors Program after review by the Honors Council and the General Education Implementation Committee and approval by the President or his/her designee. Students must complete a minimum of 60 credits in residence at Wayne State University. |
| 2.43.05.050 | Admission. Students with excellent academic records are eligible and may apply for admission to the University's Honors Program. In considering nominees/applicants for the program, considerable emphasis shall be placed upon the character of the student's prior accomplishments, and upon measures of potential appropriate to the individual and his/her field. Normally, the following are required: (a) Entering Freshmen: Any entering freshman with a high school honor point average of 3.5, or a composite ACT score of 26 or SAT combined score of 1100, is eligible to apply for admission to the Honors Program. Students must be in the top 10% of their high school graduating class. Students not meeting the above criteria may request an interview with the Honors Council. (b) Transfer Students: Students who have completed a minimum of 15 hours of college credit with a cumulative honor point average of 3.3 at another postsecondary institution are eligible to apply for admission to the program. Transfer students must have a composite ACT score of 26 or SAT combined score of 1100. Normally, no student shall be admitted to the University Honors Curriculum who has fewer than 60 credits remaining for undergraduate study at Wayne State University. No more than a maximum of nine credit hours of honors work may be transferred from another institution. (c) Continuing Students: Students who have a cumulative honor point average of 3.3 or above at Wayne State University for 24 successive credit hours and who have passed the English and Mathematics Proficiency Requirements may apply for admission to the program. (d) Presidential Scholars: Students awarded Presidential Scholarships are eligible for admission to the University Honors Program upon entrance to Wayne State University. (e) Students whose cumulative honor point average is at least 3.3, but who are not formally in the Honors Program, are eligible to elect honors courses to enrich their educational experiences. |
| 2.43.05.060 | Retention. The academic record of each student shall be reviewed at regular intervals. To remain in the University Honors Program, a student normally shall be expected: (a) To pursue a program consistent with the objectives of the Honors Program, as recommended by the University Honors Council and approved by the President or his/her designee. (b) To maintain a cumulative honor point average greater than or equal to 3.3. (c) A student whose cumulative honor point average is below 3.3 and is, for that reason, dropped from the Honors Program, may reapply when the cumulative honor point average is 3.3 or higher. |
| 2.43.05.070 | Participation. A student designated a University Honors Student shall be assigned to an Honors Advisor. The Honors Advisor shall develop with the student an individualized program of study appropriate to the student. The Honors Advisor shall have the responsibility to make certain that the requirements of both general education and the major are represented in the student's program. The program of study must be approved by the student's home college and by the University Honors Council. |
| 2.43.05.080 | Graduation. For graduation, students must have a minimum cumulative honor point average of 3.3, and must complete a minimum of 20% of their degree credits (but no less than 24 credit hours) in honors-designated course work (including credits in an independent research project, essay, or thesis), with a minimum cumulative honor point average of 3.3 for University Honors. Students must complete a minimum of 60 credits in residence at Wayne State University. Under unusual circumstances, the President or his/her designee may grant an exception to the residency provision. Graduates of the University-wide honors program will be so recognized on the transcript and diploma. |
| 2.43.05.090 | College or Department Honors Curricula |
| Undergraduate programs in colleges and schools shall be encouraged to develop programs leading to honors. College or department Honors Programs will be approved by the Honors Council and the President or his/her designee. |
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| 2.43.05.100 | Program Requirements. College or department Honors Curricula shall require no more than 12 credits of honors-designated course work of which at least three credits must be in an independent research project, essay, or thesis, in the student's college/department. Students also must meet the requirements of their major fields. The honors requirements for the major may include approved modifications of normal major requirements. |
| 2.43.05.110 | Admission. Students must be admitted to the major or program for which honors is sought. A minimum honor point average of 3.3 is required for enrollment in college/department programs; however, colleges/departments may establish a higher honor point average for admission. |
| 2.43.05.120 | Retention. To remain in the Honors Program, a student normally shall be expected to maintain a cumulative honor point average greater than or equal to 3.3; however, colleges/departments may establish a higher H.P.A. for retention in college/department programs. |
| 2.43.05.130 | Graduation. For graduation with honors, students must have a minimum cumulative honor point average of 3.3; but college or departmental Honors Programs may establish a higher H.P.A. The H.P.A. of honors graduates, normally, should be among the top 25% of the seniors in a particular college. |
| 2.43.05.140 | Dual Recognition. Students who complete the requirements of both the University-wide Honors Program and a college/department Honors Program shall have both designations on the transcript and the diploma. Only a single senior essay, thesis, or project shall be required. |
| 2.43.05.150 | Administration |
| The President or his/her designee shall establish a University-wide Honors Council. The Council would be responsible for reviewing and recommending to the President or his/her designee plans of study for students in the University-wide Honors Program; reviewing and recommending approval to the President or his/her designee of the college/department honors requirements; monitoring honors courses; and monitoring and evaluating the University-wide Honors Program. The Honors Council shall not modify General Education requirements, except by approval of the General Education Implementation Committee and the President or his/her designee. Each college will designate its Honors Advisors and its honors courses in accordance with normal University approval procedures. The Honors Council will consist of one member from each of the participating colleges of the University, the Honors Director, and two student members. Each Council member will serve a three-year term, with 1/3 of the members being selected each year. Student members will be appointed, with terms not to exceed two years. | |
| 2.43.05.160 | The Director of Honors Programs would be responsible for overall administration of the University's honors curriculum. |
| 2.43.05.170 | Definitions |
| Honors Designated Coursework. Courses or coursework which has been specifically approved, through University approval procedures, for honors-level work. Honors designated courses are noted on the transcript. Honors designated coursework may include honors courses, honors sections of regular courses, H-Option coursework, as well as individual study and research project. | |
| 2.43.05.180 | Honors Courses. Courses specifically designed for students in the honors curricula. |
| 2.43.05.190 | Honors Sections. Special sections of regular courses designed for honors students. |
| 2.43.05.200 | Honors-Option (H-Option) Coursework. Option available for intermediate and advanced courses which allows an individual student in a regular course to elect honors-level work and receive a retrospective transcript designation as honors, if such additional work is completed in a satisfactory manner and if the overall grade in the course is "B" or better. |
Legislative History
Adopted 7-0; Official Proceedings 30:4153 (18 July 1986)
Amended 5-0; Official Proceedings 39:5161 (9 June 1995)
