Benefits & Curriculum
The Kent State Stark Honors Program seeks to recruit a diverse student body that fosters a community of academic excellence.
As a student in the Honors Program, you will be a part of both a vibrant, active campus and an intimate community of dedicated scholars.
HONORS PROGRAM BENEFITS & FEATURES
- Open to students in any major
- Small class sizes - 15 students or less
- Graduation with Honors distinction
- Priority registration
- Individual Honors work
- Optional senior Honors thesis/project
- Community service opportunities
- Social events
- Study abroad opportunities
- Personal academic advisor
- Connection to the Kent State University's Honors College and Alumni Chapter
The program gives you the unique opportunity to meet like-minded, hardworking students and make connections through classes.
~ Louise Hovhannisyan
HONORS PROGRAM CURRICULUM
Honors experiences, available with any major, are designed to teach students to be excited by ideas, to love discovery and to become independent, creative and self-confident learners.
In your Honors classes, you can expect:
- Flexibility and freedom
- Personal attention
- Intellectual challenges
- To stretch intellectual ambition and excel in all academic work
- Encouragement to take initiative in determining the direction of the course
- Creative teaching approaches from the professors and creative responses from students
- Openness and honesty in approaching what may be new and controversial topics from both faculty and students
- Opportunities to get involved in research as an undergraduate
- Greater responsibility for academic choices
- Integration of various kinds of learning experiences
ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS
To graduate with Honors distinction, students must complete 24 Honors credit hours during their undergraduate years. In order to maintain good standing, at least one Honors course must be taken each academic year.
A 24 credit hour course outline might look like this:
| First Year Freshman Honors Colloquium (equivalent to two courses) plus one other course | 3 Honors courses |
| Sophomore Year | 2 Honors courses |
| Junior Year | 2 Honors courses |
| Senior Year | 1 Honors course |
Good Academic Standing
Members of the Honors Program must maintain a 3.25 cumulative GPA to remain in good academic standing with the program.
Graduation with Honors
Students who are in good standing at graduation, complete their minimum Honors requirements, and complete a senior Honors thesis/project will have their graduation distinction (university, general, or departmental honors) noted on the final academic transcripts. In addition, students receive an official thesis certificate in the mail after graduation.