Honors College

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Scott Goins, Director

Program

The McNeese State University Honors College is designed for outstanding students with strong academic records who desire an alternative course of instruction at the college level. The Honors College provides unique courses taught by exemplary professors as well as opportunities to enhance the educational experience outside of the classroom. Students interested in the Honors College should contact the director: Dr. Scott Goins, McNeese Honors College, MSU Box 93430, Lake Charles, LA 70609; telephone: (337) 475-5456 or (800) 622-3352 ext. 5456; email: sgoins@mcneese.edu

Criteria for Admission

• Excellent high school record including a college-preparatory background
• Minimum academic grade point average of 3.40 (on a 4.0 scale)
• Composite score of 27 on the American College Test (ACT) or combined reading and math core of 1210 on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)
• Written essay and interview with Honors College Admissions Committee
• Three letters of recommendation from teachers, principals, or guidance counselors
• Acceptance by the University for enrollment.

Advantages

Students who enter the program receive four-year academic scholarships covering the cost of tuition, partial room and board, and $1,200 annually for books. Other opportunities for students include priority registration and individualized academic counseling; small class size with discussion-style format; and increased personal attention from professors. The program is supplemented by special honors events (seminars, field trips, and conferences), cultural opportunities, and social activities. Honors courses have a special designation on University transcripts and special recognition will be given to Honors College graduates at commencement and on diplomas.

Elements

• Core Honors Courses. During the first year, honors students will enroll as a group in unique core courses which satisfy general education requirements. These courses are designed to stimulate thinking, improve written and oral communication skills, and promote classroom discussions.
• Honors Option. Students can choose the honors designation in traditional courses by adding independent elements, e.g., a research paper/project or a presentation at a regional or national meeting, as decided by the professor of the course, department head, and director of the Honors College. Prerequisites for Honors Option courses include: Admission to University Honors College or 3.0 college GPA and permission of department head. Students earning hours in the courses with the Honors Option Designation (H) may not get credit for the traditional course of the same number.
• International Study Abroad. Students successfully completing the first two years in the honors program will have the option to study abroad in established programs.
• Honors Independent Study. During the junior year students can investigate a special topic through independent reading and writing, in-depth scholarly research, or completion of a creative project under the guidance of an honors professor.

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