University Honors Program

University Honors Program
Programs and Courses Offered

Director, University Honors Program
Sandra M. Pérez

Program Office
Pollak Library 160

University Honors Program

The University Honors Program at Cal State Fullerton is an academic unit under the Office of Academic Programs, and is governed by UPS 412.010. The program encompasses 19 classes, most of which are offered on a yearly basis, and currently involves 875 students. Typically, about 20 professors from varying colleges and disciplines participate in our program.

The University Honors Program is dedicated to inclusive excellence and extending the frontiers of knowledge beyond the boundaries of the institution. The program hosts a community of scholars from across the university who share a love of learning. The program’s vision is to be a nationally recognized model of inclusive excellence through a sustained commitment to access, student success, academic rigor and high-quality learning.

The University Honors Program goals are: to foster intellectual curiosity and promote a commitment to inclusion among highly motivated, socially aware and academically experienced students; to provide intense curricular and co-curricular experiences that engage society’s contemporary challenges in an increasingly changing global knowledge economy; to scale the breadth of the program commensurate to the size of the institution; and to deepen the impact of the program among students through rigorous ongoing assessment of learning.

Benefits

The University Honors Program provides benefits that include:

Honors seminars featuring small class sizes (15 students maximum in most classes)
Access to the Honors Center, a special study lounge
Opportunity to develop an independent project in coordination with a faculty mentor
Opportunity to study abroad and earn honors credit
Participation in main commencement ceremony
Support in navigating the university system
Close mentoring relationships with faculty and staff members
Social activities with fellow honors students
Priority registration
Honors notation on official transcript and diploma

By actively participating in this strong scholarly community, students gain leadership experience through service. University Honors students have the option of participating in the administration and development of the University Honors Program, which allows them to become active partners in their education and provides opportunities to help nurture the growth of the University Honors Program.

Admission Criteria

Entering freshmen who have achieved a 3.6 grade-point average in college preparatory coursework in grades 10, 11 and the first semester of their senior year are eligible to apply to the program. Transfer students who have completed honors coursework at their transfer institution and have earned a minimum CSU transferable grade-point average of 3.5 also are eligible. For additional information on applying, contact the Honors Center, Pollak Library 160, at 657-278-7440 or univhonors@fullerton.edu. Current Cal State Fullerton students and transfer students who have not previously completed honors coursework should consult with the University Honors Program director about possible admission.

Maintaining Eligibility

To maintain eligibility in the University Honors Program, students must meet the following expectations though some flexibility with honors units is possible. Students should always consult with the University Honors Program director.

Year One
Complete a minimum of six honors units and earn a cumulative GPA of 3.25

Year Two
Complete a minimum of six honors units, earn a cumulative GPA of 3.4.

Year Three
Complete a minimum of four honors units, including Honors 300A and 300B, one upper-division honors seminar, and earn a cumulative GPA of 3.5.

Year Four
Complete a minimum of six honors units, including Honors 400A and 400B, the Senior Honors Project (Honors 497), and earn a cumulative GPA of 3.5.

Programs and Courses Offered

Programs

Non-Degree

University Honors Program Curriculum

Courses

Honors

Courses are designated as HONR in the class schedule. All honors courses are restricted to students enrolled in the University Honors Program.