Invited Baylor Students
Congratulations! If you recently received an email from the Honors Program, you are one of a select few students who have been invited to join the Honors Program at the end of their first semester at Baylor. We realize that you probably have a number of questions about the program, and this web page is designed to help answer some of those. More specific questions can be directed to Dr. Albert Beck, Assistant Director of the Honors Program.
The Honors Program
What is the Honors Program?
The Honors Program extends and enriches the academic experiences of talented, highly motivated Baylor students. The Honors Program supplements not only traditional degree requirements and majors in all departments and schools of the university, but also the curricula of students in other specialized programs like the BIC, University Scholars, Bachelor of Philosophy degree or Business Fellows. The program offers distinctive sections of required courses, encourages interdisciplinary approaches to learning, and provides opportunities for students to pursue independent research under the supervision of faculty mentors.
Where can I find more information about the program?
The Honors Program has an extensive website. You can find a lot of useful information under the “Current Students” section. Also, the Honors Program handbook explains in detail the particular requirements and expectations of the program.
What are the benefits of being in the Honors Program?
There are extrinsic and intrinsic benefits to being in the Honors Program. Outwardly, participation in the Honors Program grants you early registration privileges—a definite plus when planning your schedule. Also, when you complete the program, you will receive special recognition on your academic transcript and at graduation.
As an Honors Program student, you will have a chance to take interesting classes with some of the best professors on campus. Because of its emphasis on the close reading of texts and an awareness of the larger dimensions of education, the Honors Program may also help prepare you for graduate or professional school. In the program, you will get to know various faculty members at a personal level, and they will, in turn, be able to write you the kinds of letters of recommendation that are meaningful to future employers or graduate admissions committees. You will be eligible to apply for a spot in the Honors Residential College (HRC), a unique living and learning community located in the heart of Baylor's campus.
These benefits, however, pale in comparison to the intrinsic value of an Honors Program education. Through the Honors classes you’ll take, you will be challenged to consider the big questions of your vocation, and, if you allow, the curriculum will work to mold you into a person of academic honor. For example, in your two required Great Texts classes, you will read foundational works of literature and philosophy that will lead you to ponder the big questions in life and provide you with the intellectual resources to formulate your own answers to these questions.
Can I live in the Honors Residential College (Alexander or Memorial Hall)?
Honors Program students are eligible to apply for a spot in the Honors Residential College, but they are not required to live there. If you are interested in living in the HRC this spring or next fall, please contact the HRC’s Program Director, Ms. Lizzy Rice, as soon as possible (Lizzy_Rice1@baylor.edu). Spaces for this spring semester may be limited (or not at all available) depending on current occupancy, but you might be able to get a spot in the HRC for the fall semester.
re there any majors that should not join the Honors Program?
The Honors Program works very hard to accommodate students from all department and majors. Nevertheless, it is a bit harder for students in the School of Music and the School of Education to complete their Honors Program requirements in a timely fashion (though there have been successful graduates in both of these programs). Also, students pursuing the joint BBA/MBA in Accounting will need to frontload their Honors Program requirements to make room for their internship experience.
Can being in the Honors Program help me get into graduate, law, or medical school?
Definitely, yes! In the Honors Program, you will be required to develop the habits of scholarship that will be essential for success in graduate school. The careful, thoughtful reading of texts, a hallmark of many Honors Program classes, undertaking research with a faculty advisor in an academic area of your choosing, and being part of a collaborative academic community of teachers and learners will equip you for success once you leave Baylor.
Whom do I contact if I have specific questions about the program?
Contact Albert Beck, Assistant Director of the Honors Program, with any questions or concerns. Over the holiday break, you can contact Dr. Beck via email at Albert_Beck@baylor.edu. Note that there may be a delay in his reply.
Where is the Honors Program office located?
Honors Program faculty offices are located in the Honors Suite, Draper 154. The Honors Program advisors can be found in the Garden Level of Alexander Hall. We encourage you to first contact Dr. Beck via email if you would like to talk.
I’m not sure if the Honors Program is right for me. Can I change my mind if I join now?
Yes. Though we hope you’ll stay with the program through graduation, you can drop the Honors Program at any time after visiting with an Honors Program advisor and completing the Program Withdrawal Form. You would, of course, need to finish any Honors classes for which you are registered after the add/drop deadline.
The Application Process
How do I apply for immediate admission to the Honors Program?
If you previously applied to the Honors Program as a high-school student or otherwise contacted Dr. Beck about joining, you do not need to submit an additional application. Dr. Beck will work with you to finalize your admission into the program. If you haven't been invited to join Honors, there may be a short paper application that you will need to complete. Be sure to reply to Dr. Beck's email by the deadline noted therein.
When will I know if I’ve been admitted to the program?
If you previously submitted an Honors Program application and received an invitation to join the program in January, you will be automatically admitted when you confirm your acceptance by contacting Dr. Beck.
’ve been admitted to the program; what do I do now?
You will meet with Dr. Beck prior to the start of classes in January. At this meeting, we'll talk about Honors requirements, benefits, and answer any questions that you might have. For this spring, the meeting will be via Zoom.
Students admitted into the program for the Spring semester may have to adjust their schedule. We'll try to get you into at least one, and possibly two, Honors classes in the spring. One of those classes might be a GTX 2301 seminar required for most Honors students. (BIC students don't take GTX classes for Honors since their BIC curriculum covers that content.) CLA 2301 or 2302, Ancient Greek or Roman Literature, can sometimes substitute for GTX 2301.
You will need a permit in order to add the Honors class to your schedule. If you are eager to get started, send Dr. Beck an email with your desired Honors course and section number, and he will issue the necessary permit if there are open seats in the class. Once you receive the permit, you can add the course to your schedule in BearWeb. Alternatively, you can discuss this matter in more detail when you meet with Dr. Beck in January.
As noted above, students in the Baylor Interdisciplinary Core will not take the GTX or CLA class as the content overlaps your World Cultures readings and discussions. BIC students should, however, talk to their World Cultures II course coordinator for information about completing an Honors Group Contract in that class.
In addition to the Great Texts/Literature class, it would be best to add another Honors class of your choosing.
The Curriculum
What are the requirements for remaining in good standing in the Honors Program?
Honors Program students will take, on average, two of their classes each semester for Honors credit. Honors classes are generally smaller sections of required classes for your major, or they are classes that will provide you a deeper, richer experience with the course content. Honors classes are offered in the sciences, humanities, and social sciences, so most of your Honors coursework will apply towards your major requirements. There are alternate means for Honors credit wherein a student can satisfy one or two of these Honors class requirements through non-classroom experiences.
Honors Program students must complete an Honors thesis during their junior and senior year.
The Honors Program will conduct a GPA check at the end of a student's second and third year at Baylor. A 3.5 or better cumulative GPA is required to remain in good standing at these checks, though students with slightly lower GPAs may submit a petition to possibly remain in the program. Honors Program students must earn a 3.2 or better GPA by the time they graduate from the program. There is no rounding up for the final GPA.
Are there certain Honors classes that I’ll be required to take? If so, how does this effect my course of study?
Most of the Honors class you take will be in courses required for your major. For example, you can take an Honors section of Religion 1350, or Economics 2306, or Chemistry 1302, etc. There are, however, a few required Honors classes that may or may not fit directly into your curriculum. Most, but not all, Honors Program students will have to take the following Honors classes:
Great Texts (GTX) 2301 and 2302. Usually, at least one of these will count towards the requirements for your major. BIC students do not take GTX classes but can, instead, earn Honors credit via their BIC curriculum. CLA 2301 or CLA 2302 can substitute for GTX 2301.
Colloquium (HON 3200 and, optionally, HON 3201). This class only meets once every other week and involves reading an assigned text, writing a brief reflection, and talking about some really interesting books and articles. It's a highlight of the Honors curriculum for most students.
Honors Thesis—six total hours (HON 3100, 3101, HON 4V87 for 4 hours) Two of these hours may count towards the social science requirements on the BS degree.) If you are in a major or program that requires a research project, you can incorporate that into your thesis. You would not have to conduct two separate and unrelated thesis projects.
Will I be behind since I am coming in after a semester at Baylor?
No. We will adjust your Honors Program requirements so that you will not be behind when you start in the Honors Program in January.
What is a thesis?
A thesis is the capstone of the Honors Program academic experience. It is an essay or project that presents the results of original research or an equivalent project conducted under the direction of a faculty mentor. Most students complete the thesis in a field related to their major. While a significant undertaking, the Honors Program will work with the student during their junior and senior year to ensure that they have a successful experience writing the thesis.
How many majors are represented in the Honors Program?
The last time we checked, over 85 different majors were represented in the Honors Program.
What changes will I have to make to my spring schedule?
Ideally, we’d like for you to take at least one, and possibly two, Honors classes next semester. One of these might be Great Texts 2301 (or equivalent) and the second would be any Honors class of your choosing. (Please see above for details about the Great Texts requirement.)
What is a Great Texts class?
Great Texts are interdisciplinary humanities classes. Faculty teaching these courses come from across the university, and the course material will help provide a humane framework for the rest of your studies in the Honors Program. GTX 2301 covers the intellectual tradition of the ancient world, i.e., ancient Greece and Rome. GTX 2302 covers the intellectual tradition of the West through the early modern period.
In most cases, at least one GTX class will count towards your degree requirements. On the BA or BS degree, the first GTX class will satisfy the Literature in Context course. On the business, engineering, and computer science degree plans, both GTX classes can count towards general education requirements. Education majors have the option of taking GTX 2301 and/or 2302 in place of TED 2380 and/or 2381, or they can complete these two education courses with an Honors contract in place of their GTX requirement for Honors. CLA 2301 or 2302 is an approved substitute for GTX 2301, provided it is taken in the Honors section or with an Honors contract.