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Potential Students

Would you like to be part of a select group of students chosen on the basis of demonstrated excellence in academics as well as leadership, service, and a capacity for intellectual inquiry? Do you have a strong desire to further your education, not only toward the end of job security or professional advancement but with the goals of developing your mind, increasing your knowledge, and benefiting society?

If you are an academically talented student with a commitment to excellence, one of Tarleton’s two Honors programs may be a good fit for you. In either program, the Presidential Honors Program or the Honors Degree Program, you’ll be part of an Honors community that combines the advantages of a small liberal arts college with the diversity of a comprehensive state university.

Although the requirements for the two programs differ, much of the Honors curriculum is the same. Students in both programs take Honors sections of core curriculum courses.

What is different about honors classes?

  • limited to 25 students
  • offer intellectually challenging material
  • offer innovative approaches to the subject
  • offer increased opportunities for honing critical thinking and writing skills
  • offer the opportunity to interact closely with similarly motivated students
  • emphasize discussion and student participation
  • use primary sources and monographs over textbooks
  • use special lab equipment that would not be available to most undergraduate students
  • emphasize student projects and research
  • emphasize essay exams over multiple choice

Which is the difference between the Presidential Honors Program and the Honors Degree Program?

Presidential Honors Program (PHP) Honors Degree Program (HDP)
Admission

Beginning freshmen are considered based on high school class rank (generally top 10 percent); ACT/SAT (generally minimum ACT of 27 and SAT of 1190 for the verbal and math); participation in high school Honors, AB, IB, or Gifted and Talented classes; quality of essays; extracurricular activities; service to school and community; letters of recommendation; and for those selected as finalists an on-campus interview.

Entering freshmen are eligible to participate if they meet one of the following criteria:

    * Top quarter class rank or
    * ACT of 24 or higher or
    * SAT of 1100 or higher

Returning students and transfer students with a 3.0 GPA are eligible to participate.  
Requirements
  • Maintain a 3.4 Tarleton GPA
  • Provide leadership and service to the University and the community
  • Maintain a 3.0 Tarleton GPA (3.2 for the HDP Scholarship)
Coursework Requirements
  • Complete 15 hours of solid academic work each semester
  • Take as many honors core courses as possible
  • Take a one-hour Freshman Honors Seminar
  • Take two three-hour Honors Seminars
  • Complete a senior research project
  • Students who complete 18 hours of honors credit with a 3.0 overall Tarleton GPA and a 3.0 GPA in their honors courses receive an Honors Degree.
  • Students who take less than 18 hours of honors credit will have all honors courses designated on their transcript.
Benefits
  • Annual scholarship of $7,000.
  • Housing in the honors Residence Hall (Centennial Hall)
  • Early registration each semester
  • Funding to attend a conference or to participate in summer study abroad
  • Opportunities for cultural enrichment activities
  • Opportunity to apply for a $1,000 HDP Scholarship
  • Housing in the Honors Residence Hall (Centennial Hall)
  • Early registration each semester
  • Opportunities for cultural enrichment activities

What honors classes are offered?

Subjects Fall Semester Spring Semester
Speech COMS 101: Fundamentals of Speech
COMS 102:  Public Speaking		 COMS 101:  Fundamentals of Speech
English ENGL 111: Introduction to College Comp
ENGL 112: Rhetoric and Composition		 ENGL 112: Rhetoric and Composition
ENGL 250: Backgrounds of Western Literature
History HIST 201: History of the U.S. I HIST 202: History of the U.S. II
Political Science POLS 201: American Government POLS 202: Texas Government
Chemistry CHEM 108:College Chemistry II
Psychology  PSY 101:  General Psychology
Sociology   SOC 201: Introduction to Sociology
Geology GEOL 108: Natural Disasters  
Physics  PHYS 242: Principles of Physics II
Math MATH 120: Calculus I  
Fine Arts F A 160:  The Art of Film
Philosophy PHIL 101:  Intro to Philosophy
Kinesiology HLTH 101:  Wellness
Economics ECO 201:  Principles of Economics:  Macro

How do I apply for admission to one of the Honors programs and how do I apply for an Honors scholarship?

Presidential Honors Program

Click here to download a scholarship application form. Make sure to provide the special materials that are required for consideration for the Presidential Honors Program. All students admitted to the Presidential Honors Program receive the $7,000/year scholarship.

Honors Degree Program

Click here to download an HDP application. To be considered for the Honors Degree Program scholarship, you must also fill out a scholarship application form.