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Honors Program

The Honors Program encourages academically gifted students to develop life-long qualities, like curiosity and engagement, by giving them access to research, travel and service experiences. Within the program, students receive the necessary support to be successful leaders in a diverse world where all strands of knowledge are interdependent upon one another.

For these reasons, most Honors Program students choose to stay in Honors Affinity Housing where they are a part of a living-learning community of dedicated and talented students. Students also regularly participate in community outreach activities and volunteerism. In 2018, Honors Program students completed 388 hours of service, including volunteering their time and energy at the Midland Humane Society, Warm a Child for Winter event, the SVSU Food Pantry, Pet Angel Adoption and Rescue, the First Robotics Competition and the Underground Railroad in Saginaw—to name a few worthy causes.

What to Expect

The Honors Program begins with a freshman class, where students cover larger ideas in established disciplines, participate in enhanced experiences in general education and attend introductory courses within their majors. As sophomores and juniors, students partake in thematic courses that prepare them for exposure to research methods and help them to develop a sense of critical awareness for the environment around them. Ultimately, the coursework culminates in a final thesis project that demonstrates focus, knowledge and an understanding of research methods in a chosen discipline.

Mission

The mission of the Honors Program at SVSU is to recruit high-achieving students and offer them a rigorous curriculum that fosters critical awareness in an individualized, student-centered course of study, culminating in a final thesis project that demonstrates focus, knowledge and an understanding of research methods in a chosen discipline.

Admission Requirements

After being admitted to SVSU and meeting the below criteria, SVSU Admissions will send you instructions for applying to the Honors Program. 

  1. Have a minimum 3.9 cumulative high school GPA AND
  2. Be a high school graduating senior AND
  3. Be admitted to SVSU.
  4. Application period closed December 1st, 2023 but if you are still interested in this program please contact Dr. Elizabeth Rich (rich@svsu.edu)

CONTACT US.


Dr. Elizabeth Rich, Honors Program Chair
Science East 164
rich@svsu.edu
(989) 964-4317

Programs of Distinction
Wickes Hall 230H
bjthoma1@svsu.edu
(989) 964-7320

Cathy Davis, Administrative Secretary
Science East 260
cldavis@svsu.edu
(989) 964-4110