Courses
The Honors Program offers a variety of courses that feature content and instructional methods to challenge the students, to provide a more active role for the students in the learning process, and to emphasize understanding more than the recitation of information.
Many courses are "variants" of courses in FSU's General Education Program (GEP PDF) (PSYC 151 Honors: General Psychology instead of PSYC 150 General Psychology). Honors variants allow students to complete their general education requirements in smaller classes with an atmosphere geared to the needs of high-ability students.
View the complete listing of Honors variants.
Students visit Washington, D.C. for an IDIS 151 course.
Honors students visit NYC with History Professor Dr. Gregory Wood, for an IDIS 491 Seminar course.
Seminars
For juniors and seniors, Honors seminars provide unique environments and opportunities for learning. The seminars are interdisciplinary and focus on a subject in depth. Some have been travel study experiences. Recent seminar offerings include: Mental Illness, Digital Storytelling, Social Entrepreneurship, Paradigms of Time, Power and Control in America, Sociolinguistics, American Political Thought, Science on Trial, and New York City and Modern American Culture.
Honors Course Enhancements
We offer Enhancement opportunities, which allow students to register for regular, non-Honors courses and receive Honors credit for the course. Students communicate with their non-Honors instructors to create an Honors level assignment in addition to normal coursework. After both the instructor and the Director of the Honors Program have approved the assignment, the student must complete the necessary documents and work prior to the conclusion of the semester. Upon work approval, the student will receive Honors credit. Enhancements will not replace Honors courses for metrics. For example, Honors Housing placement, particularly for Freshman students, is based primarily on Honors Courses. While Enhancements do qualify for completion of the program, they will not affect Honors Housing placement.
Download the Honors Course Enhancement Proposal form and Honors Course Enhancement Completion form.
Experiential Learning Options
Students in the Honors Program are involved in a variety of community service, internship, and Study Abroad opportunities. These experiences are rewarding, and the Honors Program recognizes these accomplishments. Students submit a proposal to the Director prior to their participation in the experience. Once the proposal is approved and the students complete the experience, they must submit an essay meeting certain criteria. Once the essay is read and approved by the Director, the student will receive Honors Seminar credit.
Download the Honors Experiential Learning Project Proposal Form and the Honors Experiential Learning Project Completion form.
Thesis
Student in class In lieu of one seminar, Honors students have the option of completing a senior thesis. The Honors thesis is an endeavor that normally spans a year in its preparation and presentation. The thesis or project is a capstone requirement and therefore must represent visible evidence of accomplishment in a discipline or area of inquiry. It may be a research document, case study, video, performance, art exhibit, or other endeavor that demonstrates a competence beyond the normal requirements in the major field.
The purpose of the thesis is to provide students with an opportunity to do independent and in-depth work in the discipline or area of interest with the assistance of faculty mentors. One benefit is that it may prepare students for graduate school or professional employment. The thesis can provide evidence of the students' ability to design, develop, and complete an extended piece of scholarship or activity typical of an academic discipline.
Download the Thesis Proposal form.