🎓 Apply to SHSU Honors College
If your SHSU GPA is higher than 3.25, you are eligible to apply for the Honors College.
📬 Application Links
Start your application by visiting the official form, login using your SHSU-Service Center credentials:
Eligible students will receive an invitation to apply!
To finish applying for admission to the Honors College, current SHSU or transfer students must submit the following remaining documents via their SHSU Self-Service Center:
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Two letters of recommendation from college academic instructors (from the most recent college you attended) with current knowledge of your academic performance and motivation.
(You are more than welcome to send in additional letters from non-academic instructors but the above two are mandatory.)
Please send them to our inbox: honors@shsu.edu.
📄 Download: recommendation.docx -
A 500–1000 word essay describing an incident, person, or book which has had an important influence on your life.
📄 Download: essay.docx -
A résumé of your leadership experience, employment experience, awards/honors, and volunteer activities.
📄 Download: resume.pdf
Once your documents are ready:
- Log in to the SHSU Self-Service Center.
- Upload all required documents.
- Click "Continue" after uploads.
- Click "Submit" to finalize your application.
- You can track your application status in the Self-Service Center.
🌟 Benefits of Joining Honors College
- 🎓 Opportunities for financial support
- 🤝 Community involvement and civic engagement
- 👥 Social opportunities with like-minded peers
- 📘 Specialized courses designed for honors students
- 👨🏫 Smaller class sizes with more faculty interaction
- 📅 Early registration for classes each semester
- 🏛️ Access to a private Honors Lounge and Lab
- 🎓 Honors distinction on your diploma upon graduation
📋 Honors Graduation Requirements
To graduate with an Honors diploma, you must:
- Maintain a cumulative SHSU GPA of 3.25.
- Attend Honors Advising once per semester.
- Maintain progress toward completing honors requirements.
- Complete 18 hours of Honors contracts/courses:
- Complete 6 hours of Honors Seminars.
- Engage in at least 10 hours of community service per semester (optional but highly encouraged).
- Advance Registration: Completing the 10 hours of service each semester qualifies you for early registration. Honors students who meet this requirement are the first to register when registration opens. If you don’t complete the hours, your registration follows standard class-level scheduling.
- New students: Advance Registration is granted during your first semester. For example, a Fall 2021 incoming student can register early for Spring 2022, even without prior service. However, you must complete and submit a Community Service Form during your first semester to maintain eligibility for future semesters.
- Attend at least 3 Honors events per academic year.
To graduate with Highest Honors, you must meet all Honors graduation requirements plus:
- Complete a senior thesis in an approved discipline under the direction of a faculty member of your choice.
- Learn more about the thesis process here: Honors Thesis FAQ
✅ After Acceptance
- Fill out the Honors Participation Agreement Form and send it to honors@shsu.edu.
- Register for the Transfer Student Orientation using the link sent to your SHSU email.
- If you did not receive the invitation email, contact orientation@shsu.edu.
- Take an appointment with the Honors Advisor through the Navigate 360 app:
- Navigate 360
- Go to: Take Appointment → Student Resources → Honors College Advising