Unlike many honors programs, the University Honors Scholars Program at ETSU offers a distinctive Honors Curriculum. University Honors Scholars participate in four exclusive, interdisciplinary, yearlong seminars designed to meet most of their general education requirements. Other Honors courses, such as designated section for Calculus and U.S. history, are highly interactive and taught by outstanding faculty known for their quality of instruction and research in their respective fields. As a University Honors Scholar, you will complete these curriculums with your class, giving you greater opportunities for in-depth investigation, discussion and development of your personal abilities and goals. Honors Scholars also complete a Senior Honors Thesis in their major area of study, a product of a yearlong research project with a faculty mentor.

Interdisciplinary Honors Seminars

Honors Quest for Meanings & Values is a freshman seminar designed to help the honors scholar find his or her "voice." In the union of English and Philosophy, scholars envision alternative values to form a global outlook, examine their own perspectives, and analyze how their perspectives might be viewed by those who do not share their values.

Honors Great Ideas in Science is a sophomore seminar that exposes scholars to the interrelationships among the sciences and between science and culture. With a foundation in biological sciences, philosophy and physics, scholars investigate major scientific concepts and the ethical responsibilities associated with scientific advances in order to understand what is and is not science.

Honors Artistic Experience a second sophomore seminar, combines philosophy, studio and performing arts in an investigation of the uniquely human expression of the search for beauty. Here, scholars develop an understanding of the importance of aesthetics to all elements of human culture.

Honors Appalachian & Comparative Cultures affords juniors the opportunity to complete an in-depth study of the roles of institutions in the unique Appalachian culture. The experience combines history, literature, the arts, economics and politics, and serves as a basis for investigations of the roles and development of institutions and societies from a global perspective.

Advising & Enrollment

University Honors Scholars receive priority enrollment each semester, and are advised by the Director of the Honors Program, in addition to advisors in the students' major field and in pre-professional organizations.

Publications

Two publications allow scholars to express opinions and describe their experiences. The newsletter, With Honors, keeps students, their families, our alumni and donors informed about our Honors Programs. Creative works are found in Alone We Are Together, a publication designed and composed exclusively by Honors scholars.

Honors Trips

Each year, university honors programs send sophomore scholars to Washington, D.C. on their own investigative trip. In addition, special field trips are a highlight of our Honors interdisciplinary seminars.

National, Regional & Local Honors Leadership

ETSU is a member of the National Collegiate, Southern Regional, and Tennessee Honors councils. Scholars have opportunities to attend and present at annual conferences and to assume leadership roles on executive boards and committees. At ETSU, two advisory committees assist the Director of Honors. The Honors Advisory Committee includes honors students, faculty and administrators, who are responsible for admissions, program evaluation, and policy changes. The Honors Student Council, composed of elected representatives, is responsible for various tasks, including the honors lecture forum, other special events, and community service projects.

Senior Honors Thesis

Honors Scholars at ETSU complete an Honors Thesis. This senior capstone experience gives each scholar the opportunity to gain comprehensive knowledge of his or her field of interest and acquire skills to promote continued study and advancement. Scholars work closely with a faculty mentor, who guides the faculty readers and assists the scholar in final preparations, including a public presentation.

Internships

Internships, both local and national, are available to scholars in a variety of major fields. These are supervised by a professor and provide opportunities to develop specialized skills seldom acquired by an undergraduate.

Exchange Programs & Study Abroad

Honors Students are encouraged to participate in exchange or study abroad programs. These programs offer scholars the chance to enrich their studies and experiences by exposure to new ideas, different cultures, and diverse curricula. Through the National Student Exchange, you can study a semester at other universities around the U.S. with support from your Honors scholarship. Summer and semester study abroad programs are available at an additional cost in a variety of foreign countries.

Extracurricular Activities

As an ETSU Honors Scholar, you will be encouraged to participate in campus and community activities, including the Student Government Association, Volunteer ETSU, and a variety of student groups in service- or discipline-related areas.