HONORS

University Honors Program

Welcome to the University Honors Program at Nicholls State University.

The University Honors Program is dedicated to making your college years greater.  In the process, we allow you to grow and become greater.

Our renowned honors professors mentor you in small classroom settings, producing a personalized learning environment and empowering your creativity and expression. Our Honors Student Center allows you to write, study and relax between classes. Our academic programs allow enhanced study and scholastic experiences, taking you to places around the state and the world and allowing you to make original contributions to your field of study.

Each year, spots on extended study trips to England and Costa Rica are reserved so that you may experience world cultures.

We created this program for outstanding students just like you.

The University Honors Program at Nicholls State University strives to be at the forefront of the university’s pursuit of academic excellence and provide students with meaningful college learning experiences that connect them to the bayou and the global communities.

The mission of the University Honors Program is to create a community of scholars who value intellectual curiosity and academic challenges within their field of study but who also seek to understand and value all disciplines of study and will pursue life-long learning to make an impact on their communities and the world.

In support of the values of the university and of each academic college on campus, the University Honors Program seeks to impact each Honors student by making a positive difference in their lives through these values of our own practice.

  • Interdisciplinary Learning: Integrating knowledge and different ways of thinking from multiple academic disciplines to find solutions, consider concepts, and share experiences in transformative ways.
  • Global Learning: Seeking and sharing of ideas and perspectives to connect people and generate dialogue around the globe.
  • Holistic Experience: Commitment to educating the whole student
  • Excellence: Striving for excellence in every aspect of the faculty and student experience.
  • Enroll a substantial number of students who are ready to undertake the Honors Program curriculum.
  • Increase the number of Honors students who complete all the requirements of the Honors curriculum.
  • Develop programming that helps build friendships and encourage identification with the University Honors Program and with Nicholls State University as a whole.
  • Increase the number and utilization of opportunities for Honors students to deepen their academic experience, including by not limited to research, internships, Honors Abroad, and interdisciplinary collaborations.

JOIN TODAY

Joining the Honors Program is Easy!

Check below to see if you meet our eligibility requirements. If you do, then complete our Membership Application and return it by mail or in person to the University Honors Program office. There is a one-time, nonrefundable student activity dues of $35 associated with membership; 100 percent of these dues goes to support activities for you as an honors student.

Submit your application online or Download the Honors Program Application

Incoming freshmen may join the University Honors Program if they have a composite ACT score of 25 or higher, with no subscore below 20.

Current Nicholls students may join the University Honors Program at any time after earning a GPA of 3.2 or greater in at least 12 credit hours of Nicholls courses and (if applicable) completion of all (if any) developmental courses.

Students who have transferred from other universities may join the University Honors Program after earning a GPA of 3.2 or greater in at least 12 credit hours of Nicholls courses and (if applicable) completion of all (if any) developmental courses.

To remain a member of the University Honors Program, a student must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or greater, must complete at least one honors course per academic year and must work toward earning the University Honors Award at graduation. Upon completion of 18 hours of honors courses, two hours of Honors Forum, one hour of Honors Prospectus and three hours of Honors Thesis, students will earn the Honors Award at graduation and receive Honors Certification on their official university transcript.

For additional information regarding the Honors Program, please refer to our Honors Curriculum Guide.

REASONS TO JOIN:

Students in the University Honors Program enjoy smaller, exclusive classes and more personalized attention from their instructors.  Honors classes typically have 25 students or less.

The various academic departments at Nicholls assign outstanding professors as instructors of honors courses.  Honors professors are distinguished in their fields of study and offer honors students the greatest learning experiences on campus.

The University Honors Program sends groups of students every year to England and Costa Rica for academic and  humanities credit and the experience of a lifetime.  For more, please see Honors Abroad.

Honors students register for classes on the first day of early registration each semester. The week prior to registration, students have the opportunity to meet with discipline specific advisors and Honors advisors to help students create next semester’s classes.

Admissions specialists at graduate and professional schools look favorably at candidates who graduate with honors from the University Honors Program.  Upon completion of the program and graduation, your official university transcript will be Honors certified.

A multitude of scholarships, including the prestigious Goldwater, Marshall, Udall, and USA Today scholarships to name a few, are funneled through the University Honors Program each year.  Announcements of these scholarships and Nicholls scholarships are forwarded to the honors students and applications are available at the Honors Office.  For Nicholls scholarships, students may go to the Financial Aid (Scholarship) Office in Candies Hall.

The University Honors Program is a member of the Louisiana Collegiate Honors Council (LCHC) and the Southern Regional Honors Council (SRHC).  The Nicholls Honors Program participates in the LCHC, an annual convention which is held at various colleges and universities around the state.  In its first year of participation, Nicholls honors students won the LCHC Quiz Bowl championship.  Students also participate in academic symposia at the convention, sharing results from their classroom and extramural research with fellow honors students around the state.

Students in the Honors Program enjoy guest lecturers and workshops, visit special festivals and museums and experience other classroom-enhancing activities.  Honors students participate in many academic events, including sponsorship of the annual Honors Thesis Research Symposium.

The R. E. “Bob” Miller Honors Student Center is a place where members of the University Honors Program can go to study, relax, or take a break between classes.  Located in 161 Beauregard Hall adjacent to the Quadrangle, the Honors Student Center has many amenities honors students find helpful, including:  seating area (couches and tables), computers with Internet access, kitchenette, and informal atmosphere.  The Honors Student Center is open whenever Beauregard Hall is open.

HONORS FACULTY

Honors Student Council

The Honors Student Council is a body of elected honors students that organizes and coordinates (with the Program Director) events, regulations, and sponsored programs of the University Honors Program.

General elections are held late in each spring semester.  Any member of the University Honors Program can be nominated for an elected position and help maintain one of the most prestigious organizations at Nicholls State University.

The 2023-24 Honors Student Council members are as follows:

President – Meegen Cedotal
Vice President – Grant Rebstock
Treasurer/Secretary – Katie Louviere
Public Relations – Promise Shinall
Delegate-at-large Senior – Kennedi Armstrong
Delegate-at-large Junior – Jaycee Bennett
Delegate-at-large sophomore – Ashlyn Duet
Delegate-at-large freshman – Sarah Pate

HONORS ABROAD

Spend time in Europe and the Americas

Honors students have opportunities to apply for honors scholarship funding to study abroad each year. Programs in various European countries and American countries are offered for 2-4 weeks. Instruction from Nicholls faculty for credit in the humanities is provided. With our Honors Abroad experiences offered in the summer and winter, students earn academic credit while experiencing life in Europe and the Americas.

CONTACT:
Brigett Scott, PhD RD LDN
brigett.scott@nicholls.edu

111 Gouaux Hall
Phone: 985.448.7124

HONORS PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

To remain a member of the University Honors Program, a student must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or greater. They must complete at least one honors course per academic year and must work toward earning the University Honors Award at graduation. Upon completion of 18 hours of honors courses, two hours of Honors Forum, one hour of Honors Prospectus and three hours of Honors Thesis, students will earn a minimum of 24 credit hours. They will earn the Honors Award medallion at graduation and receive Honors Certification on their official university transcript.

The 24 credit hours can be achieved by meeting some combination of the following:

Students can earn up to six (6) hours of Honors credit for advanced placement or successful advanced testing. The course must have an equivalent Honors course (i.e., English 111, English 112, trigonometry, sociology).

In addition to the Honors Forum, Huma 111 (1 credit, taken twice for 2 credits), students develop a research project proposal for the senior thesis, writing the proposal in Honr 401 and the thesis in Honr 402.  The thesis is presented at the University Honors Program Thesis Research Symposium.

Elective Honors Credits for GER or requirements in a student’s major from the following courses: Art 111, Engl 111, Engl 112, Engl 211, Govt 111, Hist 105, Hist 106, Hist 160, Hist 161, Hist 266, Math 113, Math 114, Mus 107, Soci 155, Spch 105, SPAN 111, SPAN 211, and SPAN 313

Restricted Honors credit is limited to students in specific degree programs or otherwise limited by eligibility: Art 393, Bsad 241, Biol 372, Biol 406, Honr 221, Honr 321, Honr 350, Huma 381, Huma 481, Nurs 385, Univ 152.

Students may petition for up to nine (9) credit hours of Honors credit in non-Honors credit by completing a petition contract to complete an Honors project in a course.

Take Two Types of Honors Courses

ART 111. Honors Art Appreciation. 3-3-0. Prerequisite: Honors standing. Introduction to the visual arts. History of architecture, painting, sculpture, ceramics, drawing, printmaking, photography, and graphic design. (50.0701)

ART 393.   Honors Readings in Art History.   3-3-0.   Prerequisites:   Honors standing.   One of the following:   HIST 105-106, ENG 211 or Any Art Appreciation, Art History Survey, or Fine Arts Survey.     Assigned readings, oral presentations, group discussion, and written topics dealing with art history.   May be repeated for credit once if content is different. (50.0703)

BIOL 124.   Honors Human Anatomy and Physiology I. 3-3-0. Prerequisite: Honors placement. A descriptive presentation of the structure and function of the organ systems of the human body covering anatomical terminology, introduction to biological molecules, cells, tissues, bones, muscles, and nervous system. Includes clinical applications. Utilizes multimedia with interactive assignments.   (26.0403)

BIOL 126.   Honors Human Anatomy and Physiology II.   3-3-0. Prerequisites: Honors placement.   A descriptive presentation of the structure and function of the organ systems of the human body covering the cardiovascular, immune, respiratory, digestive, excretory and reproductive systems.   Includes clinical considerations and utilizes multimedia with interactive assignments. (26.0707)

BIOL 372. Honors Topics in the Biological Sciences. 2-2-0. Prerequisites: Honors placement and BIOL 320, 326, or permission of the department head. A selected topic in modern biological sciences. Sp only. (26.9999)

BIOL 406. Honors Colloquium in the Biological Sciences. 1-1-1. Prerequisites: Honors placement and senior standing. Lectures and discussion of current advances, underlying principles, and paradigm dynamics in the biological sciences. Fa only. (26.9999)

BSAD 241. Honors Legal Environment of Business. 3-3-0. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing and Honors placement or permission of department head. Exploration of the relationships among legal, political, and business environments through current events and real-world observation while utilizing written and oral communication skills; relevant areas of law and their practical application to business decisions including constitutional law, torts, intellectual property, civil procedure, employment law, and discrimination in the workplace. (52.0101)

ENGL 111. Honors English Composition I. 3-3-0. Prerequisite: Honors placement or permission of department head. Writing in the humanities through exploration of texts related to history, the arts, literature, and philosophy. (23.0401)

ENGL 112. Honors English Composition II. 3-3-0. Prerequisite: Honors placement, C or better in ENGL 111, or permission of department head. Independent research strategies and argumentative writing for the illumination of interrelations among disciplines, current events, and questions of ethics, values, and beliefs. C or better in ENGL 112 is required for graduation. (23.0401)

ENGL 211. Honors Studies in Literature and Culture. 3-3-0. Prerequisites: Completion of freshman English and admission to Honors Program. Examination of how literature has contributed to the invention of the modern mind. (23.0801)

GOVT 111. Honors American National Government. 3-3-0. Prerequisite: Honors placement or permission of department head. An in-depth analysis of the principles, structure, and functions of the national government of the United States. Degree credit will not be given for both GOVT 101 and GOVT 111. (45.1001)

HIST 105. Honors Western Civilization. 3-3-0. Prerequisite: Honors placement or permission of department head. Tracing the development of western culture from the beginnings of “civilization” to the mid-seventeenth century through analyses of contemporary writings and historical interpretations. Degree credit will not be given for both HIST 101 and HIST 105. (54.0101)

HIST 106. Honors Western Civilization. 3-3-0. Prerequisite: Honors placement of permission of department head. Tracing the development of western culture from the mid-seventeenth century to the present through analyses of contemporary writings and historical interpretations. Degree credit will not be given for both HIST 102 and HIST 106. (54.0101)

HIST 160. Honors World History I. 3-3-0. Prerequisite: Honors Placement or permission of department head. Political, intellectual, social and economic developments in world history from the ancient world to 1500. This is an honors course that explores the development of global civilizations from Paleolithic times to the Renaissance. Degree credit will not be given for both HIST 150 and HIST 160. (54.0101)

HIST 161. Honors World History II. 3-3-0. Prerequisite: Honors Placement or permission of department head. Political, intellectual, social and economic developments in world history from 1500 to the present day. This ia an honors course that explores the development of societies and their interactions. Degree credit will not be given for both HIST 151 and HIST 161. (54.0101)

HIST 266.  Honors American History.  3-3-0.  Prerequisite:  Honors placement or permission of department head.  Themes in American history from 1876 to present.  Degree credit will not be given for both HIST 256 and HIST 261.  (53.0101).

HONR 221.  Honors Service I.  1-0-3. Prerequisites: HUMA 111 and permission of the Honors Director. Specific campus service learning assignments. (30.9999)

HONR 321. Honors Service II. 1-0-3. Prerequisites: HUMA 111 and permission of the Honors Director. Specific campus or community service-learning assignments. (30.9999)

HONR 350. Honors Special Topics. 3-3-0. Prerequisites: Junior standing and permission of the Honors Director. A selected topic in the arts, humanities, or sciences. May be repeated if content is different. May substitute for elective in major at discretion of department head. (26.9999)

HONR 401. Honors Prospectus. 1-0-3. Prerequisites: Senior standing, sixteen hours of honors course credits, permission of the department head of the studentâ€TMs major, and permission of the Honors Director. Selection and planning of directed study in an area of the major. (30.9999)

HONR 402. Honors Thesis. 3-0-6. Prerequisites: HONR 401, senior standing, sixteen hours of honors course credits, permission of the department head of the student’s major, and permission of Honors Director. Directed study in the major field. Product of the study to be presented to interested communities. Students must contact the department head of the major one semester prior to enrollment in this course. May be substituted for an existing required/elective course in the major at the discretion of the academic department. (30.9999)

HUMA 111. The Honors Forum. 1-1-0. Prerequisite: Honors placement or permission of the Honors Coordinator. Lectures, discussions, recitals, concerts, exhibitions, and demonstrations that reflect the interdisciplinary focus of the Honors Program. S or U assigned upon completion of course. May be repeated when topic differs. (24.0101)

HUMA 382. Honor Humanities Study Abroad I. 3-2-2. Prerequisites: Thirteen hours of honors course credit, junior class standing, and permission of Honors Program Director. Intensive study of a European country with emphasis on its culture, history, and society. Requires up to four weeks of study in country. (24.0103)

HUMA 482. Honors Humanities Abroad II. 3-2-2. Prerequisites: Enrollment or credit in HONR 401 and permission of Honors Program Director. Intensive study of a Latin American country with emphasis on culture, history, society and ecology. Requires up to four weeks of study in country. (24.0103)

MUS 107. Honors Music Appreciation. 3-3-0. Prerequisite: Honors placement or permission of department head. Social, economic, and political influences on composers and their works. (50.0902)

MATH 113. Honors Pre-Calculus. 3-3-0. Prerequisite: ACT math sub-score of 24 or higher. Permission of Honors Director and department head. (27.0101)

MATH 114. Honors Trigonometry. 3-3-0. Prerequisite: 24 MATH ACT. Honors based investigation of trigonometric ratios, circular functions and graphs, solutions of triangles, inverse functions, identities and equations. (27.0101)

NURS 385. Honors Special Topics in Global Health Care. 3-3-0. Prerequisite: Permission of department head. Selected topics related to health and health care. May be repeated for credit if content differs. (51.1699)

SOCI 155. Honors Introductory Sociology. 3-3-0. Prerequisite: Honors placement or permission of department head. In-dept analysis of theories and trends of society and social action with particular reference to life in the United States today. Degree credit will not be given for both SOCI 151 and SOCI 155. (45.1101)

SPAN 111. Honors Elementary Spanish. 3-3-0. Prerequisite: Honors placement or permission of department head. This accelerated introductory course emphasizes reading, speaking, listening, and writing while exploring linguistic and cultural concepts in the Spanish-speaking world. Credit towards graduation may not be earned in this course and SPAN 101 and/or 102. (16.0905)

SPAN 211. Honors Intermediate Spanish. 3-3-0. Prerequisites: Honors placement or permission of department head, and C or better in SPAN 102 or 111. This accelerated intermediate course continues emphasizing reading, speaking, listening, and writing while exploring linguistic and cultural concepts in the Spanish-speaking world. Credit towards graduation may not be earned in this course and SPAN 201 and/or 202. (16.0905)

SPAN 313. Honors Advanced Spanish Composition and Conversation. 3-3-0. Prerequisites: Honors placement or permission of department head, and C or better in SPAN 202 or 211. This accelerated advanced course emphasizes writing and speaking with attention to style, syntax, idioms, and other grammatical forms in Spanish. Credit towards graduation may not be earned in this course and SPAN 303. (16.0905)

SPCH 105. Honors Public Speaking. 3-3-0. Prerequisite: Honors placement or permission of the department head. Understanding of and practice in the basics of public speaking. Emphasis on student responsibility for the learning process, additional creative speaking assignments, and research/service projects. (23.1001)

By proposing and completing additional, exemplary work in a course that is not an Honors course, you can earn Honors credit in that course. Just like completing an Honors course (Art 111, for example), completing any such “Honors-by-petition” will count toward the 24 Honors credits required to complete the Honors Program and to earn the Honors Award at graduation.

To begin this process, you must approach the course instructor with the proposition of earning Honors credit in the course. An instructor unfamiliar with the process may ask you to see and read the Petition and Proposal Form for instructions. You and the instructor will collaborate on designing this additional work, and then you must describe the specifics of the work in a brief paragraph that must be signed and attached to the form. The form requires four approval signatures before submission to the Honors program so you should organize your petition in a timely manner.

Satisfactory completion of additional work, as deemed by the instructor, will result in “Honors Credit Earned” appearing below the course name on your transcript. For additional information (guides and forms), please see Student and Faculty Resources.

I.  Advanced Placement Credits
YEAR*COURSE NAMECOURSE
NUMBER

REQUIRE-

MENT

CREDIT

HRS

    3
    3
II.  Required Honors Credits
1Huma111HONORS1
1Huma111HONORS1
4Honr401HONORS1
4Honr402HONORS3
III.  Elective Honors Credits (select a few of the courses for General Education requirements and for discipline specific course requirements).
1-2Art111 3
1Engl111 3
1Engl112 3
2Engl221 3
1Govt111 3
1Hist105 3
1Hist106 3
2Hist160 3
2Hist161 3
2Hist266 3
1Math113 3
1Math114 3
1Mus107 3
1Soci155 3
1Spch105 3
IV.  Restricted Honors Credit
3Art393 3
2Bsad241 3
3Biol372 2
4Biol406 1
3Huma381 3
3Huma481 3
3Nurs385 3
V.  Honors Course by Petition Credits
3   3
3   3
3   3
Grand total24 minimum

*Recommended complete as Freshman (1), Sophomore (2), Junior (3), Senior (4)

Students may use the Credit Audit chart in Student Resources to track their progress.  For questions, please contact one of the Honors faculty & staff.

STUDENT RESOURCES AND FAQ

Q. Where is the University Honors Program office located?
A. The University Honors Program office is located in 111 Gouaux Hall. This office is in the corner of the building diagonal from Ellender Hall. It is the corner office between the Department of Biological Sciences and the Chef John Folse Culinary Institute.

Q. How do I join the University Honors Program?
A. Download an Honors Program Application or pick one up in the Honors Office (111 Gouaux Hall). Please include a one-time $35 student activity fee, 100 percent of which goes to support academic and other activities while an honors student at Nicholls. Make your check payable to University Honors Program, Nicholls State University, P.O. Box 2021, Thibodaux, LA 70310, or deliver it to the honors office.

Q. What are the requirements to join the University Honors Program?
A. Incoming freshmen must have an ACT composite score of at least 25, with no component score below 20. Current Nicholls students may apply for admission after completing 12 or more hours with a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or greater. Requirements for transfer students are the same as those for current Nicholls students.

Q. How do I stay in the University Honors Program?
A. Maintain a 3.2 GPA or higher and earn at least three hours of honors credit per year (by completion or by petition).

Q. How do I graduate from the University Honors Program?
A. Complete 18 hours of honors courses, two hours of Honors Forum (HUMA 111) and four hours of honors independent study (HONR 401 and HONR 402), all with a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or greater.

Q. How can I get involved?
A. After filling out an application, attend meetings at posted times, run for a position on the Honors Student Council, head down to the Honors Student Center in 160 Beauregard Hall or join other members in honors-sponsored events. There’s so much to do!

Q. Where does the Honors Abroad Program travel?
A. The Honors Abroad Program currently travels to England and Costa Rica, where students academic and humanities credits. More locations are planned for future excursions.

Q. What are the requirements to travel with the Honors Abroad Program?
A. You must be in good standing with the University Honors Program and have earned at least 60 credit hours (junior status). Other criteria apply and are announced to honors students by e-mail and postings to this Web site.

CONTACT INFO

Office Location:
Gouaux Hall 111
Mailing Address:
P.O. 2020
Thibodaux, LA 70310
Phone: 985.449.7124
Fax: 985.493.2614
E-mail: Brigett Scott
honors@nicholls.edu

CAMPUS LOCATION

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