Renée Crown University Honors Program at Syracuse University

Joining Honors:

If I was not invited into the Honors program when I applied to SU, is it too late to join?

Not at all. Both current SU students and applicants to SU may apply for admission to Honors. Current students are welcome to apply during your first semester for admission in your second semester. If you wish to apply later than that, you need to meet with an Honors advisor in advance to be sure you'll have time to complete our requirements.

What do I need to do to join the Honors program if I was not invited?

The application will ask you to write a few short essays; we look for exceptional academic achievement, and strong intellectual curiosity. Current SU students can stop by Honors in 306 Bowne Hall to pick up an application or download it from our website: http://honors.syr.edu/Prospective/CurrentSU.htm. If you have questions about applying, call us at 315/443-2759, or email Honors@syr.edu.

Are there any special living arrangements for first-year Honors students?

Yes. You may elect to live in one of the dozens of learning communities offered by the University. Honors students who do not elect one of these will be placed in proximity to other Honors students along with the rest of the incoming students, in University Residence Halls.
There are no special living arrangements for Honors students after the first year.

Will all my courses be Honors courses?

No. All Honors students take a minimum of four Honors courses during their four years and a one-credit Honors seminar. Many students take additional Honors courses as electives, and to fulfill other curriculum requirements. We encourage that.

I'm planning on studying abroad. Can I still complete the Honors requirements?

Many Honors students study abroad; we think that's terrific. Careful planning is necessary to ensure that you make progress on your Honors and major requirements while abroad, so meet with an Honors Advisor when you begin to make your study-abroad plans.
Study abroad actually counts toward the Honors "global awareness" requirement and, if you complete our process, it can count for an Honors course as well. Talk to Hanna Richardson well in advance of your trip to initiate that process.

If I was in an honor society or honors program in high school, does that mean that I am automatically invited to become an Honors student at SU?

No.

Maintaining Your Honors Status:

If my GPA falls below 3.4 (Architecture 3.2) for one semester, will I be dropped from the program?

No. We monitor your progress and if we are concerned, we will contact you.

Do I have to take Honors courses each semester?

No, but we do look for ongoing progress on Honors requirements as you proceed through the curriculum, including timely submission of a Capstone Proposal.

What if I want to take more than 19 credits in any given semester?

In rare cases, it may become necessary to take over 19 credits, and you can request permission to do so. This is intended to provide exceptional students the opportunity to take the number of credit hours they need for an appropriately challenging course load.
Will I be charged for the additional credits?

Registration for courses beyond 19 credits is subject to extra tuition charges. However, Honors students with a 3.5 cumulative grade point average or higher at the beginning of the semester in which they are registered for 20 credit hours or more will not be billed for the extra tuition charge, provided they have no outstanding grades of "I" (Incomplete).

Honorary Societies, Scholarships, and Opportunities:

What is the difference between the Honors Program and honor societies such as Phi Beta Kappa and Phi Kappa Phi?

The Honors Program has a set of academic and other requirements that students complete. Students who do so graduate with "Renée Crown University Honors" -- as noted on their transcripts and diplomas. Honor societies such as Phi Beta Kappa and Phi Kappa Phi are independent, national organizations that recognize outstanding academic achievement. Qualified students receive invitations to join.

What Honor societies are affiliated with the Honors Program?

Phi Beta Kappa and Phi Kappa Phi.

Is there funding to attend conferences?

Honors often takes students to National Collegiate Honors Council (NCHC) meetings, and we occasionally support Capstone students who are presenting their work at disciplinary academic conferences - the same ones attended by faculty. In general, we do not fund student travel to undergraduate conferences.

Are there special tuition scholarships associated with the Honors Program?

No.

Honors Courses:

Are Honors courses harder than regular courses?

Because Honors courses are smaller, and are limited to Honors students, they often engage the material in greater depth, and pursue it in greater detail, than other courses. Honors students enjoy the intellectual stimulation of having other Honors students in a small class where the quality of discussion is excellent, and many students report that this enhances their learning.

How many Honors courses do I have to take? Do I have to take one every semester?

All Honors students take a minimum of four Honors courses during their four years and a one-credit Honors seminar. Many students take additional Honors courses as electives, and to fulfill other curriculum requirements. You are not required to take an Honors course every semester. However, we do check to ensure that Honors students are making satisfactory progress in Honors requirements.

Should I wait until I complete my Liberal Arts Core -- or other -- requirements before be taking Honors courses?

No, you should use Honors courses to fulfill those requirements, where possible, because many Honors courses count toward school, college and program requirements. (The Honors course WRT 209, to take just one example, will count for WRT 205.)

What is the difference between an HNR course and other Honors courses?

Courses designated by the HNR prefix are generally special courses designed for the Honors program. Other Honors courses are honors versions of courses already being offered through various academic departments.

Capstone Project:

Does my Capstone Project have to be in my major?

Generally, yes. But we encourage you to relate it to other interests you have. Students with more than one major can propose an interdisciplinary project.

How does a Capstone Project differ from a departmental Senior Project/Thesis or a departmental Distinction Project/Thesis? Do I have to complete both?

Some departments require each major to complete a senior project or thesis. Honors does not ask those students to complete two projects: one for your major, and another for your Honors Capstone Project! You can use your Departmental Senior project as the basis for your Capstone Project. We do insist that the Honors project be larger in scope and higher in quality than the standard one. Speak with an Honors Advisor for more details.
Regarding Distinction Programs: some of these excellent programs for advanced undergraduates involve a seminar or series of seminars that teach research methods and help students write an advanced research paper (you may need to meet stringent entrance qualifications). If your department offers one, you should participate in it, if you qualify. The programs vary by department in format, but all provide an excellent path to success in the Capstone Project. In some cases (e.g., History, Economics), Honors will accept your distinction project as your written Honors Capstone Project. In other departments (e.g., ETS, Women's Studies), the work you complete in the distinction program can serve as the basis for your Honors Capstone Project.

When do I start my Capstone Project?

Most begin in the fall of the junior year, although Architecture students start in their final year. See the Capstone Guide for full details. Students abroad or in the "Maxwell in Washington Undergraduate Semester" (IR/DC) Program in the fall can request to start in the spring of the junior year.

If I plan to be abroad (or with IR/DC) during junior year, can I still complete a Capstone?

Many students begin terrific Capstone topics while studying abroad or in IR/DC, and conduct tremendously useful research through these experiences, especially if the off-campus study relates directly to their major. See an Honors advisor about how to plan for Capstone if you intend to study abroad or participate in IR/DC.

I am an artist/drama major/TRF student. Do I have to complete a research project or can I do a creative project like make a film, write a play, or complete works of art?

You can do a creative project: we receive many excellent films, scripts, paintings, fashion creations, screenplays, and more as Capstone Projects. Other students produce or direct theatrical productions; some star in full-length, one-person dramatic productions. All Capstone Projects also contain a written component; for creative projects, they are tailored to the specific project. If you have a strong creative idea, propose it; we'll consider it.

Are there funds to support Capstone research/production?

Yes, each year Honors awards more than a dozen awards to support Capstone research: the Crown and the Wise-Marcus awards. The awards vary from a few hundred dollars to $5,000 each, depending upon what is needed. It's well worth applying if you envision a project that will need financial support.

Can I complete the program without doing a Capstone Project?

No.

Honors Attributes:

Do I have to do my Civic Engagement activities here in Syracuse?

No, you can do them elsewhere -- abroad, for example. Several semesters of activities are required, but summers can count as semesters - at home or elsewhere.

If I complete a Civic Engagement Activity for another college or program, do I have to document it separately for Honors?

Yes.

If I get paid for an activity (e.g. at Summer camp for inner city kids, or tutoring), will it qualify as Civic Engagement?

In general, we ask that these activities be unpaid, but we do allow you to use a limited number of paid hours for specified activities such as on-campus tutoring, and there are other exceptions, such as serving as a resident advisor. See an Honors Advisor for more details.

Do I have to spend a semester abroad?

No. We encourage students to study abroad, but recognize that not all Honors students can do so. There are several ways to fulfill the Global Awareness requirement; see an Honors advisor for more information.

Are the lists of courses in the Curriculum section of the Honors Website the only courses that can fulfill Honors requirements such as Global Awareness, Collaborative Capacity, etc.?

The lists on our website are as complete and accurate as we can make them. You are welcome to bring in a syllabus for any course you think should count toward a requirement, for our consideration. The list is frequently updated that way.

Can I count a course for more than one Honors requirement?

Yes. For example, if a course has been approved to count for both public presentation and the collaborative requirement, then you can use that course to fulfill both requirements.