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General Honors

Important Policies
FAQ
Important General Honors Policies to know:

  • Students who complete a single undergraduate major may not satisfy general honors requirements with any course in their major field. (For example, a student whose only major is mathematics may not use any course carrying the MATH prefix to satisfy general honors requirements.)

  • Students who complete two or more majors may use any approved course to satisfy general honors requirements.

  • Many general honors courses have prerequisites or co-requisites. Refer to individual course descriptions for specific details.

  • Mathematics General Honors courses and some General Honors Chemistry and Physics courses may not be applied toward General Honors by any student whose degree program specifically lists those courses as requirements for graduation. This restriction does not apply to students with a double major.

  • Even if you do not complete the entire General Honors Program successfully, these courses still fulfill many requirements for numerous majors and minors. You have nothing to lose and much to gain.

FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions about General Honors in Arts and Sciences:

Can I substitute for a General Honors course? 
What courses can count and what courses can’t count for General Honors?
Can I get a scholarship for taking math or computer science courses?
How do I find out which General Honors courses are being offered?
How do I apply for General Honors?
Which GPA is used for the minimum overall 3.5 requirement?
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Can I substitute for a General Honors course?
AP and CLEP courses have not been accepted as substitutions for General Honors courses.  Note, however, that some General Honors courses have prerequisites which the AP or CLEP may meet.  In other words, you may have a choice of courses that students without the prerequisite do not have.

Transfer credit from other universities has only very rarely been accepted.  This is not because these transfer courses may not be good courses in their own right (and may transfer as a Truman course designated as approved for General Honors), but instead because those courses do not typically offer the opportunities for interactions between students and faculty with the variety of liberal arts interests that we commonly see in Truman's general honors courses.  Again, you may be able to take a more advanced course for General Honors by meeting a prerequisite.

General Honors supports Study Abroad and substitution credit has been granted for some Study Abroad coursework, especially in Humanities or Social Science.  The maximum credit is towards fulfilling one General Honors course (3 hours).  The substitution may not have to be for the equivalent of a specific General Honors course.

To request a substitution, contact a member of the General Honors committee.  If the representative of the General Honors committee considers that the request deserves further examination by the committee, you will be asked to submit a course syllabus/syllabi, a transcript, and a cover letter explaining how you believe your experience fulfills the General Honors requirement.  Sometimes students also submit major papers or work done for their courses.

What courses can count and what courses cannot count for General Honors?
Students may (double) count approved General Honors courses (unless they are in their major discipline) that also are designated as fulfilling LSP or minor requirements. 

Students may NOT count courses in their major discipline towards General Honors unless they are a double major.  That is, students may not count any course with their major discipline prefix (e.g. ENG) or that counts towards the actual (30 + hours) major.  (Note: STAT 290 can count for all majors.) Required support and BS requirements, etc., can count with the following few exceptions. Certain disciplines have restrictions on counting certain courses.  These courses are: MATH 263, 264, CHEM 120, (CHEM 421 for biology majors if used for their major) and PHYS 185, 186, 195, and 196.  For example, PHYS 185-186 can not count for other majors that require it; these majors may usually count PHYS 195-196 for General Honors.  If you have a question, consult the General Honors in Arts and Sciences committee member in that area.

Can I get a scholarship for taking math or computer science courses?
If you will be taking a math or computer science course that does not meet a requirement for your current major (but could count toward a math or computer science major) and you have financial need, you may be eligible to apply for an Incentive Scholarship.  These SMACS Incentive Scholarships are up $500, or more if taking more than one course.  Applications will be reviewed for fall beginning around March 27 and for spring, shortly before registration.  See more at the website: http://smacs.truman.edu/.

How do I find out which General Honors courses are being offered?
You can search the open course list in TruView by GH designation (under “attribute type”) by discipline.  To search for all General Honors courses in all disciplines, use ENTER + SHIFT + END (simultaneously, not in sequence).  NASC 400 and MATH 455 are fall only; NASC 401 and MATH 456 are spring only.

How do I apply for General Honors?

Paper worksheet:  There is a worksheet on the website (link) or copies are available.  Print it off or get a copy from a committee member and fill in the information.  If you are currently taking a course but have not yet completed it, fill in the course name and semester, and leave the grade blank.  Have the form signed by your adviser and a member of the General Honors committee (link).  Turn it in to the Registrar with your “Intent to Graduate” form after you have enrolled for your last semester.
An on-line worksheet will be available in the future.

Which GPA is used for the minimum overall 3.5 requirement?
Your cumulative GPA is the GPA that is used.  It is the same one that is used for determining cum laude, etc.  Note:  Only students whose cumulative overall GPA is at least 3.5 as of their next to last semester, are eligible to participate in the medal ceremony.  If your cumulative GPA is below 3.5 going into your last semester, but after final grades, you do have a cumulative GPA meeting the required minimum 3.5, you will receive General Honors in Art and Sciences.  You will be mailed the medal with the certificate, and you will be eligible to participate in the next medal ceremony, if you so desire.