Honors College

The Honors College

A select group of entering first-year students is invited to become part of the University Scholars Program, a community of learners and leaders who receive George Mason's most competitive merit-based scholarships.  

Admissions

Admission to the Honors College is based on a holistic review of each student's academic performance as well as any other information included in the general application, such as rigor of coursework, standardized test scores, class rank, essay response, teacher recommendations, outstanding leadership, and commitment to community service. Space is limited in each class, and admissions criteria may vary according to the applicant pool in any given year.

Admission to the Honors College requires an application and is open to both incoming first-year and transfer students. Students who were not initially admitted to the Honors College may apply after their first semester if they meet the eligibility criteria.

Policies

Continuation in Honors College

Honors College students are subject to the policies outlined in AP.5.2 Academic Standing. A student whose GPA falls below 2.50 may be required to participate in an academic support program approved by the Honors College Support Team. Students who do not communicate or fulfill the requirements of the program may be ineligible to continue in the Honors College. 

Students are required to take and pass with a grade of "C" or higher either HNRS 110 Principles of Research and Inquiry or HNRS 310 Principles of Research and Inquiry for Upper-Level Students in their first year in the Honors College to maintain their Honors College status.  Students are provided one additional attempt (dependent on their timeline and enrollment). If unsuccessful in their second attempt, students will be ineligible to continue in the Honors College. 

Honors College students are expected to adhere to the university's academic standards. Students may be asked to withdraw from the program for a violation of George Mason University's Academic Standards or any other conduct that reflects adversely on the Honors College.

Students who leave the Honors College before completion of the curriculum must meet Mason Core requirements and college-level requirements for their particular degree programs. On leaving the Honors College and before registering for Mason Core courses, students should be advised on mappings between the Honors College courses they have completed and Mason Core requirements.

Transfer of Honors College Credits

Because of the sequential and integrated nature of the program, Honors College courses may not correspond exactly to courses used to fulfill Mason Core requirements. A list of mappings is available from Honors College advisors.

Honors Curriculum

Starting in their first semesters on campus, Honors College students are challenged to identify, articulate, and evaluate multiple perspectives on questions of cultural, scientific, or global significance and to consider evidence that broadens their understanding and challenges their beliefs.

The Honors College inquiry-driven curriculum provides exceptionally motivated students with an alternative to the Mason Core. The Honors College curriculum allows students increased opportunities to pursue minors and other individual interests such as extended research. Students may also take honors sections of courses offered by units other than the Honors College. Beyond the Honors College requirements, students must satisfy all requirements of their college and major and George Mason undergraduate program requirements for admissions, residency, credit hours, quality, and upper-level credits.

Students who complete the Honors College curriculum will receive a designation of Honors College Requirements Completed on their transcripts.

Students must take a minimum of 12 credits of HNRS courses from the Honors College at George Mason. Students must also complete the Foundations; Inquiry in the Arts, Humanities, & Social Sciences; Civic Engagement; Multi-Disciplinary Challenges requirements. Students must earn a grade of C or higher in the Honors College Foundations and Civic Engagement requirements. The Inquiry in the Arts, Humanities, & Social Sciences requirement will be waived for all students who enter with the AAAS waiver. These students must take a minimum of 9 credits of HNRS courses from the Honors College at George Mason.

Foundations

Introduction to Inquiry and Research: Honors students are introduced to methods for formulating, articulating, pursuing, and communicating research questions and the subsequent findings.

Students must take one of the following during their first semester as an Honors College student:

Inquiry in the Arts, Humanities, & Social Sciences

Students will pursue answers to focused questions in the arts, humanities, and social sciences. Specific topics will vary by semester and section.  (12 credits)

Civic Engagement

Students will explore their roles and responsibilities in society and/or identify and address issues of public or community concern. Specific topics will vary by semester and section (3 credits).

Multi-Disciplinary Challenges

Students will address complex challenges through scholarly research or experiential learning. Specific topics will vary by semester and section (3 credits).

Additional Requirements

• Quantitative Reasoning:  The Honors College quantitative reasoning requirement mirrors the quantitative reasoning requirement of a student's college and major.

• Science: The Honors College science requirement mirrors the science requirement of a student's college and major.

• Foreign Language: Students pursuing BA degrees may have a foreign language requirement.

• Beyond the Honors College requirements, students must satisfy all requirements of their college and major and George Mason undergraduate program requirements for admissions, residency, credit hours, quality, and upper-level credits.

Honors College (HNRS)