The Honors Program engages students in the critical examination of perennial questions and big ideas that thinkers have tackled across time and across cultures. Honors Scholars begin with a set of integrated Honors seminars. Taking one Honors Seminar each semester for four semesters, students trace the development of the moral and political commitments, religious practices, scientific achievements, and artistic sensibilities that shape our modern world. These seminars feature lively discussion and debate. Honors professors encourage students to think hard about difficult ideas, to ask unsettling questions, to defend what they say with good reasons, and to write well.
Beyond the seminars, Honors Scholars build their own Honors Portfolio. In it, students deliberately reflect on their own scholarly development, identify areas and skills they would like to further develop, and articulate the questions and issues that animate their curiosity. The Honors Portfolio is designed to foster both intellectual independence and close working relationships between professors and students. After completing a core set of four Honors seminars, Honors scholars review their Honors Portfolio with two TU professors (one from their home department and one from a different discipline) as a first step in designing their own Honors Plan – a course of action tailored to suit the scholar’s interests and aspirations. An Honors Plan complements a student’s studies in his or her major, and may include reserach, internships, additional coursework or independent tutorials in areas of interest.
Through the coursework, portfolio reflections and the Honors Plan, students hone their own voices as public intellectuals, connect their areas of expertise to pressing issues of the day, and continue to practice the art of conversation through the lively, interdisciplinary exchange of ideas.
Each Honors Seminar counts toward one of the block course requirements that all University of Tulsa students must fulfill. Honors Scholars may major in any academic discipline offered by the University.
Students interested in the Honors Program submit a separate application to the Honors Office. Students who are in the 95th percentile on national exams (ACT or SAT), have a high school grade point average of at least 3.5, or are in the top 10 percent of their graduating classes are strong candidates for admission.
An Honors Program scholarship is given annually to each participant. Information about Honors Program scholarships may be found in the Student Financial Services section of this Bulletin.
Honors Suites are available to incoming Honors Scholars who would like to live with other students engaged in the Honors curriculum. Visit Campus Housing and Dining for more information.
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