Future Students
If you are a current college student who will be transferring to OSU, click here!
Welcome to the Honors College at OSU.
New to the Honors College?
Honors Courses
Apply Now
To apply for admission into the Honors College, students simply need to select 'Yes' when asked whether or not they would like to join the Honors College in the OSU application form.
- Students will then be asked to respond to the "Honors Question". Don't worry, it's goofy and will not be factored into the evaluation. Its purpose is to ensure students don't accidentally select to apply to Honors.
- If a student meets our automatic admission criteria then this should be the final step before attending New Student Orientation. However, if a student falls below this automatic criteria, we would love the opportunity to give further consideration to the application and encourage students to fill out the holistic review form (also included in the main OSU application).
Honors College Awards/Degree
There are three different awards you can earn in the Honors College.
- General Honors Award: This award is earned primarily while completing the general education requirements. As of Fall 2025, the General Honors Award requires 15 honors credit hours.
- Departmental/College Honors Award: This award is earned in your major field of study and varies depending upon the college or department. As of Fall 2025, the College or Departmental Honors Award requires a minimum of 12 upper-division honors credit hours, including a 3-hour thesis prep and 3-hour thesis or creative component.
- Honors College Degree: Earned by completion of both the General Honors Award and the College or Departmental Honors Award with a minimum of 30 honors credit hours. Students earning the Honors College Degree are the only undergraduates who wear a baccalaureate hood at commencement ceremonies, they receive a special honors diploma, and the Honors College Degree is posted to their undergraduate transcripts.
Honors College Advantages
There are some additional perks to being an honors student, such as:
- Priority enrollment which allows honors students to enroll the very first day classes become available.
- Small class sizes which lend to a more interactive and engaging learning environment.
- Access to additional college funding opportunities.
More Prospective Student Resources
Office of Undergraduate Admissions
Still weighing your options on where you'll be attending school next fall? No problem. The Office of Undergraduate Admissions can help schedule your personalized tour of the Honors College.
Attend a virtual campus tour. See the updated deadlines for admissions. Get in touch with your admissions counselor. You can ask them tons of questions.
Housing & Residential Life
Haven't decided where to live next semester? Check out the virtual tour of all our residential options here at OSU. Hint: The Honors College has Living Learning Programs (LLP) based in Stout Hall and West Bennett.
Res Life virtual tour Honors LLP info