Benefits of being a CSU Honors student

Charleston Southern University’s Honors Program recognizes and challenges qualifed students in their academic fields. Starting with freshman year, and dependent of status of transfer students, this program has enabled students to show their academic excellence. If you are thinking about joining this program, there are standards you must meet in order to apply. 

Charleston Southern Honors is a program for up to 30 qualified students per academic year. The qualifications for incoming freshmen are: a minimum 1270 SAT score or 27 ACT score, a minimum 85 on the CLT, and a 3.5 or higher on the 4.0 scale for high school GPA. Students who have not completed their freshman year are also offered the opportunity to apply if they maintain a 3.9 GPA and have less than 30 hours of coursework. If accepted, the initial decision will be announced no later than April 1, and any open spots will be filled on a first-come basis. The head of honors program is Dr. Peter Beck, professor of Christian studies. He has been a part of the CSU Honors program since August 2008 and recently revised the program to better suit our student’s needs. 

There are many benefits for students who are selected into the CSU Honors program. To start, it is highly recognized by employers and graduate schools when a student graduates with Honors. 

There is also the Hamrick Scholarship offered to 10 incoming Honors students. This is a full-tuition scholarship applicants can apply for in the fall prior to their enrollment at Charleston Southern. The application process includes students doing in-person interviews, a prompted essay, and having their standardized testing scores and GPA considered. If selected, the students are expected to maintain the academic standards and participate in Honors programming. 

Honors Program Benefits:

• Students may earn up to 24 credits by taking CLEP, College-Level Examination Program, General Exams. Through the Honors program, the CLEP exams are at no charge for students. 
• Honors students are also given priority registration. This allows students to register for classes on the first day regardless of what their class standing may be. 
• Honors program students also have the opportunity to spend a semester in Washington D.C. This is where students from many different South Carolina universities live, intern, and study on Capitol Hill. Students may earn 15 hours of university credit to put towards their degree. 
• Every other year, the Honors program allows students the option to replace one Honors Core course with a travel course. Financial assistance may be offered to those who are participating as well. 
• CSU Honors Students are given special advantages inside the university as well. They are allowed to take up to 21 credit hours with no special approval or extra charge. 
• Students are given special advisors who are designated specifically to represent the Honors program. These advisors are the department chairs of each college, as well. 
• The core honors classes are smaller in size, ranging from 5-15 students. 
• Finally, CSU Honors students are heavily recognized throughout the university, whether it is through award ceremonies, graduations, or receiving the designation on their transcripts. 

If interested in the CSU Honors program, make sure to fill out an application with Enrollment Services.

Brianna Parker is a graduate student in the CSU College of Adult and Professional Studies studying Master of Science in project management. She is also a graduate assistant for the CSU Office of Marketing and Communication.