To complete the Honors Program, a student must earn a cumulative grade point average of 3.50 or above, earn a minimum of 24 hours of Honors credit, including at least 6 hours at the 300- and/or 400- levels, and complete a senior Honors project.  Honors credit may be earned in two ways: (1) by taking specially designated Honors sections of courses in the University curriculum; and (2) by contracting for Honors credit in non-Honors sections.

Admission

Students with fewer than 15 semester hours of college credit are eligible for admission into the Jane Stephens Honors Program if they have a cumulative high school grade point average of at least 3.75 on a 4.0 scale (or its equivalent) or if they have at least a 3.50 cumulative high school grade point average (on a 4.0 scale, or its equivalent) and an ACT score of 27 or higher.

Transfer students wanting to enter the Jane Stephens Honors Program must have at least 15 semester hours of college credit and a 3.50 cumulative college grade point average. 

Students who do not meet the standards given above may be admitted to the Jane Stephens Honors Program by petition if, at the end of at least 15 semester hours of college work, they have earned a cumulative grade point average of 3.50 or above. 

University Student Requirements

For current students, requirements differ between traditional and international students. We’ve broken those down for you below.

Current Traditional Students

To be admitted to the program, your cumulative GPA will need to be 3.50 or higher, with at least 15 college credit hours completed (this does include transfer hours).

International Students

Your cumulative GPA will need to be 3.50 or higher, with at least 15 college credit hours completed (this does include transfer hours). However, this program is not for exchange students who will not be enrolled as full-time undergraduate students.

Join the Jane Stephens Honors Program

Apply Now

The Honors Program is designed to let you explore the world of Honors classes and get to know other exceptional students. Students who complete the program will be recognized as Honors Scholars and receive a medallion to be worn at commencement. Completion of the program requirements will also be noted on your transcript.

Frequently Asked Questions

We receive a lot of questions about the Honors Program from prospective and current students. Take a look at this FAQ to see if your question is already answered. If you don’t see your question listed here, please get in touch with us.

Honors classes are not designed to be more difficult than non-Honors classes or to cover a greater amount of material.  The Honors curriculum is designed to allow you to study, explore, and understand concepts and issues more deeply and thoroughly.  Consequently, Honors classes provide the opportunity for greater interaction and discussion among the instructor and the Honors students about these concepts and issues.  While we certainly expect our Honors faculty to challenge you and to inspire you to think critically, they will be there to guide you through the exciting process of exploration, discovery, and scholarly activity.  Please keep in mind that our Honors faculty members are among the most dedicated teachers and scholars at Southeast, and they are devoted to your success in the Jane Stephens Honors Program.  Therefore, most Honors students prefer their Honors classes to their non-Honors classes because the intellectual atmosphere is such that learning becomes enjoyable and exciting!

Honors contracts are a means of obtaining Honors credit for classes taught by Honors faculty members but are not specifically designated as Honors classes. 

If you do not complete the Jane Stephens Honors Program, it does not appear on your transcript and does not delay your graduation.  Joining the Stephens Honors Program is a “win-only” opportunity because you will be one of the dedicated Honors students taught by our Honors faculty members, who are excellent teachers committed to your success at Southeast. 

The only “penalty” for not remaining active in the Jane Stephens Honors Program is you miss the benefits and opportunities of being included among a dedicated and supportive group of Honors students and Honors faculty. 

If you no longer want to participate in the Jane Stephens Program, please email us at honors@semo.edu or call us at (573) 651-2513. 

You will need to log into your portal: Student SS tab>Current Student Checklist>Priority Registration date for [Semester, Year] please see the Step-by-Step guide here under the Priority Registration tab. 
Location
Office
Memorial 103
Mailing Address
One University Plaza, MS 4575
Cape Girardeau, MO 63701
Hours
Monday through Thursday / 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Friday / 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.