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Honors students preparing a term paper. The Honors Program draws greatly from self-paced study.

Transfer Students

Students transferring to SMU from another college or university are encouraged to apply to the University Honors Program.   Applications will be evaluated according to the following characteristics:

  • High School GPA and class rank
  • Transfer GPA and difficulty of coursework
  • Difficulty of High School curriculum and how many Honors and/or Advanced Placement courses were taken
  • SAT and/or ACT scores, with an emphasis on SAT Verbal and ACT English scores

Depending on how many classes transfer to SMU, transfer students may complete a modified version of the SMU Honors Program requirements. A general outline is provided below.

  • One of two Honors English Courses (Three Credit Hours)
    • ENGL 2311 - Understanding and Doubting
    • ENGL 2312 - Human Responsibility

The Honors English courses serve as the foundation for all future Honors coursework.   A wide variety of texts will be read and discussed, creating a discourse of shared knowledge and experience within the Honors student community.   This course must be taken within one year of matriculation to SMU.  

  • At least one , and up to three Honors Perspectives Course, chosen from 6 Categories (Three to Nine Credit Hours)
    • Group I - Arts
    • Group II - Literature
    • Group III - Religious and Philosophical Thought
    • Group IV - History and Art History
    • Group V - Politics and Economics
    • Group VI - Behavioral Sciences

Five Perspectives courses in five different groups are required for all students at SMU.   Honors Students take three of these five as Honors.   In many cases, AP and transfer credit can be applied to fulfill non-Honors Perspective credit.   If a transfer student has more than one remaining Perspective course, all remaining Perspectives courses, up to three, must be taken as Honors.

  • Two Cultural Formations Courses (Six Credit Hours)
Cultural Formations Courses (CFs) are interdisciplinary classes required for all students at SMU.   Honors students will take both CFs as Honors.   These courses seek to integrate knowledge from different academic disciplines in order to create a dynamic and exciting learning experience.   SMU does not accept transfer credit to fulfill CF requirements.