Honors Program Requirements

• The following requirements are effective beginning Fall term 2026.

• Students admitted into the Honors Program must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.25.

• If a student falls below a 3.0 GPA, the student will be removed from the program.  If the student’s GPA rises back to the 3.25 minimum in a later semester, the student can reach out to the Dean to request reinstatement in the program. 

  If the student's GPA is between a 3.0 and a 3.25, they will have one semester to raise their cumulative GPA to a 3.25.  If at the end of the following semester, the student’s GPA has risen, the student will remain in the program.  If the GPA has fallen further, the student will be removed from the program. 

  Students must hold a minimum 3.25 cumulative GPA in the term when they apply for graduation.

• Students are required to complete at least 12-25 hours of Honors credit depending on the level of honors they wish to achieve (see below).

• Community service should be at the heart of who we are and how we define ourselves. Honors students are expected to complete a minimum of five (5) hours of community service each fall and spring semester. Our hope is that once you begin to participate in community service events, you will complete far more than the minimum required number of hours.

• Engagement is a critical element in becoming a good citizen of every community to which we belong.  Such engagement includes being a part of social and academic events held in the Honors Commons. In the attempt to provide opportunities for honors students to strengthen their sense of community, all honors students are expected to attend a minimum of four events in the Honors Commons each academic year, two in the fall and two in the spring semester.

Honors students will abide by the Code of Student Conduct as set forth in the APSU Student Handbook. Violating the Student Code of Conduct will result in removal from the Honors Program.

What Qualifies an Honors Student?

• At the point of Admission to the Honors Program, students must have a 3.5 unweighted high-school GPA or a minimum 24 on the ACT.

• They also must complete the Honors Program Application.

APSU Students having completed 1 or more semesters:

APSU students who did not start the Honors Program in their first semester must have a minimum 3.5 cumulative APSU GPA to be admitted to the Honors Program and have satisfied all Reading, Writing, and Math proficiencies. Students may apply to the Honors Program by contacting the Dean of the Honors College at honors@apsu.edu.  

Transfer Students:

Transfer students must have a minimum 3.5 cumulative GPA from their prior institution.  Any prior Honors credit may be applied as substitutions for Honors courses at APSU. Transfer students will be required to complete the courses appropriate to their level of achievement. For example, a student who comes in as a junior will be required to complete at least 12 hours of Honors coursework. High-achieving students who transfer to Austin Peay can apply to the Honors Program by contacting the Dean of the Honors College at honors@apsu.edu.

Levels of Recognition for Graduation

We want to celebrate your successes, so Honors students are recognized for their participation on their transcripts with the designation, Honors Program.  Every time you apply for a job, your potential employers will see that near the top of your transcripts. 

They are also recognized in the graduation program at four levels for their work in the Honors Program.  The following designations are used to recognize Honors students:

12 Hours of honors credit, Achievement in Honors

18 Hours of honors credit, High Achievement in Honors

24 Hours of honors credit, Excellent Achievement in Honors

24 hours of honors credit including an honors thesis,  Distinguished Honors Scholar

There are 4 types of Honors credit hours:

1. HON prefix classes (ex: HON 1045, HON 2220, HON 2110, etc.)
2. Designated Honors Sections of General Education Classes
3. "Hidden" Honors Classes--this list of 250 classes in student majors are designed around values of interdisciplinary study, global perspectives, research and innovation, service learning, and career readiness.
4. Honors Contract Classes--any course on campus can count as Honors credit with an Honors contract that adjusts the course expectations for the student to complete. For an Honors Contract, please reach out to the Dean at honors@apsu.edu.  

Community Service

The Honors Program strongly encourages a commitment to community service, fostering a sense of civic responsibility and engagement among its members. Each student enrolled in the program is encouraged to complete 5 hours of community service each semester. 

Opportunities for community service are abundant within the Honors Program and the President's Emerging Leaders Program (PELP). Students can participate in REAL Acts of Service, a collection of impactful community service initiatives, as well as various student-led events geared towards giving back to the local community.

Through these community service experiences, the Honors Program aims to nurture well-rounded individuals who not only excel academically but also actively contribute to the betterment of society through meaningful engagement and service.