ACADEMIC STANDARDS
The Honors Program administers high academic standards. Honors Program staff are responsible for tracking student performance and ensuring that Honors graduation requirements are met. Staff members maintain regular communication with Honors students to update them on their status within the program, to remind them of important deadlines, and to help them to succeed in their academic endeavors.
To maintain "good standing" in the program, Honors students must meet minimum GPA requirements, complete their Honors curriculum in a timely manner, and maintain good character. A student's Cal Poly cumulative GPA is used as the primary measure of academic performance. This GPA must be at least 3.3 at the end of a student's first year. By the end of the second year, this GPA must be at least 3.4. By the end of subsequent years and at the time of graduation, this GPA must be at least 3.5. Students not meeting these academic standards may be disqualified from the Honors Program and prohibited from enrolling in Honors courses.
Honors probation exists for freshmen students earning a Cal Poly cumulative GPA below 3.3 at the end of their first year. A student on probation is given time during the sophomore year to improve his/her academic performance. A student not meeting the terms of his/her probation is disqualified from the program. Any student disqualified from the Honors Program may apply for reinstatement once he/she demonstrates improved performance and meets the minimum academic standards. Honors Program staff and faculty members are available to advise students on academic matters. Students are encouraged to work closely with these individuals to develop study plans for achieving Honors goals.
Current Cal Poly Honors students are encouraged to visit the Honors Program Canvas page for more information on academic standards. Please contact the Honors Program office if you have difficulty locating this information.
CURRICULUM
To graduate "with Honors," all Honors students admitted to Cal Poly as freshmen must complete the following curriculum. Admitted transfer and continuing Cal Poly students should contact the Honors Program office regarding their curricular requirements.
Features of the curriculum include:
- A first quarter 2-unit orientation course. This Credit/No Credit course provides students with the opportunity to work on interdisciplinary teams to research and implement a service project
- A 1-unit course on leader skill development and self-evaluation (HNRS 261)
- Five additional Honors courses (approved electives - minimum of 14 units) designed to provide engaging and challenging experiences for students. These are primarily GE courses that may be double-counted toward degree requirements but also include unique 1-unit Honors Seminars taught by distinguished Cal Poly faculty. More information below.
- A leadership experience co-curricular requirement
- A mentoring experience co-curricular requirement
- An approved Honors Track Experience (HNRS 361) focused on research, international study, or community service
- Senior project or an equivalent culminating experience completed within the student’s major
- A 1-unit Honors Capstone Seminar (HNRS 461) designed to link a student’s senior project with Honors Program learning objectives.
HONORS COURSES
Students satisfy their elective Honors course requirements by completing HNRS (standard) or HNRC (contract) courses approved by the Honors Program and University. Courses listed under the HNRS and HNRC prefix are summarized below:
HNRS: Courses with this prefix are primarily General Education (GE) courses available through different campus departments. GE Honors courses represent alternatives to the regular GE course offerings and are degree applicable for nearly all majors. These courses are reserved for Honors students and have a lower enrollment cap (25 students). The subject matter in these courses is explored with greater depth and focus on interdisciplinary learning. In addition to GE courses, campus departments may offer cross-listed HNRS courses or HNRS seminars; these courses are not necessarily restricted to Honors students and may be degree applicable, depending on the major.
HNRC: Honors "contract" courses allow students to receive Honors credit for different extracurricular and co-curricular experiences available at Cal Poly. Examples of approved co-curricular experiences that may receive HNRC credit include a summer internship, leadership experience gained under a campus student organization, community service undertaken with a local community partner, or study abroad experience. In addition, HNRC credit may be earned by incorporating an Honors experience into an existing non-Honors course required as major or support under a student's degree program. Enrollment in any HNRC course must be pre-approved by the Honors Program Director; retroactive credit is not granted.
Capstone Project: Honors students complete their capstone project (a.k.a. senior project) under the direction of their major degree program. A faculty member from the student’s major typically serves as the project advisor. The capstone experience is completed during a student’s senior year, typically during the final two quarters in residence. Some majors administer year-long capstone experiences.
SCHEDULING
The Honors Program offers a variety of Honors courses every quarter. The number of Honors courses offered each quarter depends on several factors, including student enrollment, instructor availability, and departmental/program budget constraints. Here you can view Honors Tentative Course Offerings for upcoming quarters. Honors students who pre-plan their course schedules several quarters in advance, allow for some flexibility in their general education course selections, and communicate regularly with Honors Program staff will complete their Honors graduation requirements in a timely fashion. Several different paths to graduation “with Honors” are possible; the curriculum incorporates some flexibility. Students are strongly encouraged to contact the Honors Program office with questions regarding Honors courses, curriculum, and scheduling.
