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EnglishWhat Does The Honors College at App State Offer Students?
Updated
The Honors College at Appalachian State University offers five core benefits beyond regular coursework: small interdisciplinary seminars (12–18 students) that often fulfill general education requirements, a dedicated Honors Academic Mentor for every student, a living-learning community in Cone Hall (first-years) and Summit Hall (continuing students), credit-bearing global learning opportunities, and support for original research and creative work shared at regional Honors conferences. It suits students who want a cross-major community built around discussion, mentorship, and exploration—not just an extra set of classes.
Seminars: Small, Discussion-Based, Interdisciplinary
Honors seminars bring together students from across majors to explore big questions. Key details from the college:
- Class size: 12–18 students
- Who takes them: First-, second-, and third-year students
- Credit value: Seminars often fulfill general education requirements
- Who teaches: Faculty design and teach seminars around topics that matter to them
This structure means your general education credits can double as small-group discussion courses rather than large lecture sections. If you are comparing Honors against a standard track, the practical difference is format and cohort: the same requirement, taught in a room small enough for sustained discussion.
A Dedicated Academic Mentor
Every Honors student is paired with an Honors Academic Mentor who helps connect interests to concrete opportunities—research, leadership, internships, global learning, graduate school, and other experiences.
The mentoring structure changes over time: after you declare a major, you keep your Honors mentor and add a major advisor to your mentoring team. So the model is a two-part team rather than a replacement—Honors guidance for breadth and opportunity, departmental guidance for your field.
Living-Learning Community
- First-year Honors students live together in Cone Hall.
- Continuing students can choose to live in Summit Hall.
Sharing classes, activities, and everyday experiences is designed to help students form lasting friendships and a strong sense of community. The student-led Appalachian Honors Association (AHA!) hosts regular events throughout the year, which gives students who opt out of Honors housing or commute a way to stay connected.
Global Learning
Most Honors students participate in a credit-bearing study abroad experience, often through an Honors seminar abroad. Students who do not go abroad can still engage global perspectives through Honors seminars on campus or by incorporating international themes into the Honors Thesis.
Research, Creative Work, and Conferences
Through original research and creative work, Honors students explore ideas, solve problems, and create something new. Each year, Honors students travel together to regional Honors conferences to share their work, learn from students at other institutions, and engage in interdisciplinary conversations.
Matching the Offerings to Your Goals
| If your priority is… | The relevant offering is… | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Smaller classes within general education | Interdisciplinary seminars (12–18 students) | Whether a given seminar fulfills a requirement you still need |
| Guidance toward research, internships, or graduate school | Honors Academic Mentor | How mentoring pairs are assigned and how often you meet |
| A built-in social community | Cone Hall / Summit Hall; AHA! events | Housing eligibility and whether you plan to live on campus |
| Study abroad without delaying progress | Credit-bearing Honors seminar abroad | Program timing and credit fit with your major |
| Presenting original work | Regional Honors conferences | Travel expectations and how work is selected |
For students weighing the college, the clearest test is fit with how you like to learn: seminar discussion across majors, a mentoring relationship that starts in year one, and a residential community. Students who prefer large lectures or who cannot take on travel and housing commitments should confirm the specific requirements and alternatives before applying.