What Global Learning and Research Opportunities Does The Honors College at App State Provide?

Updated

The Honors College at Appalachian State University builds global learning and research into the Honors experience rather than treating them as extras. According to the college, most Honors students complete a credit-bearing study abroad experience—often through an Honors seminar abroad—and all students can pursue original research or creative work, with opportunities to present at regional Honors conferences. These options are open to students across majors, and the college frames them as part of a shared community of exploration rather than a separate track.

Global Learning Opportunities

Study Abroad Through Honors Seminars

The most common route is a credit-bearing study abroad experience, frequently delivered as an Honors seminar abroad. Because the course carries credit, it counts toward your academic progress while you engage with a new culture and ideas. The college notes that most Honors students take part in some form of study abroad.

Global Perspectives Without Leaving Campus

If travel isn't feasible, global learning can still happen on campus. Students can explore international perspectives through Honors seminars taught at App State, or by weaving international themes into the Honors Thesis. This gives you a way to build a global dimension into your Honors work even without an overseas trip.

Why This Fits the Honors Model

Honors seminars are small, discussion-based, and interdisciplinary, enrolling 12–18 students and often fulfilling general education requirements. Faculty design and teach them around topics that matter to them, which is why seminars abroad and globally themed seminars fit naturally into the curriculum.

Research and Creative Work

Original Inquiry

Honors students investigate questions that matter to them through original research and creative work—exploring ideas, solving problems, and creating something new. This is described as a core part of the Honors experience rather than an optional add-on.

Sharing Your Work at Regional Conferences

Each year, Honors students travel together to regional Honors conferences to present their work, learn from students at other institutions, and take part in interdisciplinary conversations. Traveling as a group means you present alongside peers and mentors rather than on your own.

Support Along the Way

Every Honors student is paired with an Honors Academic Mentor who helps connect interests to opportunities, including research, internships, global learning, and graduate school. After you declare a major, you keep your Honors mentor and add a major advisor to your mentoring team—so research and global plans get guidance from both sides.

How the Pieces Connect

Opportunity What it involves Who it suits
Honors seminar abroad Credit-bearing study abroad, often seminar-based Students who want structured international experience with academic credit
On-campus global seminars Honors seminars with international perspectives Students who want global learning without travel
International themes in the Honors Thesis Global focus built into thesis work Students whose research question has an international dimension
Original research and creative work Independent inquiry on questions you care about Students who want to create or investigate something new
Regional Honors conferences Group travel to present work and exchange ideas Students ready to share findings and learn from peers elsewhere

Practical Considerations

  • Plan early with your mentor. Study abroad and thesis work take lead time; your Honors Academic Mentor is the person to raise these interests with, and your major advisor joins the conversation after you declare.
  • Check credit fit. Seminars often fulfill general education requirements, so an Honors seminar abroad can serve both global learning and degree progress—confirm specifics with the college.
  • Consider the community angle. First-year Honors students live together in Cone Hall, and continuing students may choose Summit Hall; the student-led Appalachian Honors Association (AHA!) hosts events through the year, which can help you find peers interested in the same global or research opportunities.

For current seminar offerings and details on study abroad and conference participation, the college directs students to browse recent seminar offerings and connect with the Honors College directly.