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EnglishWhat Is The Honors College at Appalachian State University?
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The Honors College at Appalachian State University is a cross-disciplinary honors program within App State—not a separate institution—for curious, high-achieving students from any major. It combines small interdisciplinary seminars, a dedicated academic mentor, a living-learning community, global learning, and undergraduate research so that honors education extends beyond coursework into a shared community.
Who it serves and what defines it
The college describes itself as "more than a set of courses"—a community of students who learn, lead, and grow together. Its stated commitments are exploration, collaboration, and academic excellence. In practice, that means students:
- Collaborate in a community that challenges and supports them
- Build relationships with mentors and peers
- Connect learning across the classroom, residence hall, and broader community
- Explore ideas across disciplines and around the world
Because seminars draw students from across majors, the program suits students who want intellectual breadth alongside their major, not a replacement for it.
The core components
Interdisciplinary seminars
First-, second-, and third-year seminars enroll 12–18 students and are discussion-based. Faculty design and teach them around topics they care about, and the seminars often fulfill general education requirements. This is the main academic mechanism: small classes, big questions, mixed majors.
Dedicated academic mentors
Every Honors student is paired with an Honors Academic Mentor who helps connect interests to research, leadership, internships, global learning, graduate school, and other experiences. After declaring a major, students keep the Honors mentor and add a major advisor—so the mentoring team grows rather than switches.
Living-learning community
First-year Honors students live together in Cone Hall; continuing students may choose Summit Hall. The student-led Appalachian Honors Association (AHA!) hosts events throughout the year, reinforcing the community side of the program.
Global learning
Most Honors students complete a credit-bearing study abroad experience, often through an Honors seminar abroad. Alternatives include Honors seminars on campus with global perspectives or international themes woven into the Honors Thesis.
Research, creative work, and conferences
Students pursue original research and creative work, and each year Honors students travel together to regional Honors conferences to present, learn from peers at other institutions, and join interdisciplinary conversations.
Is it the right fit?
| If you want… | The Honors College offers… |
|---|---|
| Small, discussion-driven classes across disciplines | 12–18 student seminars, often counting toward general education |
| A built-in first-year community | Cone Hall living-learning community plus AHA! events |
| Structured mentoring beyond your major | An Honors Academic Mentor alongside your major advisor |
| International experience | Credit-bearing study abroad, often via Honors seminars abroad |
| A path to present original work | Undergraduate research and regional Honors conferences |
It is likely a good fit for students who are curious across fields and want community and mentorship structured into their degree. Students seeking a single-discipline research track or a separate degree-granting college should look elsewhere—this is an enhancement layered onto an App State education.
Next step
Use the site's seminar listings to see recent offerings and judge whether the topics match your interests, then check the "Connect and Learn More" section for how to engage with the college.