Program Requirements

First-year honors students are required to participate in the New Student Honors Seminar, a no-cost, no-credit course, during their first year at Missouri S&T.  This seminar provides students an opportunity to meet distinguished teaching professors, introduce them to research possibilities at Missouri S&T,  and see presentations by invited speakers.  In addition, students can participate in social activities such as a formal gala banquet with faculty members and other Honors Academy scholars.

The Office of Undergraduate Research will enroll the student in the no-cost, no-credit Honors Seminar.  (Transfer students may join New Student Honors Seminar during the Fall or Spring semester.)

For 2024-2025 the Honors Seminar will be held on the first Tuesday of the month at 6 p.m.  Below are the dates for Fall 2024 and the tentative schedule for Spring 2025. 

Attendance Requirement

Students are expected to attend 80% of all seminars to maintain their honors scholarship. This equates to being able to miss one of the six seminars during the academic year. 

Seminar Dates

Fall 2024

  • Tuesday, Sept. 3
  • Tuesday, Oct. 1
  • Tuesday, Nov. 5 

Spring 2025

  • Tuesday, Feb. 4
  • Tuesday, Mar. 4
  • Tuesday, Apr. 1

Curiosity, exposure to diverse ideas, and being well rounded is a fundamental aspect of an honors scholar experience.  Students will be required to complete course credit outside their major within two pathways:

Scholars will only have to complete one pathway. 

Pathway 1

  • Complete 8 credit hours with an honors project:
    • Honors Project 
      The culminating project is the capstone experience of the Honors Academy and, as such, incorporates and expresses the Academy’s commitment to individualized and enriched instruction, independent study, close faculty-student relationships, and the rigorous development of intellectual skills, including the ability to think critically and to communicate with clarity and style. The project brings together honors scholars' preparation and education in a particular discipline or combination of disciplines. Projects are usually in the student’s major field of study but are not limited to the major. However, some scholars may wish to develop interdisciplinary projects or a project that utilizes their co-op experience. Discussions with your project mentor will help to focus the project and gain required approvals.

Scholars will complete at the project and present their findings to the campus community. Scholars can register for course credit but is not required. 

Honors Project Description Form must be approved by the faculty member supervising the work, the Honors Academy director, and be received by the Office of Undergraduate Education by the last day to add courses posted on the Academic Dates and Deadlines Calendar to be considered for approval. For more information on the project, please reference the Honors Project Guidelines.


Pathway 2

  • Enrich your studies with a minor, double major, certificate, or accelerated 4+1 program. 

Scholars will expand their understanding of the world by actively engaging in an immersion experience that aligns to their interest and professional goals. Scholars will be expected to spend about 50 hours within the experience.

Potential Immersion Experiences

  • Service Learning or Community Service
  • Study Abroad or Study Away Program 
  • Undergraduate Research 
  • Co-op or Internship 
  • Campus employment.

Note: Experiences must be registered and documented through an appropriate university department. 

To help scholars prepare for being active citizens and leaders in their respective professions, they must actively participate being a leader or mentor on campus. Scholars must complete at least 15 hours within leadership roles.

Potential Leadership Experiences

  • Leadership position within a Design Team
  • Hold an executive officer position of president within a registered student organization.
  • Hold an executive officer position within the Greek Community (e.g. chapter president, serve on one of the governing council, or national organization).
  • Serve within a formal mentor position on campus (Pro Leader, Student Success Coach, Resident Assistant, Kummer Vanguard Scholars Mentor, etc.)

Note: Leadership experience must be registered and documented through an appropriate university department. 

Honors Academy Scholars must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 to continue participating in the program and maintain their scholarship. 

Scholars who have completed the following are eligible to graduate as an Honors Academy Fellow:

  • Completed one of the Academic Curiosity Pathways.
  • Completed 50 hours of an immersion experience.
  • Completed 15 hours of leadership experience.
  • Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0.