The Honors College
Jeffrey J. Haugaard, Ph.D.
Director of The Honors College and Associate Vice Provost; Professor of Counseling Psychology
The Honors College is a community of developing scholars that includes some of the best teaching professors and some of the brightest and most serious students at UAlbany.
Mission
The mission of The Honors College is:
- To contribute to the University's ability to attract academically talented, serious students with interests matching the programs of the University at Albany and to retain these students to graduation;
- To develop a sense of community among the students in The Honors College;
- To facilitate connections between professors and students, so that the professors are available as mentors to help students develop as scholars;
- To offer a structured set of intense academic experiences designed to challenge honors students working in all disciplines;
- To prepare students to compete successfully for admission to graduate and professional schools or for challenging and rewarding jobs;
- To recognize and encourage the range of ways in which students can attain high levels of academic achievement. The main office of The Honors College is located in LC 31. (518) 442-9067.
Structure
The Honors College is housed in the Office of the Vice Provost and Dean for Undergraduate Education. It is administered by the Director who reports to the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education and the Honors College Governing Board. Members of the Governing Board include the deans of all Colleges and Schools at UAlbany, or their designees, teaching faculty equal to the number of deans on the Governing Board, and one sophomore, junior, and senior honors student. The teaching faculty are appointed by the Provost in consultation with the University Senate’s Governance Council. Students are elected by those in their graduating class.
Student Body
Approximately 150 students are admitted to The Honors College each year.
Approximately 125 students are admitted as incoming first-year students. All incoming first-year students may apply for admission to the Honors College.
Approximately 35 students are admitted at the end of their first semester or at the end of their first year. All first-year students at UAlbany can apply for admission at these times. Admissions decisions are made by the Director, in consultation with the admissions committee of the Governing Board.
Curriculum
Students admitted as incoming first-year students are required to take 18 credits in honors courses before their junior year. Up to four of the 18 credits may be earned through one-credit courses. Students admitted to the Honors College during their first year at UAlbany are required to take 12 credits in honors courses.
Honors courses are offered at the 100 and 200 levels. Most are designed to meet one or more General Education requirements and some meet major requirements. Enrollment in honors courses is open to students in The Honors College only. Honors courses are listed within each department's course listing (with a T prefix) and on The Honors College website: www.albany.edu/honorscollege.
Students in the Honors College are required to complete the honors program in their major during their second two years at UAlbany, if their major has an honors program. Students in a major that does not have an honors program consult with the Director regarding the program they will follow during their second two years. A senior thesis or creative project is required to graduate from The Honors College.
Expectations
Students in The Honors College must earn a 3.30 GPA during their first year and a 3.50 GPA each subsequent year to remain in The Honors College. Students entering The Honors College during their first year must earn a 3.50 GPA each year to remain in The Honors College. Students not achieving the required GPA may request a probationary semester, in consultation with the Director. All honors students in a major that has an honors program must apply and be admitted to the honors program in their major.
Students who would like to remain eligible for honors housing must attend at least seven honors events each semester during their first and second years at UAlbany.
