This fall, 50 incoming freshmen will participate in the new Honors College at Texas A&M-Commerce, headed by Dr. Raymond Green in the Department of Psychology and Special Education.
Requirements for membership in the honors college include application completion, status as an entering freshman with a minimum ACT score of 27 or SAT score of 1200 and a ranking in the top ten percent of their high school graduation class
“These are not cut-off scores, but rough benchmarks,” Dr. Green said. “That is, a valedictorian with an SAT of 1170 would certainly be considered.”
An interview with an honors college advisor and a commitment to a four-year honors college program are also required to apply.
Students who are currently enrolled as a recognized honor student will be allowed to finish their program, but only incoming freshmen will be accepted in the new program, at this time, according to Green.
The Honors College is working closely with Dr. Bill Thompson and Mayo College. Although the Honors College may draw some students away from Mayo College, Dr. Green also hopes to direct quality students who do not qualify for the Honors College to Mayo College. “We hope to have a synergistic relationship with Mayo College,” Dr. Green said.
The new office for the department will be housed at the Prairie Crossing apartments, located at 1708 Monroe Street.
Previously, the honors office was located in the basement of the social sciences building. This new location was chosen because the Honors College students will reside on the fourth floor of Prairie Crossing.
“One goal of housing students together is creating an academic learning community,” Dr. Green said. “We believe that having our office in Prairie Crossing can help foster that.”
Honors College students will take approximately 25 percent of their coursework in Honors Sections.
“The majority of the credits will fit into the University studies core,” Dr. Green said. “In addition, students will take two one-credit seminar classes as upperclassmen and will culminate their experience by writing an honors thesis.”
Benefits from the new program include a debt-free education, priority housing, small class size, early registration during all semesters, special recognition at graduation, honors designation on your diploma and transcripts and completion of a thesis, which can be listed on the resume.
The 50 students chosen for the program will receive a scholarship covering tuition and fees, room and board and a textbook allowance.
For more information on the honors program, contact Dr. Raymond Green at HonorsCollege@tamu-commerce.edu.
Staff writers Justin Clounts amd Shauntiva Tuck contributed to this article.