Faculty Resources

The Honors College greatly encourages faculty engagement with students through events, undergraduate research opportunities, one-on-one Honors Contracts, and one-on-one Honors Thesis. Read more about each below.

Honors Contracts

 An Honors contract is an agreement between a student and a professor to do extra work in a regular (non-Honors) course with the purpose of receiving Honors credit. It should exceed the work done in a non-Honors class and should be intellectually challenging and stimulating (and, if possible, creative and unique). Simultaneously, a contract project should not be an overwhelming amount of work akin to taking an additional two or three hours of coursework (think quality, not quantity). For more on Honors Contracts, please view the Faculty Contract FAQs.

Honors Thesis

Another way faculty can interact with students is through the Honors Thesis Track. The Honors Thesis is an opportunity offered to Honors students to achieve graduation distinction with Highest Honors. Whist pursuing Thesis, students are required to work under the direction of a faculty member of his/her choice. For more on Honors Thesis, please view the Thesis FAQs.

Events

Each fall, the Honors College hosts ProfSPEAK! a series featuring professors and their research. These events open to all SHSU undergraduates, graduates, faculty, and staff interested. Each presentation allows attendees to learn about what their professors are working on and encourages them to become involved in undergraduate research. To view the current semesters ProfSPEAK! events, visit HONORS EVENTS. For more information about participating in a ProfSPEAK! event, please contact HONORS@SHSU.EDU.

Additionally, the Honors Student Advisory Council (HSAC) hosts Pizza with a Prof. a series of events open to only Honors College students. During the event, students participate in informal conversation and Q&A sessions with a professor invited by HSAC. The Honors College office provides pizza and refreshments for attendees. To view current Pizza with a Prof events, visit our social media. For more information about participating in a Pizza with a Prof event, please contact HONORS@SHSU.EDU. 

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Every year, the Honors College Ambassadors host the UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM. For the URS, all SHSU undergraduates are encouraged to complete research and present it at the annual conference. Each student must find a faculty advisor to help guide their research and review their presentation. This symposium also provides the opportunity for SHSU faculty to be respondents for student presentations. Register to become a FACULTY RESPONDENT for the 18th Annual URS taking place on April 12, 2025. For questions about the URS, please contact URS@SHSU.EDU. 

Honors Seminar Proposal Form

Honors Seminars are special opportunities for interdisciplinary study within the frame of exciting and unique topics. Typically, these seminar topics change every semester and are planned years in advance.

The Elliott T. Bowers Honors College

1921 Ave J, Academic Building IV Suite 202, Huntsville, Texas 77340

Phone: (936).294.1477 | Email: honors@shsu.edu