Admissions
Incoming First-Year Students (High School Students)
Incoming first-year students who have been accepted to Marshall University now have TWO pathways to admission in the Honors College. Most students will join the college through “Admission by Invitation” on the basis of prescribed minimums in standardized test scores and high school GPA. Beginning in the 2022 academic year, we opened admission to students who do not have the standardized test score that would lead to an invitation to join the college. Students who have excelled in high school and have a demonstrated commitment to the mission of Honors education at Marshall University should explore “Admission by Holistic Review” as a pathway to join the college.
All admitted Honors students should also consider applying for one of our available scholarships in the college for incoming, first-year students if they are eligible according to criteria laid out in the donor agreements for the funds that provide these scholarships. Due to a policy of the Office of Student Financial Assistance, the Honors College Scholarship (which is a partial tuition-waiver) can only be awarded to incoming, first-year students at Marshall (i.e., students who have not yet begun their coursework at Marshall as fully admitted students pursuing an undergraduate degree). For incoming, first-year students beginning at Marshall in the Spring semester, they would be eligible to receive 1/2 of the scholarship for that academic year, but could begin receiving the full scholarship in their first full year–as long as they maintain good standing in the Honors College.
Membership in the Honors College requires that students be enrolled full-time in a Bachelor’s degree program at Marshall University.
Are you wondering if honors education is a good fit for you?Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis through 01 May each year for admission in the coming Fall semester. A decision is normally provided two weeks after submission of an application. Past accomplishment is considered, but we are looking to assess future potential for success in honors education at Marshall. Students who are admitted through the Holistic Review process will be at “Step Five” in the process describe here.
The application includes: Basic background information on the applicant (contact, demographics, high school information); Current 12th grade coursework (including any/all AP and Dual Credit courses); College and career plans; Important roles played in the communities of which the applicant is a part (e.g., those that demonstrate engagement, leadership, and a willingness to serve); Employment information (optional); Forms of public recognition (e.g., awards, scholarships, and honors) received; Information about particular circumstances that may affect the applicant (optional); Short essay prompts that request reflection on the mission of honors education, the applicant’s unique traits, and what the applicant wants out of their experience in the Honors College.
Submit an Application for Holistic ReviewCurrent 1st Semester, Continuing, Transfer, and Late-Admitted Students (College Students)
Current, transfer, and first-year, incoming students admitted to start at Marshall University in the Spring semester have two pathways for admission. The pathway available to them will depend on their particular situation. Only Admission by Holistic Review requires an application to the Honors College.
Fall Semester
Request Fall Admission by Invitation
Continuing students (current students who are continuing at Marshall from an earlier semester) and qualified transfer students (students who began their Baccalaureate degree elsewhere before coming to Marshall) with at least a 3.5 overall GPA in at least 12 completed credit hours as a full-time college student, who will have no more than 30 earned credit-hours applied to their transcript at the end of the Fall semester, may petition for admission by requesting to submit an application to the college. At the time of application, both current and transfer students may request a waiver of up to 6 hours of General Honors credits toward completion of the required Honors Curriculum.
Request an Holistic Admission ReviewSpring Semester
Transfer from Other Honors Programs or Colleges
Request an Holistic Admission ReviewStudents transferring from another college or university where they are a member in good standing of a recognized honors college or program (preferably one following NCHC guidelines) may petition for admission to the Honors College at Marshall University regardless of total earned credit hours. These students must demonstrate:
A cumulative college GPA of 3.5 or higher
Evidence of prior honors coursework (transcript required; syllabi may be requested)
A written statement of intent and academic goals (as part of their Holistic Review application)
Upon admission, up to 9 credits of General Honors may be applied for earned honors-designated coursework at another honors college or program, and additional credit articulation may be considered on a case-by-case basis by the Dean. Final curricular planning will ensure timely progress toward completion of the Honors Curriculum and fulfillment of graduation requirements.
Due to a policy of the Office of Student Financial Assistance, the Honors College Scholarship (which is a partial tuition-waiver) can only be awarded to incoming, first-year students at Marshall (i.e., students who have not yet begun their college coursework as fully admitted students pursuing an undergraduate degree). For incoming, first-year students beginning in the Spring semester, they would be eligible to receive 1/2 of the scholarship for that academic year, but could begin receiving the full scholarship in their first full-year–as long as they maintain good standing in the Honors College. Continuing current students (from earlier semesters) and transfer students would be offered all other benefits of membership in the college, including other merit-based scholarships (as well as other forms of assistance) for which they can apply.
Financial Awards and Assistance for Honors Students
The Honors College is known for challenging students to develop their full academic and personal potential. We are also committed to supporting Marshall students in their quest to identify, plan for, and win scholarships, fellowships, and other forms of assistance that will help them in their research and creative endeavors as students, to study abroad, pursue graduate school, or aid them in their professional development. There are a wide range of scholarships available to incoming and current (continuing) Honors students about which you can learn on our Scholarships page.
Branch Campus & Distance Learning Notice
At the present time, honors courses are almost exclusively offered in-person on the main campus of Marshall University located in Huntington. Online courses applicable to the required Honors Curriculum are generally not available and currently there are no online sections of the required HON 200 and HON 480 seminars. As a result, students are generally unable to complete the Honors Curriculum when considered “distance” education at Marshall or enrolled full-time at any of the Marshall branch campuses–including South Charleston and MOVC. This includes students in the aviation program based in Charleston.
This is a resource issue that the college is not yet able to address given current funding and other limitations. Please contact the College at honorscollege@marshall.edu with any questions.
