dolores margaret richard spikes honors college

DOLORES MARGARET RICHARD SPIKES HONORS COLLEGE

SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY AND A&M COLLEGE

BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA 70813

PURPOSE

The Dolores Margaret Richard (D. M. R.) Spikes Honors College

provides an enhanced educational experience for students who have

a history of strong academic achievement and motivation, and who

have demonstrated exceptional creativity or talent. Students are

challenged and nurtured through the use of innovative pedagogy,

flexible and competitive curricula, and mentoring relationships with

distinguished faculty and scholars. The College also provides cultural

and intellectual opportunities that are designed to motivate students

to perform at increasingly higher levels of excellence. Acquiring and

exhibiting a sound judgment, a good character, including self-

discipline, and deploying sustained efforts ensure the morphing of

Scholars of this College into better leaders.

PHILOSOPHY

The instrumental and functional roles of education are secondary

goals of the D. M. R. Spikes Honors College. The development of

knowledgeable and productive individuals, as a result of exposure to

strong liberal arts experiences that emphasize the relationship

between values and beliefs and all forms of meaningful activity, is a

fundamental belief. In addition, quality leadership and scholarship

can best be met by cultivating the critical, inquisitive and creative

spirit.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Participation in the D. M. R. Spikes Honors College is voluntary.

However, students must apply for admission to the College.

The application package includes a transcript, a copy of your ACT or

SAT score report, an original essay on a topic chosen by the applicant,

and two letters of recommendation from high school instructors,

principals, or counselors.

ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

Incoming Freshmen Students

Students are admitted and may be awarded funding based on their

grade point average (GPA) and ACT scores.

A. Minimum ACT Composite 23 – 23.9 or equivalent SAT score

(without writing)

• Minimum High School GPA of 3.3/4.0—funding at the level

of $1,000 per fall and spring semesters.

B. Minimum ACT Composite 24 and above or equivalent SAT

score (without writing)

• Minimum High School GPA of 3.3/4.0 - Funding at the level

of $2,500 per fall and spring semesters.

C. Minimum ACT Composite 25 and above or equivalent SAT

score (without writing)

• High School GPA of 3.0/4.0 or higher - Funding at the level

of $2,500 per fall and spring semesters.

D. Minimum ACT Composite 27 and above or equivalent SAT

score (without writing)

• High School GPA of 3.5/4.0 - Funding at the level of $3,000

per fall and spring semesters.

E. Minimum ACT Composite 30 and above or equivalent SAT

score (without writing)

• High School GPA of 3.5/4.0 - Funding at the level of $3,500

per fall and spring semesters.

Valedictorians and Salutatorians

Students not meeting the ACT Composite 23 requirement can still be

admitted to the Honors College once they provide proof of

graduating ranked first or second in their high school class.

• ACT Composite 20 - 22.9 or equivalent SAT score (without

writing) - $1,000 per fall and spring semesters.

ACCUPLACER Exam

Applicants who are unable to take ACT/SAT college placement

examinations because of restrictions or lack of exam availability (e.g.

due to pandemic conditions) must take the online ACCUPLACER Next

Generation Writing and ACCUPLACER Next Generation Math

assessments through Southern University’s University College (or in

their home state, if it is available). ACCUPLACER exams can be

scheduled by contacting success@subr.edu. Each assessment is

scored on a scale ranging from 200 to 300 points. Standard

scholarship eligibility begins with a minimum combined ACCUPLACER

(Writing + Math) score of 550. With a minimum combined

ACCUPLACER Next Generation score of 550, along with GPA, award

eligibility is as follows:

• HS GPA 3.3 - 3.50/4.0—funding at the level of $1,000 per

fall and spring semesters.

• HS GPA 3.5 – 3.75/4.0—funding at the level of $2,000 per

fall and spring semesters.

• HS GPA 3.75-4.0/4.0—funding at the level of $3,000 per fall

and spring semesters.

• High School valedictorians and salutatorians with a

minimum 3.3/4.0 GPA and a minimum ACCUPLACER Next

Generation combined score of 500 may be considered for

an award in the amount of $1000 per semester

Transfer Students

Transfer students must apply for membership and show proof of a

minimum cumulative GPA of 3.3/4.0 or demonstrated research

performance potentially leading to a thesis; documented

POST OFFICE BOX 9413 • (225) 771-4845 (OFFICE) • HONORSCOLLEGE@SUBR.EDU

REVISED 4-19-2021

participation in high school or college co- and extra-curricular

activities; and submit one letter of recommendation from faculty or

advisors of an academic institution.

CRITERIA FOR CONTINUING AFFILIATION

WITH THE HONORS COLLEGE

To retain the designation of Honors Scholars, students must maintain

a GPA at least equal to if not higher than 3.0/4.0, each applicable

semester. They must earn a minimum of 12 credit hours each fall and

spring semester, including 4* or more Honors credit hours. Scholars

are expected to conduct research, write a thesis, and defend it

successfully. Scholars have to be in good standing (conduct/behavior

wise and otherwise) with the University.

* (1) This requirement does not apply to a scholar with 32 Honors

credits or on track for an average higher than 4 Honors credits each

past semester. (2) The minimum number of Honors credits, 32, is

prorated for transfer students coming from community (or 2-year)

colleges.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Scholarships and funds are available through other academic units

and public and private sources. The D. M. R. Spikes Honors College

is committed to working closely with all students admitted to the

college to assist in the preparation of an adequate financial aid

package.

ACADEMIC PROGRAM

The Honors College core curriculum consists of Honors Colloquia and

designated Honors courses in the general curriculum and the

student’s major area of study. Honors Colloquia serve as the

orienting courses in the college and focus on innovative pedagogy

and interdisciplinary approaches to current issues. Honors Contract

courses and courses from the general curriculum and the student’s

major area of study are pursued in order to complete the

requirements for the Honors degree.

Curriculum

(Honors Designated Course Areas)

• Arts & Humanities • English Composition

• Honors Colloquia: • Foreign Languages

Freshman • Select Independent Study

Sophomore • Natural Sciences

Junior • Physical Sciences

Senior • Select Major Curricula

Honors Credit by Contract

(H-option)

Honors Credit by Contract (H-option) is designed to enable students

to pursue Honors work in all curricula. It provides the resources by

which students are able to which

which students are able to complete the requirements for the

Honors College degree. Furthermore, Honors Credit by Contract

permits students’ academic freedom in building their own honors

curriculum, a flexibility that often results in programs and

experiences not characteristic of the traditional program of study.

H-option contracts generally share one or

more of the following:

• Choice of course content and/or material of particular interest

to both student and instructor.

• Specification of data sources not routinely addressed in the

course.

• Explicit provision for additional consultation between student

and instructor.

• Evaluation methods which are specific and rigorous, although

not necessarily in the form of traditional term papers.

H-option work is likely to, but need not

necessarily, fall into one or more of the

following categories:

• Guided research involving data from primary sources,

laboratory investigations, or field explorations resulting in

individual reports, annotated bibliographies, etc.

• Participation in weekly seminar sessions to review and discuss

current honors work; in cases where the instructor chooses to

schedule such sessions for several students pursuing H-option

work.

• Class presentations designed, prepared and delivered to a

standard that will qualify as teaching.

• Additional reading discussed with the instructor in individual or

group tutorial sessions to be presented in class and/or

incorporated into regularly required written work.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE HONORS DEGREE

The designation Honors College Graduate will be indicated on the

transcript and diploma of students admitted to the Honors College

and who have completed the following Honors College requirements

by the end of the grade reporting period:

1. A 3.0/4.0 GPA in all course work pursued.

2. A 3.3/4.0 GPA in all Honors work pursued.

3. At least 32 credit hours to include:

• 6 hours of Honors Colloquia

• 2 hours of Honors Thesis

• 9 hours in a junior or senior level course in the

student’s major area.

4. The recommendation of the College dean that an Honors

Degree can be awarded.

Respective Latin Honors designations will also be indicated for

students who graduate with a cumulative grade point average of

3.4/4.0 and above.