Dutile Honors Program at SBU
The Gordon & Judy Dutile Honors program offers you an enriching academic and social environment where intellectuals, independent learners, and motivated thinkers can thrive. Become part of a community of academically driven peers and take part in an experience that will challenge you to grow personally and professionally.
Become an Honors Scholar
Participate in discussion-based Honors courses designed around autonomous learning and that extend beyond the standard curriculum.
Apply your classroom studies to understanding the world around you through cultural events and learning outside of the classroom. Recent trips include the Truman Presidential Library, Springfield Symphony Orchestra, Touring Broadway production of Hamilton, and Askinosie Chocolate Factory.
Serve others in your community through servant leadership courses and projects.
Finally, when you graduate, it will be with the recognition as a Dutile Honors Scholar.
"The Honors Program at SBU has immersed me in a number of cultural experiences and
has granted me with a more diverse way of thinking. Faculty is a great source of help
in obtaining goals whether they be academically or personally. It is the backbone
of my experience at SBU."
Paige Dillon
Honors Program Student
"The Honors Program at SBU has immersed me in a number of cultural experiences and
has granted me with a more diverse way of thinking. Faculty is a great source of help
in obtaining goals whether they be academically or personally. It is the backbone
of my experience at SBU."
Paige Dillon
Honors Program Student
The Honors College Experience
Explore unique curriculum on topics like Conspiracy Theories, Music as Storytelling, Food and Culture, and Technology and Culture. In certain classes, students actually pick the topic for the semester, making it both relevant and engaging for those in the class.
Plan ahead for your Honors Capstone, an independent study project that each Honors student completes under the supervision of a faculty member in their discipline.
The majority of the Honors courses fulfill core curriculum requirements, with only 6 additional credit hours on top of your other degree requirements. These include two one-hour Honors colloquia or symposia, a service project or mission trip, and the Honors Capstone project.
Join a legacy of self-motivated learners who advance their knowledge beyond their classroom topics by applying that knowledge to real world issues and asking the hard questions.
How to Apply to the SBU Honors Program
Qualifying high school seniors and transfers will be invited to attend Scholars Day to compete for additional scholarships. Scholars Day will serve as a student’s interview for the Honors Program if they desire to be considered for the program.
The Scholars Day competition is comprised of an application, interview, and interpersonal assessment. Students desiring to be considered for the Honors Program will indicate this on their application.
Students are guaranteed an additional scholarship for participating in Scholars Day and will be notified two weeks after the event of their scholarship amount and if they have been accepted into the Honors Program.
Students can also join the Honors program after they arrive at SBU. Current students must have a 3.25 GPA and must complete an interview with the Honors Program Director to be considered for the program.
Frequently Asked Questions
First-time freshmen and transfers:
- 3.5+ high school GPA
- Applicants must first complete an application for admission to SBU. Eligible students will then receive a Scholars Day application and will attend Scholars Day. Selection includes consideration of student’s leadership, scholarship and service, as well as their Scholars Day interview.
Current SBU students
- 2.5+ GPA
- Applicants must interview with the Honors Program Director for consideration.
The majority of the Honors courses fulfill core curriculum requirements, with only 6 additional credit hours on top of your other degree requirements. These include two one-hour Honors colloquia or symposia, a service project or mission trip, and the Honors Capstone project.
Honors courses are not designed to be more difficult; however, they are designed with an Honors Scholar in mind. The format of the class and the teaching style of the professor stimulates discussion and challenges students to apply higher order thinking skills.
The Honors curriculum is 18 credit hours. Students will complete 10 hours of the Honors Core and 8 hours of Honors electives. Of these 18 required hours, 12 hours cover SBU core curriculum requirements.
Honors Core:
- HON 1111 – Honors University Seminar*
- HON 1121 – Honors Critical Thinking*
- HON 3882 – Honors Servant Leadership (2)*
- At least two hours selected from Honors Colloquium (HON 3771) and/or Honors Reading Symposium (HON 2661)
- HON 4772 – Honors Capstone
- MIS 2902/2912 or HON 3992 - Mission trip or Honors Service Project
Honors Electives:
- HON 1003 – The Arts through the Eyes of Faith*
- HON 2773 – The Great Thinkers*
- HON 1213 – Honors Old Testament Theology*
- HON 322(3-4) – Honors Contract Course
- HON 2661 – Honors Reading Symposium (beyond core requirements)
- HON 3771 – Honors Colloquium (beyond core requirements)
*Course counts toward SBU core curriculum requirements