Academic Enrichment Programs

Honors Program

Mission Statement

The Rogers State University Honors Program supports the larger vision and mission of Rogers State University. The goal of the program is to cultivate excellence-excellence in academics, excellence in character, and excellence in service. The program challenges talented students to develop intellectual curiosity, intellectual rigor, independent reasoning, creative thinking, superior communication skills, strong leadership abilities, a system for ethical decision making, and a desire for life-long learning. Students with strong academic records and motivation to excel personally and academically join with select faculty to form a University community that supports outstanding scholarship, personal growth, and service.

The Rogers State University Honors Program educates in a collaborative, experiential, learning-based environment of faculty and students. Graduates of the program act as agents of change in their academic, professional, and personal lives, cultivate the community approach to life and learning, hold lasting commitments to academic and social responsibility, integrate creative and critical thinking in diverse approaches to problem solving, embrace the principles and practices of the life-long learner, value pluralism and informed civic discourse, and explore technology and information literacy as critical resources for life in the twenty-first century.

Honors courses at RSU are specifically designed to challenge students, as well as provide a supportive learning environment for this community of scholars. The honors courses are designed to integrate curriculum, develop and integrate learning communities, and assist in the integration and oversight of service-learning opportunities.

Students desiring acceptance into the RSU Honors Program must meet the following requirements:

1. 26 or better on the ACT or equivalent score on the SAT
2. 3.5 high school grade point average
3. Application and admission to Rogers State University
4. Application to Rogers State University Honors Program, including:
   1. Application packet with high school and college transcripts and ACT/SAT scores
   2. Three reference letters from persons who are aware of academic potential and work ethic, of which at least two must be academic references
   3. Completed admissions essay
5. The Honors Program application is due by February 1.

Selected finalists will be invited to campus for an interview.

Program Requirements

1. Every student is required to take one Honors Seminar each year. Additionally, Honors students are required to take Honors sections of specified general education courses unless academic credit for these courses was completed prior to enrolling in the Honors Program. Every student must take at least 30 hours of Honors General Education courses. Honors students are required to take HONS 1213 - HON:Literature & Rhetoric I  in place of ENGL 1113 - Composition I  and HONS 1313 - HON:Literature & Rhetoric II  in place of ENGL 1213 - Composition II  in their chosen degree plan of study.
2. The Honors Program scholarship package fully covers tuition, fees, books, designated on-campus housing, and meal plan. Scholarships and awards from other sources may affect the total package. Students who select other housing or meal plan options will be fiscally responsible for any difference in cost from pre-determined program options.
3. In order to remain in the Honors Program, students must be enrolled full-time, taking 12 hours or more and maintain a 3.25 overall grade point average for each semester. If a student at the end of any regular semester has a cumulative GPA of less than 3.25, that student will be placed on academic probation. The student will remain on academic probation until his/her GPA has risen above 3.25. If while on academic probation, the student has a semester GPA that is below 3.25, that will be considered grounds for termination from the Honors Program.
4. In addition to those who fail to meet the minimum retention requirements, students may be withdrawn or dismissed from the Honors Program for the reasons stated in the Student Code, failure to successfully complete the required number of hours in honors classes, or failure to successfully complete the cohort honors colloquia.
5. Honors students are expected to participate in intellectual, cultural, and social extracurricular activities and Honors Program meetings as directed by the Honors Council. Lack of participation will be considered justification for probation or dismissal from the Honors Program.
6. Students are required to engage in at least 20 hours of service per year with government agencies, social service agencies, or non-commercial entities. This “service learning” component allows students to enrich their educational experiences via interaction with organizations that serve local, regional, national, or international communities. Service learning projects will be “real world” work that directly relates to the students’ areas of academic or professional interests. All projects will be approved in advance by the Director of the Honors Program.
7. In addition to successfully completing graduation requirements for the selected baccalaureate degree, in order to graduate and qualify for recognition in the Honors Program, honors students must attain:

Total Hours in Honors: 42
Overall Grade Point Average: 3.25
Grade Point Average in Honors Courses: 3.25

For further information about the Honors Program, contact Dr. James Ford at 918-343-7749 or [email protected].

President’s Leadership Class

The President’s Leadership Class (PLC) is a unique four-year program of personal development designed to identify a limited number of outstanding students in order to foster their intellectual growth, refine their leadership skills, and enhance their relationship with Rogers State University and the communities it serves. The PLC consists of selected students with a wide range of beliefs, ideals, and talents who are encouraged to work and learn together to further foster and develop leadership traits. They are united in their commitment to the pursuit of excellence and to the cultivation of their talents for service.

For further information about the President’s Leadership Class, contact Dr. James Ford at 918-343-7749 or [email protected].

The Washington Center Internship Program

Rogers State University, in affiliation with The Washington Center, makes possible participation in the preeminent internship program in the nation’s capital. We provide together a unique combination of benefits: a structured, well-supported program for which interns receive academic credit; an extensive internship tailored to the interests of the intern, whatever his or her major; a rich program of academic coursework; lectures by national and international leaders; small group meetings with members of Congress; site visits; embassy visits; workshops; and many other enriching activities. The experience is for one semester with a government, non- profit, or public/private facility. The student must fulfill all requirements negotiated by the internship site and approved by the faculty advisor.

For further information about the Washington Center Internship Program, contact Dr. James Ford at 918-343-7749 or [email protected].

Brad Henry International Scholars Program

The Brad Henry International Scholars Program, established by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, provides funding for students at Oklahoma regional universities to participate in semester-long study or research programs affiliated with Swansea University in Wales. Academic credit for these programs will be awarded by RSU. Selection for studying abroad is based on academic qualifications, outstanding writing and communication skills, exemplary character, demonstrated leadership qualities, maturity, and judgment. Recipients of the award must be Oklahoma residents, be enrolled full-time, be in good academic standing, and have completed at least 30 hours of college credits.

For further information about the Brad Henry International Scholar Semester of Study Abroad Program, contact Dr. James Ford at 918-343-7749 or [email protected].