About the Honors Program
The Attebury Honors Program was founded in 2001 with the goal to provide an enriched learning community and honors opportunities for some of the best and brightest students attending West Texas A&M University. Students from all majors are involved in and successfully complete the Attebury Honors Program requirements each year. Up to 170 students participate each year.
Honors Only Opportunities:
- enrollment in small size, discussion based honors seminar and core courses
- faculty led courses with embedded international travel components
- priority registration
- mentoring by faculty and staff throughout the undergraduate experience
- peer mentoring during the freshman 1st semester by upper level Honors students
- support for engagement in research conferences, internships, and Study Abroad
- live in an honors only residence, Conner Hall
What you may be involved in:
- Colloquia events like Chat N Chew and Pizza with a Prof
- Wider opportunities including Study Abroad and internship experiences
- Cultural events to include musicals, opera, and other artistic and creative programs
Honors Graduates:
Graduates meeting the Attebury Honors Program requirements will graduate with designation as an Attebury Honors Scholar and receive the following upon graduation:
- recognition during a special Honors Graduate Reception
- special designation on commencement program
- receive medallion during commencement ceremony
- transcript will indicate graduation designation
Program Requirements
Honors Admission Requirements
Incoming First-year students:
- Cumulative GPA of 3.75 or higher (will also consider SAT/ACT scores as substitute for GPA)
Community College Transfers:
- Cumulative transfer GPA of 3.5 or higher
Current WTAMU Students:
- Cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher on 18 hours or more of WTAMU course work
Graduating with Honors Requirements
- 1 hour - Honors I Seminar, HNRS 2171, in the first semester (new honors students)
- 6 hours - Core courses in Honors format or foreign language completed at the university level
- 6 hours - Honors seminars, HNRS 2373/3373
- 3 hours - Honors capstone or thesis
- Present at one research conference
- Attend at least one Honors colloquia each fall and spring semester
- Maintain a cumulative 3.5 or higher GPA and a 3.0 or higher in all Honors required courses
- Complete a minimum of 4 continuous long semesters with the Attebury Honors Program
- Receive honors advising each fall and spring semester
Variance from these requirements may be granted by the honors director.
Capstone/Thesis
In order to graduate as an Attebury Honors Scholar, students must complete a capstone or thesis experience. While students register for a capstone or thesis class for only one semester, the experience generally encompasses two or more semesters. Students are required to present their capstone thesis project in a discipline appropriate format.
Faculty and staff work out the details of this requirement with students individually as the experience varies greatly between disciplines. Discussion about capstone or thesis experiences should begin during the first semester of one's junior year. A capstone/thesis contract must be completed and returned prior to enrollment in the capstone/thesis course.
Grades
Grades are reviewed each semester. The following minimum academic standards should be maintained:
- 3.5 cumulative GPA to graduate as an Attebury Honors Scholar including a 3.0 or better in honors required courses.
- 3.25/3.35 cumulative GPA to remain in good standing and be eligible for financial support with, but not limited to, study abroad, conferences and internships
- 3.0-3.25 cumulative GPA (freshman and sophomores) places student on probationary status with the program pending review the following semester
- 3.0-3.35 cumulative GPA (juniors and seniors) places student on probationary status with the program pending review the following semester
- Below 3.0 cumulative GPA places student subject to immediate review and termination from the program
Any student with a decline for 2 consecutive semesters in the term GPA resulting in a cumulative GPA below 3.25 will be subject to termination from the program.