The Honors Program admits students at various stages of education, including incoming freshmen, transfer students, and on-campus students. Students are admitted based on outstanding high school or college academic achievements and aptitude as indicated by one or more of the following: GPA, SAT score, National Merit Semi-finalist selection, or a score of 4 or above on tests in the Advanced Placement Program of the College Entrance Examination Board.
Incoming Freshmen
Generally, membership is automatically offered to all National Merit finalists, Presidential and General academic university scholars, who have at least:
1. A SAT of 1100 or higher (or an ACT of 24 or higher)
2. A graduation ranking in the top ten percent of their high school class
3. Score of 4 above on tests in the Advanced Placement Program of the College Entrance Examination Board.
Current South Carolina State University Students
If you are already attending SCSU, you may apply to the Honors Program if you have:
1. A cumulative GPA of 3.5 or above.
2. Completed a minimum of 12 credit hours at South Carolina State University
* New members can apply through the last semester of their sophomore year. An admissions committee will conduct a selection process by reviewing and screening the following: credentials, three letters of recommendation from non-relatives attesting to the student’s potential for enriching the College, a personal essay, and an interview.
Transfer Students
The SCSU Honors Program welcomes eligible transfer students into its ranks. If you were a member of the Honors Program at another institution at the time of your transfer to State, you are automatically eligible to join the Honors Program at South Carolina State University. If the transfer student was previously a part of the Honors Program at another institution, they must provide official academic transcripts and an official letter from the Dean (on letterhead) of that Honors College and submit it to the Director of South Carolina State University’s Honors Program. If you were attending a community college and were a member of Phi Theta Kappa, you are eligible to join the Honors Program upon admission to State (please provide the appropriate documents).
Transfer students may be admitted to the SCSU Honors Program through the second semester of their sophomore year.
To maintain membership in good standing, a student must have a 3.25 cumulative grade point average, and should also carry a full-time load of at least 12 semester hours per semester. The Director will review eligibility at the end of each semester. Students who complete the general honors requirements maintain membership in the college by having at least a 3.25 cumulative grade point average at SCSU, whether, or not they pursue departmental distinction.
To Apply to SCSU Honors Program please call the Honors Program Office at 803-533-3710 or 803-533-3790.