Program Overview

---

Honors Baccalaureate Degree

The Honors College at Montana State prepares academically motivated students to think independently within a challenging and supportive community. The Honors College offers an experience of a highly selective liberal arts institution within the context of a broader university setting with its special offerings, which include programs such as Great Expeditions, the Freshman Research Symposium, Honors Texts and Critics courses, the Hike and Read program, Undergraduate Research and Creative Thesis project, and the Directed Interdisciplinary Studies program.

Program Details

The honors designation is awarded in conjunction with a degree. As such, honors students can study in programs from engineering to archaeology and every subject in between.

Great Expeditions

Enjoy enrichment through structured study abroad opportunities that parallel a portion of a historically and/or culturally significant expedition.

Freshman Research Symposiums

Gain an introduction to the breadth of research opportunities on Montana State's campus as early as your freshman year.

Honors Texts and Critics Courses

Dive into courses that emphasize critical reading and analysis of fundamental texts in a variety of disciplines.

Hike and Read

Start off your MSU experience with a weekend in the mountains with hikes, presentations, and book discussions.

Undergraduate Research/Creative Thesis

Cap off your MSU journey with an advanced thesis opportunity that acts as an excellent preparation for advanced education or your new career.

Directed Interdisciplinary Studies

Self-motivated learners have the opportunity to integrate three varying academic disciplines to design their own curriculum that prepares them for dynamic and evolving careers of their choosing.

Honors Residence Halls

Honors students may choose to live in Honors residence halls, which include Atkinson Quadrangle, or on the Honors floor in South Hedges. The "Quads" are gracious buildings surrounded by giant blue spruce trees, an expanse of lawn and flowers. The buildings are coed and have a first-floor living room, a full-size, equipped kitchen, dining room, and laundry. Honors dorms are typically quiet, and students often form study and discussion groups.

Sample Courses

An example of some Honors classes and seminars include:

• Mentoring Gifted Students
• Extreme Microbiology in Yellowstone
• Honors Evolution: Integrating Micro and Macroevolution
• Honors Ski and Read
• Wolves in Yellowstone
• Our Nuclear Age
• Shakespeare in Performance

Notable Achievements

Montana State Honors students have gone on to become Goldwater Scholars, Rhodes Scholars, Gates Cambridge Scholars, Marshall Scholars, Truman Scholars, Udall Scholars, Boren Scholars, Fullbright Scholars, Newman Civic Fellows, Schwartzman Scholars, and National Science Foundation recipients. MSU has produced 74 Goldwater Scholars.