If you are curious about the world, love to learn, engage in everything, and take risks, then the Honors College at West Virginia University is the place for you.
Combining the attention of a small college environment with the resources of a world-class research institution, the Honors College provides opportunities to enhance their curriculum for students in every undergraduate major across the campus.
Learn more about our program for first and second-year students (the Honors Foundations program ) and our program for third and fourth-year students (the Honors EXCEL program) below.
Already know you want to apply to one of our programs? Great! See more on
applying to the Honors Foundations program here
and
applying to the Honors EXCEL program here.
- Honors Foundations Program
- Honors EXCEL Program
- Academic Requirements
- Academic Support
- Advising
- Beyond the Classroom
- Community
- Honors Housing
- Visit
- Contact Us
- Meet Our Ambassadors
Honors Foundations Program
For First and Second Year WVU Students
For first-time freshmen, this innovative two-year Honors program is designed to enrich students’ first years on campus, particularly in their general education courses and introductory courses in their major. Students apply to this program between mid-fall and early May of their senior year of high school. There are also ways for some first-year transfer students and WVU freshmen to apply to the program.
The Honors Foundations program provides ample support to encourage you to take intellectual risks, make discoveries, explore the world around you, participate in exciting cutting-edge research projects, engage in community-based learning, and find your passion.
The Honors College is an interdisciplinary college that offers customized learning pathways for students who seek to enhance their education with academically “different” types of experiences.
Our courses are active, hands-on learning laboratories where students can enhance their skills. Students should select Honors courses that will challenge them and inspire them to ask questions, seek impossible answers, and delve into the unknown.
Learn more about the Honors Foundations program on its academic page. Honors Foundations admission for Fall 2022 is now closed. Information on admission for Fall 2023 will be available later this summer. Learn more about the application process.
Honors EXCEL Program
For Third and Fourth Year WVU Students
For WVU juniors and seniors, the Honors College Experiential Learning (EXCEL) program supports WVU undergraduate students in experiential and community-engaged learning. Students develop skills in leadership, project management, communication, and collaborative scholarship. Students create scholarly products appropriate to their project while advancing the service mission of West Virginia University. Students typically apply to this program spring semester of their sophomore year at WVU, though some also apply fall of their junior year.
Learn more about the Honors EXCEL program on its academic page. Learn more about how to apply here. Admission for Fall 2022 admission closed Monday, April 22, 2022. More information about Fall 2023 admission will be available this spring.
Academic Requirements
Honors Foundations Program
Honors Foundations program students must complete a minimum of five Honors courses and 13 Honors credits. Students must also maintain a 3.0+ overall GPA and 3.5+ Honors GPA. For more information on requirements, maintaining good standing, and completing the program, visit the Honors Foundations Program Academic page.
Honors EXCEL Program
Honors EXCEL program students will complete their project, coursework, and other
requirements in 3-4 semesters. The bulk of the work will be completed through six
credits of experiential learning. For information on the requirements, eligibility
and project ideas, visit the
Honors EXCEL Program Academic page.
Academic Support
Honors College students can take advantage of testWELL Tutoring, a free tutoring service provided by trained upper-class Honors College students. Tutoring is available at both Honors Hall and Lincoln Hall. All testWELL Learning Center tutors are certified members of the National Tutoring Association.
First-time freshmen also receive guidance from
Honors peer mentors. Peer mentors are upper-class students at the Honors
College who help facilitate the HONR 102: Introduction to Honors course each
fall.
Advising
Honors College students are assigned an Honors advisor in their major. These advisors know both the Honors College program requirements and the requirements of the student’s major of study, and can advise the student on how to best take advantage of all the opportunities available to them.
While actively enrolled in the Honors Foundations program, Honors students also receive priority registration, registering before all non-Honors undergraduate students at WVU.
Beyond the Classroom
Honors College students are also encouraged to explore opportunities to enrich their education across campus and plan for what comes next after graduating from WVU.
Opportunities include undergraduate research, help to apply to nationally competitive
scholarships for graduate school and study abroad, and preparation planning
for healthcare career paths.
See our Student Resources & Opportunities page for more.
Community
Honors Housing
Visit
Students can visit the Honors College in person or virtually. Students wanting to visit WVU should reach out to the WVU Visitors Center to arrange your visit. Be sure to mention your interest in meeting with someone at the Honors College during your time here and the WVU Visitors Center will work with us to help you make the most of your visit.
If you are a prospective first-year student, please see Planning Your Visit to schedule your visit with us. Students can schedule a hall tour, an academic appointment to learn more about the program, or even shadow a current Honors student in their major!
The Honors College offices are located on WVU Downtown Campus on the first floor of Honors Hall at 250 Second Street.
Lincoln Hall, the Honors residence hall for WVU Evansdale Campus, is located at 1014 Rawley Ave.
Contact us at 304-293-2100 with any questions.
Contact Us
Need more information? Have a question? Want to connect with a current Honors student? Email us at honors@mail.wvu.edu or call our office at 304-293-2100.
Meet Our Ambassadors
Our Honors Ambassadors love to share their experiences with WVU and the Honors College. Learn more about them.