Honors Program

The Honors Program at Middle Georgia State University is designed to help academically advanced students develop their intellectual potential through even more challenging educational activities. Honors classes at MGA provide an opportunity for high-achieving MGA students to pursue their academic greatness.

Honors Courses

Honors courses fulfill core curriculum requirements and are designed to be more innovative, enjoyable, and rewarding since students of similar abilities are grouped together in small, discussion-based classes. While students in general introductory classes are expected to gain a certain body of knowledge and display that knowledge on tests and in essays, students in Honors courses are asked to apply what they have learned in ways that are creative and that relate to their own interests and goals. Such perks as field trips and guest lecturers provide added bonuses. In addition to their inherent value, all of these classes are recorded with Honors designation on student transcripts, a distinction that draws favorable attention from prospective employers and graduate schools.

Honors Course Designations

In general, students are expected to fulfill the requirements of the Honors Program by taking regularly scheduled Honors courses. However, students who cannot be served by these course offerings (for example, students on campuses that do not offer Honors classes) may earn Honors credit by completing special projects of sufficient creativity, depth, or scope to warrant an Honors designation. Courses for which these projects are satisfactorily completed are designated as Honors classes on the student's transcript. All Honors course designation projects must be approved in advance by the Honors Program Director.

Honors Student Association

Made up of students accepted into the Honors Program at Middle Georgia State University, the Honors Student Association sponsors various social and cultural activities during the year. It promotes a sense of unity and group identity among the Honors students. The organization regularly engages in activities that involve community service and extracurricular educational enrichment.

Admission Requirements

Who can enroll in the Honors Program?

New students who have a high school GPA of 3.5 or higher and/or an 1100 minimum combined SAT, with a verbal score of at least 580; an ACT composite score of 24 or higher also qualifies a student.

Currently enrolled students who have earned a GPA of 3.5 after completing 15 credit hours.

Students who do not meet the above requirements may submit a letter of appeal, along with two letters of recommendation from teachers or professors, to the director of the program.

Graduation Requirements

• An associate's degree student who completes four Honors Program courses in four different disciplines with a grade of B or better and has an overall GPA of at least 3.5 is designated an Honors Program Graduate.
• A bachelor's degree student who completes eight Honors Program courses in four different disciplines with a grade of B or better and has an overall GPA of at least 3.5 is designated an Honors Program Graduate.
• A bachelor's degree student who completes four upper-level Honors Program courses in his or her major with a grade of B or better and has an overall GPA of at least 3.5 is designated an Honors Discipline Graduate.
• All Honors Program Graduates are recognized at Honors Convocation and Graduation. The designation "Honors Program Graduate" or “Honors Discipline Graduate” will be placed on the permanent academic record.

Honors Pathway Certificate

The Honors Pathway Certificate at MGA offers a collegiate honors experience to outstanding high school students through specially designed dual enrollment classes. Students can take courses tailored to their interests and engage in smaller classes taught by MGA’s expert professors.

Honors Pathway students who complete at least 4 Honors classes in 2 or more subject areas with a grade of A or B in each and fulfill an outside enrichment requirement are awarded the Honors Pathway Certificate, a distinction noted on their transcript.

Any student with a 3.5 high school GPA is automatically admitted. Students who do not qualify may still apply by contacting the Honors Program Director: . The Honors Pathway is available on the Macon, Cochran, Warner Robins, and Dublin campuses and online.

Contact Information

Dr. Heather Ness-Maddox
Director of the Honors Program
Middle Georgia State University