Admission to Honors

Diverse group of five students seated in class listening to a presentation

Benefits of Joining the Honors College

The Honors College provides a challenging curriculum to meet the unique academic needs and interests of Honors students. We provide:

  • Exceptional faculty mentors and advisers
  • Social and cultural activities
  • Service-learning and study abroad opportunities
  • Professional development

There a many reasons to consider joining the Honors College at Towson University. Just over four percent of the undergraduate student population belongs to the Honors College and enjoys the following benefits:

Innovative Curriculum and Small Classes


Students are encouraged to complete Honors work that includes co-curricular activities such as leadership workshops, service-learning experiences, and civic engagement. Honors students participate in a flexible curriculum.

  • Classroom experiences: Discussion-based seminars give students an opportunity to work closely with the Honors College faculty in small classroom settings.
  • Experiential learning: Students work with select faculty within specific academic departments on honors projects, research, and internships.

Engaged Community and Residential Honors

An engaged community of scholars is a defining characteristic of the Honors experience. We emphasize leadership development, social and civic engagement activities, and programs that build meaningful relationships in and out of the classroom.

Honors College housing is located in the Frederick Douglass House, one of Towson University's residence halls in West Village. Living in Douglass House has several advantages:

  • A supportive student community
  • Classes held in the residence hall
  • An atmosphere conducive to study

All incoming freshmen who choose to live on campus are placed in Douglass House, and incoming transfer students may also have the option to live in the residence hall. This residential learning community is in partnership with the Department of Housing & Residence Life.

Specialized Advising

Honors College faculty work closely with students to design and to execute their honors curriculum. There are also designated Honors College advisers — FYE (First Year Experience) Advisers — in colleges and departments who help students make curriculum decisions that address their interests and needs. FYE advisers can also provide advice on:

  • Career preparation
  • Personal development
  • Leadership development
  • Undergraduate research opportunities

The Honors College also provides comprehensive advising and preparatory resources for students who wish to apply for prestigious nationally competitive fellowship and scholarship programs, such as the Rhodes, Goldwater, or Truman scholarships. Advising appointments may be scheduled by emailing or by calling 410-704-4677.

Priority Registration

Continuing students who are in good standing with the Honors College are extended the courtesy of priority registration, thus avoiding many scheduling conflicts. Honors priority registration occurs prior to the start of the ordinary registration period for continuing students. With this benefit, even Honors freshmen register for courses before TU seniors who are not in the Honors College.

Distinct spaces

The Honors College maintains two classrooms in Stephens Hall - ST300 and ST306 - used solely for Honors classes and also available for Honors programs and student groups. In addition, the Honors Computer Lab and Lounge in ST304 provides space for study and relaxation with eight computers and a print station, a conference table, couches, and a refrigerator and microwave for use by Honors students.

Honors housing in Douglass House also includes a number of distinct academic and co-curricular spaces. Several classes are held in the Douglass House Multipurpose Room each term, and Douglass House also houses The Book Exchange, a student-run lending library in the anteroom the Honors advising suite in DO135.