Family FAQs

What are the Honors College curriculum requirements?

All students joining the Honors College as incoming freshmen are required to complete a total of 24 units, regardless of semester of entry. Students who joined after fall 2016 complete courses in four distribution areas: Honors Foundations (6 units, including Honors Towson Seminar and Honors English), Honors Courses (6 units), Honors Seminars (6 units), and Experiential and Advanced Learning (6 units). Students who joined the Honors College before fall 2016 were required to complete courses in three distribution areas: Honors English (3 units), Honors Coursework (15 units), and Honors Electives (6 units).

Students join the Honors College after their first semester may be exempt from some of these requirements depending on completed college credits at the time of entry as well as the institution from which they transferred.

In addition to completing courses, Honors College students are also required to maintain a GPA of 3.0 in their Honors courses, and overall maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 for freshmen, sophomores, and juniors, and a minimum cumulative GPA of at least 3.2 for seniors. Students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of at least 3.3 at the time of graduation in order to graduate from Honors.

Is there an Honors advisor? Who can answer questions regarding the Honors College?

All first-year students are assigned an Honors College First Year Experience (FYE) advisor with training to assist students fulfill major, Core Curriculum, and Honors College requirements.

Beginning in their second year, students are assigned an Honors College advisor in addition to their major advisor. All Honors students can set up advance appointments with their designated Honors advisor by contacting , and drop-in advising may also available in the 7800 York Road Building, Suite 134. Occasionally Honors advisors also hold office hours in Douglass House, room 135.

At what point will my student receive an advisor within their own major?

All students receive major advisors at the beginning of their sophomore year. Students who do not receive major advisors by that point should contact their major departments as soon as possible. The major advisor is separate from the Honors advisor.

What happens if my student has difficulty scheduling classes to meet requirements?

The Honors College offers many options for students to complete their requirements, with upwards of 50 courses offered each term as well as the ability to complete experiential learning opportunities. The student's Honors College advisor can also assist students to identify which options might work best for them.

Honors course offerings change each term and meet at various days and times throughout the week so that students should always be able to find a course option that fits their schedule even if it may not be their first choice of topic or time. The Honors College encourages students to take Honors courses outside their major or area of interest as part of our emphasis on perspectives from multiple disciplines, and rarely does the requirement to take these courses impede a student's time to degree. While a course may not relate directly to a student's major that does not mean it's an irrelevant learning experience - much like with TU's Core Curriculum, taking Honors courses outside a student's major is an integral part of the Honors experience!

Are there study groups for Honors students?

The student-run Honors College Leadership Council organizes a free peer tutoring network that matches individual Honors students together in many subjects and for specific classes. Students can simply email the tutors who have volunteered to share their expertise. The peer tutoring program typically starts in the second month of the fall and spring term. Students can also participate in study groups and find a tutor or academic coach through the TU Tutoring & Learning Center.

How can I stay abreast of Honors College events and opportunities?

Getting involved in the Honors Parent Council is a wonderful way to stay abreast of the exciting things happening in the Honors College. As a family member of an Honors College student, you are automatically a member of the Parent Council and can participate in all meetings and activities held by the group.

We also encourage all parents and family members to contact us at  to join our Honors parent contact list. You will be subscribed to receive the Honors College Weekly and special announcements from the Honors Parent Council.

How does living in Douglass House (the Honors Living Learning Community) differ from living elsewhere on campus?

In Douglass House, residential living is integrated with classroom activity. In addition to an Honors College classroom and Honors College office physically located on the main floor of Douglass House, students have the opportunity to live together, build networks and share ideas in an atmosphere conducive to academic achievement. Students living in Douglass House form close relationships with roommates and classmates that are similarly focused and have the same commitment to academic achievement and future goals. All incoming first-year students who choose to live on campus are assigned to Douglass House. Students who live in Douglass House consecutively beginning in the first available semester are allowed to remain in Douglass throughout four years of their Towson University career.

How are Honors College students who commute to campus involved in co-curricular activities?

A majority of Honors College students commute, and Honors commuters are as much a part of the community as students living on campus. Enhancing your educational experience begins with making the decision to be involved in the activities and events planned exclusively for Honors College students. All Honors College events and activities are announced each week in the Honors College Weekly, an electronic newsletter sent via email during the academic year. All members of the Honors College, regardless of residential or commuter status, are welcome to attend all events and use all resources in Douglass House and in the Honors College suite in the 7800 York Road Building.