The Smittcamp Family Honors College
Scholarly Activity
Per the SFHC Contract, a graduation requirement for all SFHC Scholars is to complete a Scholarly Activity project.
There are a few different methods students can take to complete the Scholarly Activity, often depending on the student's major and interests. Most students are encouraged to join the Honors Program specific to their department or college; however, some are allowed to do other research or use internship opportunities, with the permission of the Director.
All scholars should follow the following guidelines when beginning their Scholarly Activity:
After selecting a faculty mentor to work with, arrange a meeting with them and jointly create a list of written expectations that your mentor has for you and your project. Take notes and ask your mentor if you’ve correctly understood their expectations. Be proactive!
Honors Programs at Fresno State by College
If your College or Department does not offer an honors program, consult with either the Director or SFHC staff on how to proceed.
- Apply SPRING Semester.
- Admission Requirements:
- Senior status in the semester of the first independent study.
- At least a 3.5 overall GPA.
- Apply FALL Semester.
- Admission Requirements:
- Upper-division standing/3 semesters remaining after admission.
- Minimum of 1 semester in residency (can be in progress).
- Minimum GPA of 3.50 in the last 60 units.
- Apply SPRING Semester.
- Admission Requirements:
- Cumulative G.P.A. of 3.6 or higher.
- Have completed at least 60 units towards a B.A. degree.
- Completed at least one semester at Fresno State.
- Apply SPRING Semester.
- Admission Requirements:
- Undergraduate major in a CHHS department: Communicative Sciences and Deaf Studies, Kinesiology, Nursing, Public Health, Recreation Administration, or Social Work Education.
- Cumulative GPA of 3.5.
- Completed at least one semester at Fresno State.
- Junior or senior standing (completion of 60 units as of fall semester).
- Apply FALL Semester of junior year (with four semesters remaining).
- Admission Requirements:
- Cumulative GPA of 2.5 in last 60 units.
- Grades of B or better in BIOL 1A, 1B and 1BL, CHEM 1A and 1AL, CHEM 1B and 1BL, Statistics (MATH 101 or PSYCH 42), and Calculus (MATH 70 or 75), or their equivalents.
- Currently enrolled at Fresno State (in your junior year).
- Apply SPRING Semester.
- Program to be completed in the last four or five semesters of a student’s undergraduate degree program.
- Admission Requirements:
- Fresno State Student or a transfer student that has been accepted for the following fall semester.
- Declared major in chemistry or biochemistry.
- GPA of 3.5 or better (3.25 may be considered in exceptional circumstances).
- Be able to complete all university degree and honors program requirements in 4 or 5 semesters taking less than 20 units a semester.
- Though not required, students should generally have completed one semester of organic chemistry lecture and laboratory and be enrolled in the second semester of organic chemistry lecture.
- Apply SPRING Semester.
- Admission Requirements:
- At least 18 units completed in Psychology.
- A Psychology GPA of at least 3.0.
- An overall GPA of at least 3.0 for the past two years.
- Apply SPRING Semester as an incoming freshman.
- Admission Requirements:
- Be a Mathematics major with a strong interest in pursuing the mathematics major and aspirations of becoming a future mathematics educator.
- College GPA of 3.3 or higher.
- Apply SPRING Semester.
- Admission Requirements:
- Cumulative and major GPA of 3.5 or higher.
- Completed at least 75 units before beginning the program and have at least one year of school left at Fresno State.
- Be currently enrolled in, have already completed, or will enroll in a research methods course in the Fall 2024 semester at Fresno State, preferably in your major, and earn at least a B grade in this course. (List of courses on website)
- Apply SPRING Semester of sophomore year.
- (*Timing is flexible, but students must have at least two full years left at Fresno State.)
- Admission Requirements:
- Criminology or Forensic Behavioral Sciences major.
- A minimum GPA of 3.5 (major and overall) is required prior to admission to the Honors Program.
- Preferential consideration will be given to students who display exceptional academic, extracurricular, and community service performance prior to their junior year.
- Students should not have already taken CRIM 100 and/or CRIM 170 (or PSYCH 144).
Honors Program Alternatives
Engineering Senior Project (completed through your college) + HON 180-2 (oral presentation on your project at the Honors Colloquium). HON 180-2 should be taken the same semester you intend to complete your project.
HON 180 Project:
- Discuss with the Director and obtain his approval.
- Find a faculty mentor.
- Complete a research project under your mentor’s guidance.
- Enroll in HON 180-3 (3 units) and write a research paper and/or complete a project.
- Enroll in HON 180-1 (1 unit) and give an oral presentation on your project during a colloquium session.
- You will enroll in HON 180-1 & HON 180-3 for the semester you expect to finish your project (as approved by your faculty mentor).
HON 180 Project can be completed by anyone who does not get into their department’s/college’s honors program.
- Discuss with the Director and obtain his approval.
- Find a faculty mentor.
- Complete a research project under your mentor’s guidance.
- Enroll in HON 180-3 (3 units) and write a research paper and/or complete a project.
- Enroll in HON 180-1 (1 unit) and give an oral presentation on your project during a colloquium session.
- You will enroll in HON 180-1 & HON 180-3 for the semester you expect to finish your project (as approved by your faculty mentor).