The Pierre Laclede Honors College is a small college with a liberal arts atmosphere inside a large public research university.

The Honors College is a certificate program that can be paired with any major without adding extra classes or extending time to graduate. Classes in the Honors College are seminar-style, meaning that they are based in reading, writing, discussion, and critical thinking. This unique class format fosters an intellectual climate centered around democracy, civility and academic excellence. Members of the Honors College are engaged with their peers in a close-knit community of students from all kinds of majors and backgrounds, creating an invaluable interdisciplinary educational experience.

 

A Liberal Arts Education

Honors education provides students the opportunity to explore interdisciplinary topics outside of their major in a student-driven, intellectual climate. Classes are seminar-style and emphasize critical thinking, writing, communication, and other skills that set Honors students apart from others in their fields.

Honors is for Everyone

The Honors College program works with all majors offered at UMSL. The Honors College offers programs for freshmen, transfer students, and students who are anywhere in-between. Plus, since Honors courses fulfill general education requirements for all majors, the Honors program does not take additional time to complete.

A Close-Knit Community

With a 14:1 student to faculty ratio, Honors students work closely with their peers and professors, creating friendships that last outside of the classroom. Furthermore, Honors students receive personalized academic advising along with a peer mentor through a first-year experience program.

Student Life

In addition to great academic opportunities, the Honors College offers a thriving social environment that includes participation in several unique social events such as a powdered paint war, an underground dance party, and a haunted house run by Honors students on Halloween!

 

 

Scholarships

All Honors students are eligible for exclusive merit-based and competitive scholarships through the Pierre Laclede Honors College. These scholarships are in addition to and stackable with any other scholarships that you receive from UMSL or other outside sources. Plus, there are no additional costs to be in the Honors College!

Preparation for the Future

The Honors curriculum culminates with a capstone course which allows students to meet one-on-one with a faculty member to work on resumes, CVs, cover letters, graduate school and job applications, mock interviews, and whatever else students may need for their future.

Independent Study

In addition to classes, students complete exciting independent studies such as undergraduate research, internships, practicums, and other types of hands-on projects to gain real-world, practical experience in their fields. 

Admission Criteria

Students are considered for admission into the Honors College on a holistic basis. This includes ACT/SAT scores, GPA, class rank, and an interview. Regardless of academic background, all interested students are encouraged to Apply to the Honors College!

 


Ready to join the Honors College?

The Honors College has over 500 undergraduate students from nearly every major that UMSL has to offer. Incoming freshmen, sophomores, and first-semester juniors are eligible to apply.



PLHC Mission

At the Pierre Laclede Honors College we transform lives through engaged, individualized learning in and outside of the classroom. Our graduates are economically productive, ethically committed, thoughtfully engaged, active citizens who flourish within their culture and world.

Our vision is a community that empowers students to develop unique paths that allow them to pursue individual goals. Small classes (14 students on average) allow students to learn by active questioning and conversation. Students develop strong communication and writing skills while exploring connections across areas of knowledge as they think critically within and beyond their majors. By exploring a wealth of beyond-the-classroom opportunities, Honors students develop the crucial foundation for future professional success.

We support our students with individual advising to help them discover the best paths to their goals. Renewable scholarship funding also ensures that this opportunity is available to all no matter their financial situation.

If you are interested in applying, please check out our Steps to Apply. If you are accepted into the Honors College, please follow our Checklist for what to do next.

Students outside the PLHC enterance


Come Visit Us!

The Honors College is located in Provincial House on UMSL’s South Campus. Feel free to stop by or schedule a personalized visit. Or, attend an Honors Day, which is an informational session where students can learn more about Honors by talking with current students, faculty, and our admissions representative.

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