Current Students

USF Campus Consolidation

The Florida Excellence in Higher Education Act of 2018 required the USF to consolidate accreditations under one umbrella. As part of the University’s consolidation plan, the policies, requirements, and curriculum of the Judy Genshaft Honors College are now universal across all campuses, as of July 1, 2020.

Students enrolled in the Honors programs at the St. Petersburg campus and the Sarasota-Manatee campus prior to July 1, 2020 may enjoy all of the benefits of belonging to the Judy Genshaft Honors College, while still adhering to their original academic requirements, described below.

Requirements for Honors Program Completion at USF St. Petersburg campus, for students enrolled prior to July 1, 2020:

Students in the Honors Program at USF St. Petersburg campus are enrolled in either the two- or four-year program.

2-Year Program:

The two-year track is designed for students who transfer to the university, for students who wish to enter the Honors Program after they have completed two years of study, and for four-year students who come to the university with a significant number of AP, IB, Dual enrollment, and/or CLEP credits.

As a student in the two-year track, you are required to take four Honors courses: two semesters of Major Works/Major Issues, and two semesters of Honors Thesis. These courses fulfill the University’s exit requirements.

To remain eligible for all the benefits of Honors, including scholarships, you must qualify for the University Honors Program, register for an Honors core course and maintain a 3.3 USF GPA each semester. Remember, you must have a 3.3 USF GPA and a 3.3 cumulative GPA to graduate with the University Honors Program designation. All courses, including repeated courses, are calculated in these figures.

Courses in the 2-Year Program:

  • Junior Year: Two Honors Seminars (fall and spring).
  • Senior Year: Honors Thesis I (fall) and Honors Thesis II (spring).

4-Year Program:

The four-year track is designed for first time in college students from high school. If you entered the university with college credit through AP, IB, CLEP and/or dual enrollment, you may opt to complete the two-year track to avoid duplication of credit. Make an appointment with the Honors Program Director to discuss your options.

To graduate from the Honors Program four-year track, you must complete all eight courses in Honors, complete the foreign language, mathematics, and freshman English requirements, and earn a 3.3 USF and 3.3 overall GPA. The Honors distinction will be reflected on your diploma (on which a special gold Honors seal will be affixed). It will also be indicated on your transcripts, and you will be recognized in the graduation program and be awarded an Honors medallion.

To remain eligible for all the benefits of Honors, including scholarships, you must qualify for the University Honors Program, register for an Honors core course, and maintain a 3.3 USF GPA each semester. Remember, you must have a 3.3 USF and a 3.3 cumulative GPA to graduate with the University Honors Program designation.

Courses in the 4-Year Program:

  • Freshman and Sophomore Years — Students will take one Honors class each semester, choosing among Honors general education seminars and Honors electives.
  • Junior Year — Two Honors Seminars (fall and spring).
  • Senior Year — Honors Thesis I (fall) and Honors Thesis II (spring)


The final year of both the 2-year and 4-year programs is devoted to the Honors thesis. The thesis is the capstone to the Honors experience. Working closely with a committee of faculty, Honors students devote two semesters to planning, researching and writing the thesis. Projects can range from research in business, education, science and humanities to novels, short stories, journalism, photography, screenplays and graphic and web design.

 

Requirements for Honors Program Completion at USF Sarasota-Manatee campus, for students enrolled prior to July 1, 2020:

The Two-year Honors Track is limited to the 3-course upper-level sequence that culminates in an undergraduate thesis. The honors seminar (IDH 4000) and the directed-readings and research course (IDH 4950) develop the ability to pursue independent research.  Through the mentored experience of writing an undergraduate thesis and discussing it in an academic presentation, honors students have the opportunity to present original arguments with scholarly authority and integrity.

  • IDH 4000, IDH 4950, and IDH 4970 must be taken consecutively, spring, summer (online), and fall.
  • Students must earn a B (not B-) in each IDH course to progress through the sequence.
  • To progress in the Honors Program, students must meet the performance expectations and deadlines specified in the syllabus.