Honors Program
The Honors Program at Saint Mary’s College brings together students who want to challenge themselves and transform the lives of others.
Apply to join
The application to join the Honors Program opens twice a year, in January and June. If you're interested, use the link below to apply by Thursday, Jan. 15!
Interested?
Our interest form is open year-round, so submit now to learn more and receive reminders about applying.
Why join the Honors Program?
Honors students study together, earn honors course credits, develop leadership skills, complete service projects, and contribute to scholarly research under the direction of expert faculty. Benefits include mentorship, social events, special trainings, and numerous scholarship opportunities.
Honors Membership
While much of the Honors Program is designed to prioritize a choose-your-own-adventure approach to allow students to pursue their own interests, we have 3 key areas of the program that we like to emphasize:
- Through our ever-growing cohort of Honors Gaels, we've promoted and facilitated countless events hosted by our campus partners—and often by our own students—in the last few years, both in the Honors Lounge in Aquinas Hall and around the college. Through these various activities, students find ways to engage their peers through shared interests and passions, whether related to particular classes, to professional pursuits (LinkedIn workshops, guest speakers, career advice), or to personal interests and hobbies (books, music, fashion, art).
- We've also had a number of drives and charity initiatives that students take part in and lead that we're proud to sponsor and promote in helping our members give back to the local community.
- Students from across disciplines are using these events to help them build their social network outside the classroom and to make meaningful connections that last well after graduation.
- One of the key components of the Honors Program is the Honors Contract. Each student completes 2 contracts during their 2-4 years in the program, each contract connected to a specific course or semester project. Working one on one with an SMC instructor, the student picks a topic to focus on to develop a research or creative project, or to learn a new professional skill beyond the course curriculum.
- Every spring, our annual Student Research Conference & Showcase features numerous Honors Contracts, allowing students not only to share their work with the community, but also to hone their skills as a presenter, artist, and/or scholar.
- These projects serve to elevate the student's academic passions and achievements, as well as to give them a leg up in their next job application.
- In addition to promoting campus opportunities, we also provide resources and support for students who seek to develop their own events and activities, often to share their own work and interests or to engage their peers in collaborative projects outside the classroom.
- There are a number of internships, conferences, and scholarships that we regularly share with our members to apply, many of which Honors students have taken advantage of in recent years and gone on to do amazing work.
- Honors students also participate in our peer-mentoring program, both as mentor and mentee, and we're in the process of rolling out our professional mentorship program for students to connect with professionals in fields related to their own interests to start planning their own career path.
Honors Requirements
Academic Requirements
- Maintain a 3.5 GPA
Program Requirements
Scholarship, Grant, & Research Opportunities
Looking to explore the professional opportunities in your career field? We’ve assembled a number of different grants, fellowships, awards, and research projects, both here in California and around the country, for you to browse and see what fits your interests.
Living Learning Community
The special Honors Living-Learning Community in Aquinas is a phenomenal way to get to know other Honors students. If you have met certain qualifications, and/or have received a Presidential or Trustees Scholarship, we encourage you to join us in Aquinas.
Aquinas is a suite style dorm close to the library and classrooms, with laundry, lounge, and special Honors tutors and programs. Honors students can choose non-Honors students as roommates, and you can remain in Aquinas even if you withdraw from the Honors Program.
Present at Conferences
Around the Country & Here at Saint Mary's
Honors Students must present research at least one time and are welcome to present any one of their Honors Contracts in any semester.
Every spring, the SMC Student Research Conference & Showcase is a great opportunity to present research.
Other options include national and regional conferences or another avenue of the student's choosing. Read our newsletters to find scholarships to national and regional conferences!
Learn moreContact us
Honors Program
honors@stmarys-ca.edu
Korth Bell Tower, Arcade 4 Office
Dr. Steve Miller, Program Director
scmiller@stmarys-ca.edu