NMSU has a number of university-wide programs that recognize academic achievement. These include the Honors Certificate Program, the University Honors Program, the Crimson Scholars Program, the Centennial Scholars Program, dean's report of academic achievement, and gradua tion with honors. In addition, many colleges and departments have their own programs and awards that recognize academic achievement in their students.
The University Honors Program provides motivated undergraduate students with opportunities to broaden and enrich their academic programs. In small classes taught by master teachers, honors students engage in lively discussion and collaborative investigation of interdisciplinary topics. By taking honors courses, students may also work toward completing general education requirements and disciplinary requirements in the major.
There are two program options available to students: University Honors and the Honors Certificate. Each option has separate eligibility requirements, benefits, and forms of recognition for the student. Almost all honors courses fulfill university general education requirements. To have these courses count toward one of these programs, a student must earn at least a B. Questions about the Honors Program can be directed to the Honors Director, MSC 3HON, New Mexico State University, P. O. Box 30001, Las Cruces, NM 88003-8001.
Admission to the University Honors Program is available to new entering freshmen with a minimum ACT standard composite score of 26. For new freshmen, continued participation in the University Honors Program is contingent on maintaining a GPA of 3.3; sophomores,juniors, and seniors must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.5. Any student not meeting minimum eligibility requirements may petition the honors director for admission to the program. Letters of recommendation, interviews, and other evaluations of a student's record can be used to determine eligibility.
Any student who attains an overall GPA of 3.5 - 3.749 and who completes 15 credits of honors course work and the honors thesis is eligible to graduate with University Honors. Students who attain an average of 3.75 or better and who complete 15 credits of honors course work and the honors thesis are eligible to graduate with Distinction in University Honors. Transcripts will certify graduation with University Honors or Distinction in University Honors. Students who complete the required 15 hours of honors course work and the honors thesis with a minimum GPA of 3.5 will receive recognition in the commencement program, a Certificate of Distinction, and a medallion upon graduation.
| University Honors Requirements | |
|---|---|
| Freshman-Sophomore Years | 9 cr. |
| Three courses from the Honors Core (lower division) | |
| Junior-Senior Years | |
| Two 300-or 400-level Honors Certificate Program courses | 6 cr. |
| Honors Thesis | 3 cr. |
| Total Credits Required | 18 cr. |
Sophomores, juniors, and seniors with a cumulative grade-point average of 3.2 are eligible for the Honors Certificate Program. A student who completes at least two 300-or 400-level honors seminars will be given a Certificate of Distinction at graduation and special recognition in the commencement program. See the honors director for details on available seminars, Honors Program, Conroy Honors Center.
To be eligible for the Crimson Scholars Program, all applicants must be degree seeking. New entering freshmen must have a minimum ACT standard composite score of 26 or a minimum SAT score of 1170. Eligibility for currently enrolled students is a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 for 12 or more credits* at NMSU. Freshmen entering on an ACT score must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.3 to continue in the program until they complete 28 credits*; sophomores,juniors, and seniors must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 and be currently enrolled in a total of 7 or more credits* per semester at NMSU or any of its branches to retain their Crimson Scholars status. Transfer students must have a 3.5 cumulative GPA for 12 or more credits* from their previous institution(s) or complete 12 or more credits* at NMSU for eligibility. Students who have exercised the adjusted credit option must have completed at least 35 computable hours from the last semester they exercised the adjusted credit option with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or above. Students designated as Crimson Scholars whose cumulative GPA's drop below the required 3.5 will be dropped from the program. If in the following semester, the student's cumulative GPA again meets the minimum requirement, the student will automatically be reinstated. If dropped from the program for two consecutive semesters, the student may petition for reentry into the program once a cumulative GPA of 3.5 is regained.
In recognition of the student's academic achievement, a statement designating Crimson Scholar is placed on the student's transcript and grade mailer. To be designated in the commencement program as a Crimson Scholar graduate, a student must complete a minimum of four semesters (semesters need not be consecutive) in the program and must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5. Students who complete two semesters as Crimson Scholars and are eligible for a third semester receive a lapel pin. Crimson Scholars are entitled to early registration and library privileges. Additional information is available from the Crimson/Centennial Scholars Office, located in the Conroy Honors Center.
*Does not include I or audit course designations.
NOTE: Crimson Scholars interested in work-study positions must submit a yearly Free Application for Federal Student Aid and complete a financial aid file with the NMSU Office of Financial Aid.
Applicants to the Centennial Scholars Program must meet specific eligibility criteria. Applicants must
Students who have exercised the adjusted credit option must have completed at least 24 computable hours from the last semester they exercised the adjusted credit option with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or above.
In recognition of the student's academic achievement, a statement designating Centennial Scholar is placed on the student's transcript and grade mailer after the completion of nine credits. Students who receive three Centennial Scholar designations will receive a lapel pin. Recognition in the commencement program will occur once the student has received six designations as a Centennial Scholar. Centennial Scholars are entitled to early registration and library privileges. Additional information is available from the Crimson/Centennial Scholars Office, located in the Conroy Honors Center.
*Does not include I or audit course designations.
NOTE: Crimson and Centennial Scholars status are not interchangeable. Requirements for a status change are available from the Crimson/Centennial Scholars Office.
Following the close of the semester, each college dean publishes a list of students who have achieved honor standing in grades for the previous semester. To be eligible, a student must have been enrolled in 12 or more semester credits with a computable grade in each. The top 15 percent of eligible students by college for that semester will be named to the Dean's Honor List.
To be eligible for four-year degrees with honors, a student must have earned at least 60 semester credits in computable grades while in residence at New Mexico State. (Courses taken under the Honors Certificate Program or the University Honors Program and graded S will be counted as a part of the minimum of 60 credits.) The number of students at graduation, by college, receiving degrees with honors in any one year shall not exceed 15 percent; the number receiving high honors shall not exceed 1.5 percent, and the number receiving highest honors shall not exceed one person from each college except in a tie. Of the twelve students receiving highest honors (from the fall and spring commencements), the one with the highest grade-point average and the greatest number of credits earned at NMSU with computable grades will be awarded the Class of 1919 Scholarship Plaque.