At-a-glance
Web-page: http://www.csuohio.edu/honors/
The Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Honors College at Cleveland State University houses the University Honors Program, the University Scholars Program, and the Mandel Continuing Scholars Program.
University Honors Program
The Cleveland State University Honors Program offers a challenging program designed to meet the needs of intellectually curious, high-achieving, and high-potential students. Students enjoy the benefits of being in a large, diverse, comprehensive university located in a dynamic urban center, while at the same time receiving the personalized attention, small class sizes, and opportunities for undergraduate research and creative opportunities typical of smaller schools. Students graduating with Honors from CSU typically move on to graduate study and professional careers. Admitted students who stay in good academic standing receive scholarship support.
Who May Apply
First-year students
Admission to Honors is highly competitive and involves a holistic review of each applicant. Students are expected to complete a college preparatory curriculum in high school. High schools vary in the advanced courses they offer. Honors applicants are expected to complete the most rigorous curriculum available at their high school. Applicants who participate in the College Credit Plus Program are expected to have completed the standard high-school college preparatory curriculum in addition to their college work.
A very small number of international students are admitted to the program each year.
To apply to Mandel Honors College, first apply to Cleveland State University (link will open August 1st: https://engagecsu.com/apply) and check the box to indicate your interest in applying to Honors.
You will be sent a second application link that will ask for more information, including an essay and email addresses for two teachers who will submit recommendation letters on your behalf.
Current College Sophomores
Students may apply to the Honors Program for admission beginning in their junior year when they are two years away from graduation and meet the following application criteria:
- 3.5 GPA or higher in college courses
- Admission to Cleveland State University
- Junior-level standing by fall of entry into program (the student should be on track to graduate in two years after entering the Honors Program)
- Submission of a written essay
- Submission of two letters of recommendation
College transcripts will reflect a rigorous course of study both in the student’s preferred major and in his or her choices for general education and elective courses. Students should have made good progress toward completion of general-education course requirements and lower-division prerequisites for courses in their major.
A link to this application form will be available by December 1st on the Honors College webpage: https://honors.csuohio.edu/prospective-students/transfer-current-sophomore-admissions
Students can apply through a Microsoft Form link available on the Honors College website. Application includes an essay and two letters of recommendation from CSU professors.
Application Deadlines
Applicants entering as first-year students are required to apply by January 15. Current college sophomores must apply by February 28.
Curriculum
Universal Honors Experience: Students entering the Honors Program as lower-division students are required to complete a total of EIGHT Universal Honors Experience courses. Those entering as upper-division students must complete FOUR such courses. A range of Universal Honors Experience courses is offered each semester. These are designed to bring together students in the program and engage them in a variety of academic and recreational activities as a group.
Lower-Division Program: All Honors students who begin as entering first-year students will be required to take at least FOUR general education Honors courses (minimum of 12 credit hours). Students are strongly advised to complete these in their first two years at CSU. Honors general education courses are restricted to Honors and University Scholars students, are taught in small sections by outstanding members of the faculty and are designed to give students a more challenging experience than a standard, introductory-level general education course. Some are augmented versions of conventional general education offerings; others are specially designed courses not offered outside the Honors Program at CSU. Students also complete major-specific requirements. Honors students have the opportunity to do additional honors work under faculty supervision in established courses; enroll in graduate courses; participate in a faculty member’s research project or laboratory; complete an independent research project or a service learning project; and/or engage in an internship, co-op experience, or job. In some departments, students are encouraged to attend professional meetings.
Upper-Division Program: The Honors experience for upper-division Honors students is tailored to the requirements of each student’s chosen major(s) and specific goals. Junior and senior Honors students’ courses are selected through consultation with faculty members in their major(s). Working with their faculty advisor in the major, students develop an Honors Academic Plan Contract, which must be approved by their Honors Advisor and the Dean of the Honors College. Upper-division Honors students have the opportunity to do additional honors work under faculty supervision in established courses; enroll in graduate courses; participate in a faculty member’s research project or laboratory; complete an independent research project or a service-learning project; and/or engage in an internship, co-op experience, or job. In some departments, students are encouraged to attend professional meetings.
Consult our website for the most current information: www.csuohio.edu/honors/.
Contact Information:
Dr. Rachel Carnell, Dean
Cleveland State University Honors Program, BH 106
2121 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44115-9897
Telephone: 216-687-5559
University Scholars Program
Currently, we are not admitting new students into the program although students in the Honors College who fulfill the Scholars requirements and maintain the necessary GPA will graduate with the Scholars distinction. Students who are currently in the Scholars program are encouraged to finish their requirements.
Upper Division Program
The upper-division portion of the Scholars Program is completed after the student has completed 60 credit hours of university coursework. The upper-division requirements vary by major; students can contact the Scholars advisor or their faculty advisor for details on the specific upper division requirements. Students are expected to maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.25.
Contact Information:
Dr. Rachel Carnell, Dean
Cleveland State University Honors Program, BH 106
2121 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44115-9897
Telephone: 216-687-5559
Mandel Continuing Scholars Program
The Mandel Continuing Scholars Program is a partnership pipeline program that is only available to eligible students in the Mandel Scholars Academy at Cuyahoga Community College.
More information is available at http://www.csuohio.edu/honors/prospective-students/prospective-students
Contact Information:
Dr. Rachel Carnell, Dean
Cleveland State University Honors Program, BH 106
2121 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44115-9897
Telephone: 216-687-5559
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