What is the Honors College?

The Pierre Laclede Honors College is a small college with a liberal arts atmosphere inside a large public university--so students get the best of both worlds.

The Honors College provides interesting and innovative seminar courses, full-service academic advising, a First Year Experience program, a writing program, and an internship program. The Honors College has a 14:1 student-to-faculty ratio which creates an interactive and personalized classroom experience. The Honors College offers programs for freshmen, transfer students, current UMSL students, and everyone in between. The Honors College also offers students renewable scholarship funding in addition to what has already been offered to them by UMSL and other outside sources.

In addition to an exceptional academic experience, the Honors College offers exciting opportunities outside of the classroom. These include a student-published book of creative works (Bellerive), an annual art show (Celebrating the Arts), a full social calendar and service events (PLHCSA), a satirical newspaper (Brain Stew), living and learning communities for residential students, and two mentoring programs (SMART and FYE).

The Honors College not only provides students with an excellent liberal arts education, it also prepares them for life beyond the classroom. Students in the Honors College participate in a senior capstone course where they work one-on-one with a faculty member to prepare resumes, cover letters, graduate school applications, personal statements, mock interviews, and anything else they may need for their next step.

In a nutshell, the Honors College is a big high achieving family that really cares about all of its members. Come and see for yourself by visiting us or attending an Honors Day!

Interested in Applying?

If you are interested in applying, please visit our Steps to Apply page. Already been accepted to the Honors College? Check out our checklist for what to do next.