University Scholars Major
The University Scholars major is designed for intellectually gifted, highly motivated students with a wide range of interests and a genuine love of learning. The major seeks to broaden these students’ backgrounds in the liberal arts while preparing them for a career through concentrated study in several areas. In order to achieve their full academic potential, University Scholars enjoy exclusive exemption from virtually all core curriculum requirements. Additionally, since “University Scholars” is a declared major, these students are not subject to the specialized course requirements of a traditional major though they may declare a minor or secondary major. As a result, Scholars are free to create an individualized course of study with the advice of a program director who mentors them throughout their entire four years.
Admission to the Major
To ensure that students gain the full benefit from the major, University Scholars will not accept students who have fewer than three years or 90 hours remaining to complete their undergraduate degree at Baylor. All Scholars must therefore complete at least 90 hours as students within the major.
The following are the criteria for admission into University Scholars:
- Responses to the three essay questions on the Honors College application
- Class rank and GPA
- SAT/ACT/CLT scores are optional and may be considered, if available
Maintaining University Scholars Status
To remain in and graduate from the major, Scholars must maintain a 3.5 minimum grade point average. If released from University Scholars, students must then fulfill the general requirements of the university in addition to the requirements for a major.
When to Apply for Admission to the Major
Applicants are admitted and notified on a rolling basis throughout the year. Students who wish to know their status before the May 1 college notification deadline must apply with all related application materials no later than April 1. Interested students are encouraged to apply as early as possible for advising and housing purposes.
Admitted University Scholars are eligible to apply for housing in the Honors Residential College.
The University Scholars Major and Other Special Programs
University Scholars maintains a close relationship with both the Honors Program and the Baylor Interdisciplinary Core. All University Scholars are in the Honors Program and should, in discussion with their University Scholar and Honors Program advisors, complete the requirements for the Honors Program graduation.
For University Scholars in the Baylor Interdisciplinary Core, BIC courses will substitute for the following required UNSC courses: GTX 2301 Intellectual Traditions of the Ancient World : Literature and Thought, GTX 2302 Medieval Intellectual Traditions: Literature and Thought in Context, UNSC 3301 University Scholars Capstone HNR, REL 1310 The Christian Scriptures, and REL 1350 The Christian Heritage. The BIC coursework will also cover the additional 9-10 hours of general coursework required for UNSC students.
Requirements for a Major in University Scholars (BA)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Total Hours Requirement | (124) | |
| Minimum GPA - 3.5 Overall | ||
| Minimum Hours in Residence 1 | (90) | |
| Minimum Advanced Hours (for UG: 3000- or 4000-level courses) | (36) | |
| University Scholars Core | ||
| REL 1310 | The Christian Scriptures | 3 |
| REL 1350 | The Christian Heritage | 3 |
| PSC 1387 | The U.S. Constitution, Its Interpretation, and the American Political Experience | 3 |
| or BIC 2344 | World Cultures IV: The United States in the World | |
| Chapel – complete two semesters | 0 | |
| GTX 2301 | Intellectual Traditions of the Ancient World : Literature and Thought | 3 |
| GTX 2302 | Medieval Intellectual Traditions: Literature and Thought in Context | 3 |
| HON 3200 | Colloquium | 2 |
| One course selected from any of the following lists: | 3-4 | |
| An additional 9-10 hrs. of general coursework 2 | 9-10 | |
| UNSC 3301 | University Scholars Capstone HNR | 3 |
| UNSC 3001 | Exit Interview HNR | 0 |
| Thesis Preparation Courses | ||
| HON 3100 | Advanced Readings & Research | 1 |
| HON 3101 | Advanced Readings & Research | 1 |
| HON 4V87 | Honors Thesis | 4 |
| HON 4088 | Honors Exit Review | 0 |
| Areas of Interest | ||
| Complete additional semester hours from areas of interest | 85 | |
| Total Hours | 124 | |
- 1
Completion of at least 90 credit hours in residence. 60 credit hours in residence is the university minimum, but the program requires additional hours in residence.
- 2
Students must complete 9-10 additional hours outside of their major to ensure a comprehensive breadth of knowledge is completed for their core curriculum. These hours should be from the A&S Core Curriculum Distribution Lists and will depend on the number of hours taken to fulfill the Formal Reasoning or Science requirement.