Honors & Scholars

Jessica Baer, Honors and Scholars Coordinator
(e): baer.131@osu.edu   (t): 614-292-8804

The Architecture Scholars Program and the University Honors Program offer exciting opportunities for incoming students. All freshman applicants to Ohio State who intend to major in architecture, landscape architecture, or city and regional planning are highly encouraged to apply for one of these programs. The Honors & Scholars (H&S) application allows students to apply for one or both programs in order of preference (though a student would only be admitted to one program). Applicants who only wish to be considered for the Scholars Program should check "no" to Honors on the application.

Scholars Program

The Architecture Scholars Program provides a community environment and engages students with activities outside the classroom. First-year Architecture Scholars students live together in Drackett Tower on North Campus, a residence hall focused around the visual and performing arts. In addition to the shared residential community, site visits, seminars and travel opportunities engage students and encourage exploration of the built and natural environments. While the program is open to students of any major, most students enter with an intention to pursue a major or minor in architecture, landscape architecture, or city and regional planning. Due to the supportive nature of the program, Architecture Scholars are extremely successful in being admitted to the architecture or landscape architecture major after their first year and tend to have GPAs well aboove the first-year average.

The program focuses on growing students' understanding of the historical, cultural and social significance of the world around them through the lens of design and planning. The program offers local trips and visits as well as day and weekend travel. Recent daytrips have included visits to Fallingwater and Kentuck Knob, while recent weekend trips have featured destinations such as Chicago, Boston, Toronto, and Buffalo. Additionally the program includes social activities, skill-development workshops, service initiatives, and leadership opportunities.

NOTE: The Scholars Programs at OSU is only available to new, incoming freshmen.

Honors Program

The University Honors Program focuses on academic and research opportunities for OSU students. The Program is available by application both to incoming freshman and to current Ohio State students who have earned at least a 3.4 GPA from 15 or more credit hours. Honors students are required to enroll in six Honors or upper-level courses within two years of gaining Honors status and maintain a 3.4 GPA thoughout their undergraduate studies.

Knowlton School of  Architecture Honors students have the additional opportunity to participate in one or both of the following graduation programs:

Graduation with Research Distinction

Architecture and Landscape Architecture Honors students may pursue Graduation with Research Distinction through a Studio track that requires them to take, in their senior year, a research methods Honors Seminar (ARCH 4780H/LARCH 4780H), an Honors Studio (ARCH 4999H/LARCH 4999H), and honors evaluation by faculty review.

CRP Honors students may pursue Graduation with Research Distinction through a Research track that requires them to take, in their senior year, a research methods Honors Seminar (CRP 4780H), an Undergraduate Thesis course (CRP 4999H), and complete an Honors Thesis or Project. Honors Thesis Students will be advised by an assigned CRP Faculty Mentor.

Graduation with Honors in Architecture, Landscape Architecture, or City and Regional Planning (GHKSA)

KSA Honors students may participate in the GHKSA and pursue graduation with honors within their major field of study. In this program, students earn points for a broad range of experiences beyond their academic coursework, such as study abroad, internship experiences, campus and community engagement. The Program is designed:

• To support and challenge you with access to more advanced levels of study;
• To enable your creativity;
• To encourage in you a sustaining interest in advanced education and research;
• To enhance your professional development, and;
• To provide opportunities for you to gain recognition at the time of graduation for advanced and distinguishing work as an undergraduate.