Knowlton School Honors Programs

An enriched academic experience that integrates curricular and co-curricular opportunities

Knowlton School Honors Programs

The University Honors Program provides academic and research opportunities for highly motivated students at Ohio State. Students who are accepted into the program pursue an enriched academic experience that integrates curricular and co-curricular opportunities. 

Honors students gain access to 

  • Honors sections of general education courses 

  • Honors sections of their major courses 

  • priority scheduling 

  • the opportunity to graduate with an Honors distinction 

Apply to the Honors Program 

The Honors program is available by application. Admission is selective. Incoming freshmen and current Ohio State students who have earned at least a 3.5 GPA from 15 or more credit hours are eligible to apply. 

  • Students applying as freshmen apply to the University Honors Program through their Ohio State application. 
  • Students applying to honors after admission may apply directly through Knowlton. 

Requirements for Honors Programs 

All Honors students, regardless of the term of their admission, must  

  • complete at least six Honors or upper-level (4000-level or higher) courses, preferably within two years of gaining Honors status 
  • maintain a 3.5 cumulative GPA. 

Knowlton Honors Options and Requirements 

In addition to the above requirements, Knowlton students are also required to meet the requirements specific to Knowlton degree programs. 

Knowlton Honors students may choose one or more options below to be eligible to graduate with honors. Students may participate in both options. 

Option 1: Graduation with Honors
Graduation with Honors in Architecture, Landscape Architecture, or City and Regional Planning Program 

In this program, students earn points for a broad range of experiences beyond their academic coursework, such as study abroad, internship experiences, and campus and community engagement. 

Honors students who would like to graduate with honors must: 

  • review the application 
  • complete the planned points section of Schedules A, B, and C 
  • schedule an appointment with the Honors advisor to review the application in person 

Once approved, your graduation plan may be revised as necessary. To complete your graduation plan, you will also need to meet with the Honors advisor during the first week of the semester in which you plan to graduate.

Graduation with Honors Application

Option 2: Research Distinction 
Graduation with Honors Research Distinction Program 

For Architecture Students 

Architecture Honors students may pursue Graduation with Honors Research Distinction through a studio track. 

Honors students who would like to participate in the Research Distinction through Studio must:

  • take an Honors Studio (ARCH 4999H)
  • participate in an honors evaluation by faculty review

For Landscape Architecture Students

Landscape Architecture Honors students may pursue Graduation with Honors Research Distinction through a research track.

Honors students who would like to participate in the Honors Research Distinction must:

  • take a research methods Honors Seminar (LARCH 4780H) in the spring semester of their junior year
  • take an Honors seminar in the autumn semester of their senior year in consultation with LARCH 4780 faculty
  • work with a faculty mentor on an independent research project during the spring semester of senior year

For City and Regional Planning Students 

City and Regional Planning Honors students may pursue Graduation with Honors Research Distinction through a Research track. 

Honors students who would like to participate in the Research Distinction through a Research track must: 

  • a research methods Honors Seminar (CRPLAN 4780H); 
  • an Undergraduate Thesis course (CRPLAN 4999H); 
  • and complete an Honors Thesis or Project  

Permission is required to enroll in these courses. Please note that no student is guaranteed to Graduate with Honors Research Distinction; a faculty jury will evaluate the completeness and quality of all distinction projects as part of the final review process during the spring quarter. 

Latin Honors

Latin Honors are awarded based on a student’s cumulative point-hour ratio as of the term penultimate to their graduation semester. Should a student earn a higher designation in the last term of enrollment, the higher honor will be awarded. The degrees cum laudemagna cum laude, and summa cum laude are awarded to those graduates who meet the following standards.

Cum laude

Each student who graduates with a cumulative GPA of 3.50 to 3.69 and completes a minimum of 60 graded semester hours of coursework at Ohio State will receive the cum laude designation on the diploma and transcript.

Magna cum laude

Each student who graduates with a cumulative GPA of 3.70 to 3.89 and completes a minimum of 60 graded semester hours of coursework at Ohio State will receive the magna cum laude designation upon the diploma and transcript.

Summa cum laude

Each student who graduates with a minimum 3.90 cumulative GPA and completes a minimum of 60 graded semester hours of coursework at Ohio State will receive the summa cum laude designation upon the diploma and transcript.

In addition to Latin Honors, qualified students who complete Honors program requirements may graduate with Honors Research Distinction or with honors in architecture, landscape architecture, or city and regional planning.