Program Admissions

The Cal State LA Honors College is committed to admitting motivated students who are interested in actively participating in our intellectual, social, and community engagement programs. Selection will be based on a comprehensive review of application materials, including written essays, letters of recommendation, and SAT/ACT scores. Finalists may be invited to interview with the Honors College Admissions Committee. Both new and continuing students are eligible for admission to the Honors College. New students must also be admitted to the University.

We recommend that incoming freshmen applicants have a cumulative high school GPA of 3.5 or higher and a combined minimum score of 1170 on the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and Math sections of the SAT, or a minimum composite ACT score of 26.

We recommend that incoming transfer students have a minimum GPA of 3.5 or higher in their college coursework and in all lower division GE requirements, which are recommended to be completed prior to admission to the Honors College.

Continuing Cal State LA sophomores interested in entering the Honors College in the junior year may also be eligible for admission to the Honors College provided they have attained a minimum GPA of 3.5 or higher in their college coursework and in all lower division GE requirements, which are recommended to be completed prior to admission to the Honors College.

For all applicants, admission is based on a holistic evaluation of preparedness based on application materials and may include an interview. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission to the Honors College.

Requirements, Good Standing, and Probation

Honors College students remain in good standing if they maintain an overall and Cal State LA GPA of 3.3 or higher, complete required honors courses on schedule and participate in Honors College activities each semester. These required activities include 10 hours of community service/engagement per year, and 2 on-campus enrichment activities per year.

Students are placed on honors probation if their overall or Cal State LA grade point average falls below 3.3. Students who are on probation for more than two consecutive semesters (not including Winter and Summer intersessions) will lose their Honors College privileges, including priority registration and any Honors College scholarships. Students on probation will be restored to good standing once their overall and CalState LA GPA return to 3.3.

To be eligible to register for HNRS 4970 (Honors College Senior Forum), the course in which the honors thesis/project is completed and presented, students must have a 3.3 overall GPA, senior standing in the Honors College, a completed Letter of Understanding, and an approved Thesis Prospectus. Students who fail to meet any of the requirements to be eligible to complete HNRS 4970 during their senior year will immediately lose their standing as Honors College students including loss of all Honors College privileges and scholarships.

Students may also lose their privileges if they fail to demonstrate active participation in Honors College activities, are not completing the Honors College program requirements, or violate the Cal State LA Standards of Student Conduct.

Students who graduate in Good Standing in the Honors College will receive an “Honors College Program Completed” designation on their transcripts and on their diploma.

Honors Thesis/Project

The Honors College undergraduate experience culminates in a required advanced research or creative thesis/project completed either in the student’s undergraduate degree program or in the Honors College. An honors-level undergraduate thesis/project will promote focus, depth, and independence and will develop creativity, resilience, and patience. By completing the thesis/project, students demonstrate the ability to become producers of knowledge in their own right.

Honors College students begin work on their thesis/project requirement typically during their junior year by participating in a series of required workshops.  Students complete the thesis/project requirement in conjunction with offerings in their major department/college (variable units) by creating an honors thesis/project contract with permission of the instructor and Honors Director/Associate Director during the fall semester of their thesis year and enrolling in the following course during the spring semester of their thesis year.  Students must have a minimum overall and Cal State LA GPA of 3.3 in order to be eligible to begin the thesis/project.