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About the Honors Program
What is the GE Honors Program?
The General Education Honors Program is an academic and social program that provides students with the opportunity to take special honors courses and engage in the honors community throughout their time in college.
While traditional general education courses are usually lecture and exam heavy, the courses in the GE Honors Program are dynamic, engaging, and encourage discussion, critical thinking, written communication, and community building. Because class sizes in the program are around 25 students, students develop close bonds with their classmates and receive more individual support from professors. The coursework is designed to give students of all majors the skills needed to succeed both professionally and personally. Students are also encouraged to research topics and ideas that are important to them and their major. Students in the GE Honors Program do not have to take additional coursework as all courses meet general education and graduation requirements - these are courses that Sac State requires students to take along with their major requirements.
First-time college students complete the GE Honors Program Certificate pathway and transfer students complete the minor in Global Engagement and Leadership.
In addition, to the academic experience, students in the program are able to participate in a variety of special events and socials. Past events include game nights, movie nights, coffee socials, and book clubs. The GE Honors Program also has its own social lounge with a kitchenette, library, and computer lab providing students with their own space.
Program Benefits
- A diverse, safe, and supportive academically focused community
- Priority registration – Honors students register for classes on the first day of registration
- Smaller class sizes and individualized attention from dedicated professors
- Individualized academic and personal advising including support with the transition to college, exploring majors, and navigating college
- Support with writing and job, internship, scholarship, and graduate school applications
- Honors-only events, socials, field trips, and study abroad opportunities
- Access to an Honors-only social lounge with kitchenette, library, and computer lab
- For students living on campus, Honors housing in Riverview Hall
- Access to Honors-only scholarships
GE Honors Lounge
Sac State Honors students have access to:
- A lounge complete with study and relaxation space
- Five desktop computers
- A library with a selection of course texts
- A kitchenette equipped with a refrigerator, coffee pots, tea kettles, and microwaves
Honors Program Courses
Students who start the program in their first year, complete a GE Honors Certificate. In their first two years, Honors students take two-three Honors courses (6-9 units) per semester, filling out their schedules with other courses required in their major or pre-major. Students in the GE Honors Program do not have to take additional coursework as all Honors courses meet general education and graduation requirements - these are courses that Sac State requires students to take alongside their major requirements.
Transfer students complete the Honors Minor in Global Engagement and Leadership. HONR 101, 102, and 103 meet a student's upper-division GE Requirements - these are requirements that students will not have already met at community college. They also complete four elective courses.
Student Testimonial
As an incoming student to Sacramento State, you may be wondering if the stress of being in the Honors Program is worth it? As a previously anxious freshman who began and completed the Honors Program, I am proud to express that it is most definitely worth it.
Ihsan Imthiyaz
"My transition from high school to college—especially during the COVID-19 Pandemic—was immensely stressful. The Honors Program challenged me to explore my academic capabilities and social opportunities as a college student while pursuing my dream career as a Doctor of Physical Therapy. The Honors classes were rigorous yet stimulating and I always left with something to contemplate and learn from. Starting from COMS 4H all the way to Honors 103, I became a more culturally competent individual.
As an incoming student to Sacramento State, you may be wondering if the stress of being in the Honors Program is worth it? As a previously anxious freshman who began and completed the Honors Program, I am proud to express that it is most definitely worth it. I was surrounded by open-minded classmates who are very supportive of one another as well as very understanding faculty who are transparent about what they want from their students. The Honors Program is like one big family as individuals only want to see others flourish as well as provide the support you need on your journey. At the end of the day, whatever you put into the program and its courses, is what you will get out of it. The most important thing I remembered during the program was that I was chosen to be an Honors Student for a reason—to serve a greater purpose, for the betterment of my community.”
Ihsan Imthiyaz completed his B.S. in Exercise Science (Clinical Exercise & Rehabilitation Specialist) in Spring 2024. He was accepted into the Doctorate of Physical Therapy Program at Sacramento State beginning Fall 2024.