Honors Program
The Honors Program at Ohio State is designed to meet the needs of students with superior academic ability and to promote scholarly development throughout their college careers.
The College of Public Health offers honors students several ways through which they can distinguish themselves, including designation as an honors student, Graduation with Honors in Public Health and Graduation with Honors Research Distinction in Public Health.
Honors students study a more advanced curriculum, participate in research and have access to non-curricular programs that enhance their student experiences. Students also receive priority scheduling to assist in degree planning and the research requirements part of the honors program.
- Students must submit a BSPH honors contract and degree plan to the honors academic advisor
- Students must complete 18 hours of honors or upper division (3000+) or graduate-level courses over the first three years of study (3000+ major courses do not count as honors requirements)
- Students must complete PUBHLTH 3180E (capstone prep)
- Students must complete an honors capstone experience
- Students must maintain a GPA of a 3.4 or higher
BSPH majors and pre-majors who are not Ohio State Honors students but wish to join the College of Public Health undergraduate honors program are required to:
- Complete a minimum of 15 credit hours at The Ohio State University
- Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.4 or higher
- Meet with a College of Public Health advisor to discuss the honors program and to receive instructions on completing an honors application
Current Ohio State honors students who transfer to the College of Public Health from another major do not need to apply to the College of Public Health honors program. However, they are required to meet with a College of Public Health undergraduate academic advisor during the same term they transfer into the BSPH major or pre-major and complete an honors contract. The contract should be completed by the end of the semester they transfer into the BSPH major/pre-major.
Incoming first-year students directly admitted to the university honors program do not need to fill out the honors application, but they do need to complete an honors contract with a College of Public Health academic advisor.
Honors students may choose their capstone experience:
- Honors internship - Gain professional experience by working with an organization in a public health role
- Honors research thesis - Conduct a research project under the guidance of a faculty member and write an undergraduate thesis
- Honors field experience (study abroad) - Immerse yourself in a public health issue by studying abroad in a pre-approved program
Students completing an honors study abroad or an honors internship will be eligible to graduate with Honors. Students choosing to complete an honors research thesis will be eligible to graduate with Honors Research Distinction in Public Health.
Learn more about honors capstone requirements in the Undergraduate Student Handbook.