Honors isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing college differently.
Benefits to Joining the University Honors College
The Honors College is a selective program for top scholars. Our mission is to develop the next generation of researchers, artists and professionals who embrace curiosity and pursue excellence in their education, social and professional development. Students of CSUSB’s Honors College will experience numerous benefits during their academic journey.
Immediate Benefits as a CSUSB Student
- 💰 Generous scholarships opportunities exclusive to students in the Honors College;
- Receive priority registration within your class year;
- Fulfill general education requirements in smaller-sized Honors classes with 15-20 students per course, this contrasts general university classes of 30-100+ students;
- Unique opportunities to take graduate level classes as an undergraduate;
- 🏡 Live with other Honors students in a dedicated Living Learning Community (LLC) for a built-in support system and sense of belonging right from day one;
- Structured opportunities for community service;
- Focused and more personalized advising;
- Exclusive use of the Honors College facilities: study rooms, computer lab, and the Honors' student lounge;
- Participate in free “Honors-only” events like excursions to museums, movies, and live performances.
Perhaps more importantly, research suggests that Honors students may experience:
✅ Higher graduation rates
✅ Faster time to degree completion
✅ Higher GPAs
✅ Faster employment after graduation
✅ Higher first-year salaries
✅ Enhanced resumes/marketability through completion of a thesis
Inclusivity
The University Honors College is an inclusive community that welcomes students from all backgrounds and interests. The program includes students from every major on campus, with programs designed to challenge students in their chosen fields of study while exploring related fields. The program's activities also celebrate the rich diversity of identities that make Honors such an exciting place to learn, explore, and build friendships. With a philosophy that embraces each student's unique blend of strengths and experiences, the program strives to help students connect their individual identities to the career and graduate school goals.
Honors in Action
Students in the program commit to active engagement in community activities. With our emphasis on community engagement, the University Honors College initiated Honors in Action, a community partnership program that teams the Honors College with community groups in need of support in achieving their missions. Those partnerships range from pairing students with children in the community through the Big Brothers/Big Sisters Program to larger scale events, such as our work with Rebirth Homes and the San Bernardino County CASE office to sponsor a week of activities to raise awareness around issues of human trafficking. This event includes a campus-based exhibition, speakers, a film, and an awareness walk.
Exploratory Excursions
The purpose of the Exploratory Excursions Program is to provide students with opportunities to learn about both the region in which they are studying and diverse areas of knowledge through experiential learning. The program takes students in the University Honors College out into the surrounding area to learn about diverse topics on location. The trips are no cost to students, except for meals.
Exploratory Excursion destinations include cultural, historic, and scientific spaces. Cultural excursions have taken students to The Getty Center, The Los Angeles County Museum of Art, The Huntington Library and Gardens, and stage productions at the Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles. Science trips have taken students to, among other places, The California Science Center, kayaking in Black Canyon, and on whale watching trips. The historical excursions will allow students to visit locations such as The Getty Villa and historic locales in the metro-LA area.
