Honors Seminar courses are taught by distinguished Lamar University faculty on an ever-changing array of diverse subjects. Each seminar course is an interdisciplinary, intellectually challenging, out-of-the-box course and honors students are invited to propose their own ideas for such courses. Honors Seminars are worth 1 credit hour each and can be applied towards Honors College credit or, as one example, may be used as credit in a student’s major program as an elective.

Students can create a course in an area of interest outside of the standard curriculum offered in a class. The student must identify a faculty member who will supervise the course and using the approved form, submit a detailed description of the coursework to be completed, including reading lists and/ or research objectives and a clear indication of the final product to be submitted for evaluation. The form should also include any agreement reached as to the application of the Independent Study course to the student's degree plan. Independent Studies must be approved by the Honors College Dean and may be applied towards Honors College credit or, as one example, may be used as credit in a student’s major program as an elective.

The thesis Prospectus is due with the application for enrollment in HNRS 4360. During the 4360 semester, the student will complete a literature review/annotated bibliography and submit a research design no later than mid-semester. A summary statement on research completed and an outline of the thesis are due by the end of the 4360 semester.

A draft of the thesis is due by midterm of the 4361 semester. A finished copy of the thesis must be submitted to the Thesis Committee at least two weeks before the last class day at the end of the term. The student must make a public presentation of the thesis findings before receiving final approval of the Thesis Committee. Signatures of all members of the Thesis Committee must be secured before the date designated for submission of grades so that the Thesis Supervisor may assign a grade for both HNRS 4360 and HNRS 4361.

Honors Topic courses are taught by distinguished Lamar University faculty on an ever-changing array of diverse subjects. Each Honors Topic course is an interdisciplinary, intellectually challenging, out-of-the-box course where honors students are invited to propose their own ideas for such courses. Honors Topics are worth 3 credit hours each and can be used for Honors College credit or, as one example, may be used as credit in a student’s major program as an elective.