Overview
The Honors Tutorial College offers twenty-six challenging programs of study that provide a unique undergraduate educational experience to a select number of qualified students.
Students admitted to the College undertake a substantial portion of the core curriculum in their respective disciplines through a series of tutorials. A tutorial consists of a full-time faculty member meeting with students either singly or in small seminars. In pursuing this method of instruction the College draws upon the rich educational traditions of British universities such as Cambridge and Oxford. Although other colleges and universities have adopted some aspects of the tutorial model, Ohio University remains the only institution in the United States with a degree-granting college incorporating all the essential features of a tutorial-based education. The success of the College's approach to undergraduate education is evident in its distinguished 30-year history and the impressive achievements of its alumni.
Honors Tutorial College Programs of Study
Through formal arrangements with various academic departments in the University, the Honors Tutorial College offers majors in:
Only these disciplines are available as programs of study at the present time. `
Detailed descriptions of programs of study can be found on this web site under "Prospective Students."
Honors Tutorial College
Ohio University / 35 Park Place / Athens, OH 45701-2979
Telephone: 740.593.2723 / Fax: 740.593.9521 / E-mail: honors.college@ohio.edu
Administration and Content of Programs of Study
Programs of study are administered by a full-time faculty member appointed by the College. These professors, known as Directors of Studies, act as academic advisors, work with their colleagues to arrange tutorials, conduct admission interviews, and coordinate other aspects of their particular programs of study.
Although Directors of Studies assist students in selecting the proper courses each quarter, students are responsible for seeing that all requirements are met.
Each program of study has its own set of specific academic goals. All programs involve tutorials, but some also ask students to complete a sequence of collateral studies, to participate in a seminar or a lecture series, to pass a set of comprehensive examinations, or to undertake laboratory, field, or studio work. All programs of study also require the completion of a thesis project.
Degree Requirements
To earn a bachelor's degree in the Honors Tutorial College, you must fulfill all the academic requirements of your program of study, maintain a 3.5 g.p.a. in the courses that are required by your program of study, have at least a 3.3 overall gradepoint average (g.p.a.), satisfy the University's English composition requirement and complete a thesis project. You must also participate in a freshman seminar and a community service project.
The Honors Tutorial College does not mandate a fixed hour requirement or a specific course distribution (except as required by individual programs of study). To earn a second bachelor's degree in another college at Ohio University, you also must complete all the requirements established by the second college.
Degrees conferred by the College include the Bachelor of Fine Arts in (major), Bachelor of Science in Journalism, Bachelor of Science in Communication in (major), Bachelor of Arts in (major), Bachelor of Science in (major), and Bachelor of Business Administration.
Placement of Graduates
The Honors Tutorial College has earned a reputation for graduate and professional school placement. To date, most students wishing to continue their educations have been placed in noted master's programs, doctoral programs, law schools, and medical schools. Other graduates have readily found employment in fields related to their undergraduate work, particularly in journalism, theater, hearing and speech, and business. The small size of the college and the nature of the curriculum allows faculty and the administrators of the College to be of maximum assistance in career planning and graduate school applications.
Housing Privilege
If you are admitted to the Honors Tutorial College, you will be eligible to live in Hoover House or the Read/Johnson Scholar Complex. Hoover House is the traditional Honors Tutorial College residence hall. Read Hall is a newly renovated dormitory that became an "all scholars" living community in fall 2003. Both housing options provide environments conducive to students who must master the academic challenges of Honors Tutorial College programs of study. The College provides detailed information discussing the specific characteristics of each dormitory to students who have been offered admission.
Admission and Application
Because of the nature of its core curriculum, the Honors Tutorial College must restrict the numbers of students that it can accept each year. As a result, the admissions climate is highly competitive. A variety of elements play a role in admission decisions. Applicants must supply current high school transcripts, standardized test scores (SAT and/or ACT), a senior year schedule of classes, and essays written specifically for the Honors Tutorial College. Some programs of study also require the submission of additional material. Students who are home-schooled should contact the college for specific application instructions. An application that does not contain all of these items will be rejected without receiving a substantive review. Students who are successful at gaining admission to the College generally also supply supporting information beyond the minimum requirements outlined above. Submissions of writing samples, a creative portfolio, and letters of recommendation from teachers or members of the community are strongly encouraged.
The process of application begins with completing the standard Ohio University application form. Although it is possible to apply on line, the College prefers that you download a hard copy of the application and send it directly to the College, 35 Park Place, Athens, Ohio, 45701. On the application form, under the section marked "College," you must indicate that you wish to apply to the Honors Tutorial College. In the space that asks for your major, you need to fill in one of the 25 programs of study listed above. There is no undecided option in the Honors Tutorial College; you must indicate a program of study. If you wish to be considered for admission to more than one program of study, please make this clear on your application. Finally, when filling out the major code make sure to use the codes listed under the Honors Tutorial College heading. Failure to follow these steps may prevent your application from being transferred to the College for consideration. All required and optional materials must be received no later than December 1 in the Honors Tutorial College office.
Decisions about which students will be invited to campus for a personal interview are made after two rounds of file review. These interviews, held in January of the year that an applicant wishes to enter the College, are a required part of the admission process. After all of the interviews are conducted, a determination will be made about which applicants are to be offered admission. Individuals who are invited to join the College must accept or decline admission by May 1st.
Want more information?
Be sure to visit our Admissions Requirements, How to Apply, What is a Tutorial? and Scholars Residence Halls pages for prospective students or email the College to receive a viewbook. Please write "Viewbook request" in the subject line and include your full name and mailing address in the body of the email.