Academic Scholars Program

academic scholars program brochure images


The Academic Scholars Program is specifically designed for incoming first-year students with strong academic records who are seeking enriched academic opportunities in the first year of college. While all Academic Scholars share a strong history of academic success, they have diverse majors and interests. Academics Scholars use the program to individually enrich their course of studies.

"ASP made transitioning into the rigorous college curriculum not only smooth, but also enjoyable. The resources and connections I had through this program opened so many doors and made me feel secure navigating my first year at MSU."
- Mikayla L., Academic Scholar & Honors College member

  • For Prospective Students (current high school students)

    Enhanced Opportunities
    The overall goal for the Academic Scholars Program is to provide enhanced academic opportunities for you during the first year of college. If you are interested in this type of challenge, the Academic Scholarship Program provides:

    • Recognition of your high school achievements through invitation to this selective academic program
    • Access to enriched coursework in your first year at MSU, including Honors section of required general education classes and selected Honors courses in other departments
    • Opportunities to begin Honors work from the start of your college years, possibly as prelude to Honors College membership
    • Access to smaller classes, taught by faculty who take a personal interest in your intellectual growth
    • The option to reside with other Academic Scholars in Holden Hall
    • Academic Scholars recognition on your MSU transcript and at graduation for completing the program


    Eligibility
    Participation in the Academic Scholars Program is limited to approximately 200 students per year. High-achieving first-generation and/or Pell-eligible high school students will be invited to ASP following admission to Michigan State University. After being notified of eligibility, students who respond will be admitted on a first-come basis.

    Limited housing for Scholars in Holden Hall will also be coordinated on a first-come basis. Academic Scholars housing is optional, so membership in the program does not create a conflict with other Living-Learning programs at MSU, such as Lyman Briggs College, James Madison College, the Residential College in the Arts and Humanities, and similar residential programs.

    Program Requirements
    Academic Scholars must complete the following requirements during their first year at MSU:

    Two Honors experiences (course, section, option)
    Any Honors course or section of 3 or more credits may be used to fulfill this requirement. Common choices include an Honors course/section in Integrative Studies, WRA or other Tier I writing course, math or statistics, a course required for your major, or an elective. Only one of these experiences may be fulfilled with an Honors Option.

    First-year experience
    UGS 101 (on campus), 102 or 102H (abroad), 103 (away), 110 (on-campus), or college-based first-year seminar, or similar Honors experience may be used to fulfill this requirement.

    Success programming
    Academic Scholars must attend a set number of academic, social, and/or professional development events hosted by ASP and other MSU departments each semester. A calendar of eligible events and additional details will be distributed to members by August 15. 

    Prospective Honors College Invitation
    Some Academic Scholars may be admitted as Campus Admits to the Honors College in January of their initial year at MSU. Other ASP students will receive consideration for the Honors College after the first academic year and be invited to join the Honors College if they earn a 3.5+ cumulative GPA (Dean’s list threshold) and have completed two Honors experiences & at least one first-year experience during their initial year at MSU.

    Program Recognition
    Academic Scholars who complete all three required experiences (2 Hs & 1 first-year experience) by the end of their first year at MSU and have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher at the end of their first year will be recognized as participants in the Academic Scholars Program in the Commencement Program and on their transcripts. 

    Contact Us
    Academic Scholars Program
    Eustace-Cole Hall
    468 E. Circle Drive, Room 105
    East Lansing, MI 48824
    Phone: (517) 355-2326
    Email: honors@msu.edu

  • For Current MSU Undergraduate Students
    Program Requirements
    For Students Admitted Beginning Fall 2018 or after
    Academic Scholars must complete the following requirements during their first year at MSU:

    Two Honors experiences (course, section, option)
    Any Honors course or section of 3 or more credits may be used to fulfill this requirement. Common choices include an Honors course/section in Integrative Studies, WRA or other Tier I writing course, math or statistics, a course required for your major, or an elective. Only one of these experiences may be fulfilled with an Honors Option.

    First-year experience
    UGS 101 (on campus), 102 or 102H (abroad), 103 (away), 110 (on-campus), or college-based first-year seminar, or similar Honors experience may be used to fulfill this requirement.

    Success programming (Beginning Fall 2022)
    Academic Scholars must attend a set number of academic, social, and/or professional development events hosted by ASP and other MSU departments each semester. A calendar of eligible events and additional details will be distributed to members by August 15.

    Prospective Honors College Invitation
    Some Academic Scholars may be admitted as Campus Admits to the Honors College in January of their initial year at MSU. Other ASP students will receive consideration for the Honors College after the first academic year and be invited to join the Honors College if they earn a 3.5+ cumulative GPA (Dean’s list threshold) and have completed two Honors experiences & at least one first-year experience during their initial year at MSU.

    Program Recognition
    Academic Scholars who complete all three required experiences (2 Hs & 1 first-year experience) by the end of their first year at MSU and have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher at the end of their first year will be recognized as participants in the Academic Scholars Program in the Commencement Program and on their transcripts.

    Course Opportunities
    Academic Scholars always have access to any Integrative Studies Honors section, any WRA 195H section (or LB 133H for Briggs majors), and Honors sections of several additional courses that may apply to a major or be taken as electives. Academic Scholars have access to Honors courses/sections as long as they meet pre-requisites and course restrictions. Please utilize the Class Search function and filter by Honors courses.
    Courses authorized to offer Honors Options
    How to search for Honors courses in the Class Search
    Spring 2023 Honors courses/sections
    Enrollment help information (Class Search, Shopping Cart, Planner)

    Involvement Opportunities
    Participants in the Academic Scholars Program will be encouraged to participate in a variety of educational & co-/extracurricular experiences to enhance academic/student success.
    • Access to enriched coursework in your first year at MSU, including Honors sections of required general education classes and selected Honors courses in other departments
    • Opportunities to begin Honors work from the start of your college years, possibly as prelude to Honors College membership, with access to smaller classes taught by faculty who take a personal interest in your intellectual growth
    • Eligibility to participate as a mentee in the Honors Navigators Peer Mentorship Program, where you’ll be linked with a sophomore-senior member of the Honors College for 1:1 and small-group mentorship
    • The option to reside with other Academic Scholars in Holden Hall
    • Access to Honors College clubs & student organizations, including the ASP Advisory Council and the First-Generation Honors Association
    • Opportunities to participate in research with the chance to complete an Honors experience through an Honors Research Seminar (only open to you as a first- or second-year student)
    • Academic Scholars recognition on your MSU transcript and at graduation for completing the program


    Academic Scholars Advising
    ASP advising appointments can be scheduled with any advisor below at student.msu.edu. Visit the Student Guide for Scheduling Advising/Tutoring Appointments for information on scheduling 30-minute appointments and viewing drop-in availability. 

    Chris Raisanen
    Email: chrisr@msu.edu  

    Erika Crews
    Email: ecrews@msu.edu

    Sadiq Mohammed
    Email: mohamm61@msu.edu 

    Amanda Ritter
    Email: rittera1@msu.edu 

    Megan Stevenson
    Email: megan@msu.edu 

Programs and Initiatives