Approaches to Honors

Honors academic requirements can be completed through three distinct approaches. These approaches, which are detailed below, follow the four Honors Academic Requirements but in slightly different ways. Students should carefully consider and choose the approach that is right for them. 

The Honors Laureate Diploma (HLD) is a highly customizable approach to completing Honors Academic Requirements. Students must select Honors credit from two categories: collaborative discovery and experiential learning. Most Honors students choose the HLD for its flexibility.

The “Honors Laureate” distinction will appear on the Virginia Tech diploma and official VT transcript.

The Honors Minor for Collaborative Discovery is curated for collaborative discovery. A structured list of Honors College (UH) courses and experiential learning opportunities makes up the minor checksheet of requirements and electives. Students who complete the Honors Minor in Collaborative Discovery will automatically earn the Honors Laureate Diploma.

The “Honors Laureate” distinction will appear on the Virginia Tech diploma and official transcript. The Honors Minor in Collaborative Discovery will appear on the official VT transcript.

The Honors Community Engagement and Service (HCES) diploma is an intensive community engagement experience for students who are deeply committed to Ut Prosim (That I May Serve) and who want to learn by meaningfully engaging with communities. This is a limited opportunity for students who are committed to, ready to actively participate in, and have a passion for community engagement. HCES culminates in a capstone course, in which students collaborate on real-world projects driven by community partners’ priorities and needs. Students who complete the HCES will automatically earn the School of Public and International Affairs (SPIA) Community Engagement and Service Pathways Minor.

The “Honors Community Engagement and Service” distinction will appear on the Virginia Tech diploma and official VT transcript. The SPIA Community Engagement and Service Minor will appear on the official VT transcript.