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 offers a customizable approach to completing Honors Academic Requirements. The HLD allows students to select Honors credit from two categories: collaborative discovery and experiential learning. Most Honors students at Virginia Tech choose this approach due to its flexibility.

The Honors Laureate Diploma appears on your Virginia Tech diploma and your official transcript.

The Honors Minor in Collaborative Discovery offers a structured approach to completing Honors Academic Requirements. The Honors Minor is grounded in the Honors College core values of collaborative discovery and experiential learning. A curated list of Honors College (UH) courses and experiences makes up the minor checksheet.

Students who complete the Honors Minor in Collaborative Discovery will automatically earn the Honors Laureate Diploma.

The Honors Community Engagement and Service (HCES) diploma approach offers an intensive experience for students who are deeply committed to Ut Prosim (That I May Serve) and 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.

Pursuing this approach will earn you the SPIA Community Engagement and Service Pathways minor and the HCES diploma.