Shackouls Honors College

Judy and Bobby Shackouls
Honors College

Judy and Bobby Shackouls Honors College

The Judy and Bobby Shackouls Honors College at Mississippi State University is a premier academic community designed for high-achieving students who are ready to push the boundaries of their potential. With more than 2,500 members drawn from every college and major across MSU, the Honors College offers the intimacy of a small liberal arts experience inside a first-class, R1 research university — one of the most selective academic environments in the SEC.

Honors students benefit from a uniquely rigorous and personalized educational journey, competing for nationally recognized fellowships, conducting original research alongside world-class faculty, studying abroad, and living in a dedicated residential community that fosters intellectual curiosity and lifelong connection.

Whether you're a first-generation college student, a future Goldwater Scholar, or an aspiring global leader, the Shackouls Honors College is where your potential meets opportunity.

I chose Mississippi State University because of the academic and social opportunities offered here. MSU has allowed me to thrive within the classroom and within student organizations, creating a community of like-minded students who strive to be the best versions of themselves each and every day.

— Charlie Treadwell, Shackouls Honors College Student

Wildlife, Fisheries & Aquaculture, Memphis, TN

Member Benefits

Members of the Shackouls Honors College enjoy an unmatched set of academic and experiential advantages: 

Priority Class Registration

Priority class registration — register before the general student body to secure your ideal schedule 

Dedicated Honors Housing

Dedicated Honors Housing — live and work alongside fellow Honors students in Griffis and Nunnelee Halls, home to Honors offices, classrooms, and meeting spaces 

Undergraduate Research

Undergraduate Research — work side-by-side with MSU's cutting-edge research faculty through the Office of Undergraduate Research & Creative Discovery

Study Abroad Opportunities

Study Abroad Opportunities — develop a global perspective and build an international network through the Honors Study Abroad program 

Small, Discussion-Driven Honors Courses

Small, Discussion-Driven Honors Courses — challenge yourself in intimate classes taught by outstanding MSU faculty 

Individualized Fellowship Advising

Individualized Fellowship Advising — receive one-on-one mentoring as you compete for prestigious national and international awards including the Goldwater, Ertegun, and Critical Language Scholarships 

Presidential Scholarship Eligibility

Presidential Scholarship Eligibility — the Shackouls Honors College is closely tied to MSU's most prestigious scholarship, worth approximately $107,000 over four years

Access to Honors-Exclusive Organizations

Access to Honors-Exclusive Organizations — Honors Ambassadors, Honors Council, Honors OnStage, The Streetcar literary magazine, and more 

Academic Experience

The Shackouls Honors College offers two curriculum pathways to meet the needs of different students — the General Honors Curriculum or Cursus Honorum. 

General
Honors Curriculum

The General Honors curriculum allows students to fulfill Honors requirements by taking a blend of Honors-designated courses within their major and across disciplines. This pathway offers flexibility for students in highly structured degree programs. 

All Honors students have access to dedicated Honors advising, an Honors thesis option, and the full suite of Honors initiatives and organizations regardless of their curriculum track. 

Cursus Honorum

The Cursus Honorum is the Honors College's signature interdisciplinary curriculum. It is a demanding, cohort-based program that deepens critical thinking, writing, and global awareness through a sequence of interconnected Honors seminars. Students who complete the Cursus Honorum graduate with a distinction that reflects the highest level of Honors achievement. 

Honors Initiatives

The Shackouls Honors College sponsors a range of programs that extend learning beyond the classroom: 

Office of Prestigious External Scholarships

The Honors College provides individualized coaching to students competing for the nation's most competitive undergraduate scholarships and fellowships. Recent recipients include Goldwater Scholars, Ertegun Scholars, and Critical Language Scholars.

Office of Undergraduate Research & Creative Discovery

From freshman year onward, Honors students are encouraged to engage in original research alongside MSU's world-class faculty. The URCD connects students with faculty mentors, funding opportunities, and pathways to publish and present their findings.

Study Abroad

The Honors Study Abroad program helps students develop a global perspective by building relationships with international universities, agencies, and communities. Presidential Scholarship recipients receive $12,000 in enrichment funds that can be applied toward study abroad experiences.

Delta Scholars Program

The Delta Scholars Program provides Honors students with a unique service-learning and community engagement experience rooted in the Mississippi Delta, connecting academic excellence with real-world impact.

Early Honors Academy

Designed for high-achieving high school students, the Early Honors Academy gives future MSU students a preview of the academic rigor and community of the Shackouls Honors College.

Orators

A competitive public speaking organization within the Honors College that develops communication skills and prepares students to represent MSU on the national stage.

How to Apply to the Shackouls Honors College

The Honors College application is open to all admitted Mississippi State University students, including incoming freshmen, transfer students, and current MSU students. There are two application pathways: the Standard Application process and the Distinguished Honors Applicant process. The application portal will open on October 1. 

Standard Application Process

Open to all admitted MSU students who do not qualify as Distinguished Applicants, or who miss the December 1 Distinguished deadline. Requirements: 

- Submit an essay

- Submit two letters of recommendation

- Standard Deadline: May 1

A selection committee reviews each application holistically, considering student grades, test scores, essay, and recommendation letters. 

Distinguished Honors Applicant Process

Who qualifies: Students who are admitted to MSU prior to December 1 AND have a minimum ACT score of 31 (or SAT equivalent) AND a minimum high school GPA of 3.90.

- Distinguished Applicants participate in an expedited review process. Requirements: 

- Submit one essay responding to a provided prompt 

- Letters of recommendation are NOT required for Distinguished Applicants 

Essay must be submitted prior to December 1 

Important: After December 1, the Distinguished Applicant pathway closes. Students wishing to apply after this date must use the Standard Application process, which includes letters of recommendation. 

How to Submit Your Application

- Apply in your application portal beginning October 1

- You must be admitted to Mississippi State University before accessing the Honors application 

- Transfer students and current MSU students are welcome to apply 

Transfer Students

- Transfer students typically apply through the standard review process, with a few exceptions. 

- PTK Transfer Students 

  • Verified members of PTK with a 3.75+ GPA will receive an invitation to join the Honors College after admission to Mississippi State University.

- Partner Honors Programs

  • Students transferring from the following institutions may transfer directly into the Shackouls Honors College if they: 

    • Are enrolled in their institution’s Honors Program 

    • Have a 3.4+ GPA 

  • Eligible institutions include:

    • Gulf Coast Community College 

    • Pearl River Community College 

    • Itawamba Community College 

    • Jones College 

    • Northeast Mississippi Community College 

    • Hinds Community College 

    • Copiah Lincoln Community College

Frequently Asked Questions

About the Honors College

What is the Shackouls Honors College at Mississippi State University?

The Shackouls Honors College is a community of high-achieving scholars dedicated to maximizing their time at Mississippi State. Honors students are surrounded by opportunities to connect with peers, world-class faculty, and university leadership while benefiting from honors-specific housing, priority registration, personalized guidance in undergraduate research, prestigious external scholarships, and transformative study abroad experiences like our Oxford Experience. 

How big is the Shackouls Honors College?

The Shackouls Honors College has a community of over 2,500 students from every college and major at Mississippi State University.

Is the Shackouls Honors College worth it?

For high-achieving students, yes. Honors College members gain priority class registration, access to exclusive research and study abroad programs, individualized fellowship advising, and a dedicated residential community. MSU Honors students regularly win some of the nation's most prestigious awards, including the Goldwater, Ertegun, and Critical Language Scholarships.

What GPA do you need to stay in the Shackouls Honors College?

Students are required to maintain a 3.4 GPA, take one honors class per academic year, and complete one capstone experience prior to graduation. 

Applying to the Honors College

How do I apply to the Shackouls Honors College?

All admitted MSU students can apply in their online application portal beginning on October 1. There are two pathways: (1) Distinguished Honors Applicants — students admitted to MSU before December 1 with a minimum ACT score of 31 (or SAT equivalent) and a GPA of 3.90 or higher — submit only an essay by December 1. (2) All other admitted students follow the Standard Application process, which requires an essay and two letters of recommendation, with a deadline of May 1.

What is the deadline to apply to the MSU Honors College?

There are two deadlines. Distinguished Honors Applicants (ACT 31+, GPA 3.90+, admitted to MSU before December 1) must submit their essay by December 1. All other applicants must submit their essay and two letters of recommendation by May 1.

What ACT score do you need to get into the Shackouls Honors College?

There is no single required ACT score. Students with a minimum ACT of 31 (or SAT equivalent) and a GPA of 3.90 who are admitted to MSU before December 1 qualify for the expedited Distinguished Honors Applicant process. Students who do not meet these thresholds — or who apply after December 1 — are still encouraged to apply through the Standard Application process, which takes a holistic approach considering grades, test scores, an essay, and two letters of recommendation.

Can transfer students apply to the Shackouls Honors College?

Yes. The Honors College application is open to all admitted MSU students, including community college transfer students and current MSU students. Transfer students who do not qualify through the Distinguished pathway can apply through the Standard Application process, which requires an essay and two letters of recommendation.

What is the Distinguished Honors Applicant process?

The Distinguished Honors Applicant process is an expedited review pathway for students who are admitted to MSU before December 1 and have a minimum ACT score of 31 (or SAT equivalent) and a minimum GPA of 3.90. Distinguished Applicants only need to submit one essay by December 1 — letters of recommendation are not required. After December 1, all applicants must use the Standard Application process.

Do I need letters of recommendation to apply to the MSU Honors College?

It depends on your pathway. Distinguished Honors Applicants (ACT 31+, GPA 3.90+, admitted before December 1) do not need letters of recommendation — only an essay. All other applicants must submit two letters of recommendation as part of the Standard Application.

Benefits & Student Life

Does the Shackouls Honors College have its own housing?

Yes. The Shackouls Honors College is a residential college. Freshman students are encouraged to live in Griffis and Nunnelee Halls, which house Honors offices, classrooms, and meeting spaces, creating a vibrant live-and-learn community.

What scholarships are available to Honors College students at MSU?

Incoming Honors students with a 30 + ACT (or SAT equivalent) and 3.75 + GPA are eligible to apply for the Presidential scholarship. All honors students are eligible to apply for honors funding that can help them experience Study Abroad and research opportunities along with other high impact experiences. Additionally, the Honors College provides dedicated advising to help students compete for nationally prestigious external scholarships such as the Goldwater Scholarship, Ertegun Scholarship, and Critical Language Scholarship.

What organizations can Honors students join?

The Honors College sponsors several student organizations, including Honors Ambassadors, Honors Council, Honors OnStage (a performing arts group), and The Streetcar (a literary magazine). Students also have access to all MSU student organizations through the broader university.

Does the Shackouls Honors College offer study abroad programs?

Yes. The Shackouls Honors College offers a unique opportunity to study abroad at the University of Oxford. The Honors College is also a great place to get connected with other opportunities study abroad.  

Can Honors students do undergraduate research at MSU?

Yes. The Honors College works closely with the Office of Undergraduate Research & Creative Discovery (URCD) to connect students with research faculty from their first year. Honors students can conduct original research, apply for funding, and pursue opportunities to publish and present their work.

Contact & Next Steps

How do I contact the MSU Shackouls Honors College?

You can reach the Honors College by phone at 662-325-2377, by email at nholbrook@honors.msstate.edu, or by visiting their website at honors.msstate.edu. The Honors College is located in Griffis Hall on the Mississippi State University campus in Starkville, Mississippi.

Where do I apply to the Shackouls Honors College?

Applications are submitted online in their application portal. 

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