Admissions

Why Consider the TSU Honors College? 

• prepares students for success in the local, national, and international arenas.  
• provides scholarships to freshmen.  
• is associated with a dynamic Houston urban university with a historical mission of educating a diverse student body.  
• is centrally located in the 4th largest city in the U.S. – near the Texas Medical Center, Museum District, and NASA.  

• utilizes world-renowned faculty and administrative leadership, and stresses student academic support and guidance. The Honors College is named in honor of Dr. Thomas Franklin Freeman, the distinguished professor of psychology and philosophy and legendary coach of the acclaimed debate team at Texas Southern University. Among his accomplishments, Dr. Freeman instructed such iconic figures as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Rep. Barbara Jordan, and advised Academy Award winner Denzel Washington in preparation for his performance in the film The Great Debaters.  

How to obtain Admission  

Admission to the Honors College is open to students who have exceptional academic backgrounds and an interest in continued rigorous collegiate-level coursework. Prospective students should complete the application for admission to the university as well as Honors College documents. Acceptance into the Honors College is based on certain criteria.  

Eligibility Requirements for High School Seniors:  

• Grade Point Average of 3.5 or higher on 4.0 scale, or,  

• Top 10% of class  

Eligibility Requirements for Transfer and Continuing Students :  

• No more than 60 semester credit hours  
• Grade Point Average of 3.5 or higher on 4.0 scale  

High school seniors are encouraged to submit (d) three letters of support – on the school's letterhead – preferably from their teachers in English, mathematics, and any science. Transfer and new continuing students are encouraged to submit one (1) letter of support – from a college professor in their major.    

Special Note on Financial Assistance  
If a student receives a scholarship through the Thomas F. Freeman Honors College, it is with the condition that the student will first enroll in Texas Southern University in the fall semester of the academic year the scholarship covers. The University considers the Honors College scholarship to be part of the total financial aid package. Federal and state financial aid programs require that students not receive financial aid in excess of their financial need, as determined by their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). If a student should receive financial aid through Texas Southern University, the Office of Student Financial Assistance will determine whether the award from the Honors College necessitates a revision of the financial aid package. This may result in the adjustment of the Honors College award.  

PLEASE DIRECT ALL INQUIRIES TO THE THOMAS F. FREEMAN HONORS COLLEGE AT  HONORSDEAN@TSU.EDU  OR CALL 713-313-6725.