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W.E.B. DuBois Honors Program
The W.E.B. Du Bois Honors Program experience is one that offers students both exceptional academic and extracurricular opportunities. These opportunities are designed for students (of all majors) who are intellectually curious, capable, and interested in making the most of their time at Huston-Tillotson University. The staff members of the Du Bois Honors Program are dedicated to assisting students to achieve their academic and personal goals.
APPLICATION LINK
Priority Selection: February 14, 2025
Program Selection: February 28, 2025
Late Application Period: March 1st – August 1st, 2025
Note: late applicants may still apply between March and August, however considerations will only be made should a spot become available.
Students must be first fully admitted to Huston-Tillotson University prior to Honors Program consideration. See Admission site for details.
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Benefits and Opportunities
There are several benefits associated with being a Du Bois Scholar. Students who have completed the program have commented that they made many new friends, derived a sense of accomplishment far beyond their dreams, and gained a global perspective on issues. Below are just a few examples of the benefits provided to Du Bois Scholars.
- Specialized honors courses that will challenge one’s intellect
- Fellowship with a diverse community of Du Bois Scholars from all parts of the globe
- Annual fall semester and spring semester retreats to Dallas, Houston, or San Antonio
- Du Bois Honors Program receptions, cultural events, and educational seminars
- Participation in the Annual Honors Colloquium
- Connection with local and national internship programs, fellowships, and competitions
- A renewable scholarship for four academic years
If you are a student who has excelled academically in high school, we invite you to learn more about the Honors program. If you are a student who wants to embrace the myriad of opportunities to challenge your intellect, to develop your critical thinking and leadership skills, and to cultivate an appreciation for life-long learning, then the W.E.B. Du Bois Program may be the program for you.
Admission Requirements
New HT Students: Students who have graduated from high school no more than one year prior to the date of application are eligible for admission to the Du Bois Honors Program. Admission is determined by the following:
- Examination scores from new SAT (combined 1,080 on Math and Evidence-Based Reading and Writing); or old SAT ((combined 1,000 Math and Critical Reading)); or ACT (score of 22)
- High school transcripts (3.5 GPA unweighted)
- Two (2) Letters of Recommendation from: 1) High School Principal or Counselor, and 2) Senior-year Teacher or Community Leader
- Writing sample
- Telephone interview
Students must be first fully admitted to Huston-Tillotson University prior to Honors Program consideration. See Admission site for details.
Sophomore-level Entry: Highly qualified non-transfer students may have the opportunity to join the Honors Program at the end of their freshman year. These students must have a cumulative 3.5 GPA (unweighted) and must have completed at least 30 semester credit hours from HT. Email Honors Program Director, Dr. Jennifer Miles at jpmiles@htu.edu for more information.
Membership in the Honors Program is limited to five (5) from this group.
To Remain in Good Standing: Students who have been accepted as members of the W.E.B. Du Bois Honors Program must maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.3 to remain in the program. Also, they must take a minimum of 15 credit hours each semester. In addition, Du Bois Scholars may not earn a grade or “D” or “F” in any course and remain in the program.
Honors Courses
Each Du Bois Scholar will receive personalized academic advisement and guidance from Honors Program staff regarding course selection. Du Bois Scholars are required to complete the following Honors courses:
- UNIV 1101H – Freshmen Seminar I
- UNIV 1102H – Freshmen Seminar II
- COMM 1315H – Public Speaking
And, must complete seven (7) courses from the following list:
- COSC 1300H – Introduction to Computers
- EDUC 4301H – Special Topics: Critical Race Theory Preparation
- ENGL 1301H – Introduction to College Composition
- ENGL 1302H – College Rhetoric and Composition
- ENGL 2304H – African American Literature (or a Sophomore level Literature course)
- ENGL 4353H – Literary and Writing Arts: “Collecting, Recording, Presenting and Preserving Family and Community Narratives for Prosperity”
- HIST 1301H – United States History I
- HIST 1381H – Introduction to the African-American Experience
- PHIL 2301H – Philosophy and Ethics
- PSCI 1301H – American Government (Federal)
First inaugurated during the 2003-2004 academic year, the W.E.B. Du Bois Honors Program at Huston-Tillotson University is named for Dr. Du Bois (1868-1963), a brilliant African American sociologist, historian, civil rights advocate, and intellectual of the twentieth century. Each year, the Honors Program recruits approximately 20 academically gifted first-year students whose high school accomplishments indicate their intellectual ability, level of motivation, and leadership potential. The Honors Program offers students a unique opportunity to enrich their education at Huston-Tillotson University through honors courses, specialized seminars and lectures, networking-mentorship opportunities, and cultural events.
Gallery of Past W.E.B. Dubois Scholars and Services
- Honors Scholars Abdulwakil Abdulkadir and Lorin Stewart welcome students during the Fall 2024 Organizational Fair
- Official Du Bois Scholar 2023 (President’s Opening Convocation)
- Computer Science Honors Scholars visit the Engineering Makers Station at UT
- Honors Scholars attending In Conversation with Angela Davis at the Paramount Theatre September 13, 2023
- Honors Scholar Oluwaseun Adediwura (3rd from right, center blue shirt) receives a national award from Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. 2024
- Honors Scholars all smiles at the E.T. Dixon Lecture Series January 2024
- Honors Scholars presenting Mr. Roland Martin with an award at the 2023 Honors Lecture Series.
- Honors Scholar and Junior Asia Mueller, center, speaks at a press conference to announce the new Texas Historically Black Colleges and Universities Caucus as Texas State Representatives Ron Reynolds (D – Missouri City) and Jolanda Jones (D – Houston) stand by, May 4, 2023 at the Texas State Capitol in Austin. The caucus will support the nine HBCUs in Texas. “We are the face of the future, I am hopeful for the future of students who like me,” said Mueller, a computer science major.
- Honors Scholars meeting & greeting future Rams at Spring Preview Day
- Honors Scholars meeting & greeting future Rams at Spring Preview Day
- Honors Scholars win big at HBCU Battle of the Brains 2022
- W.E.B. Du Bois Scholars at the 2023 Honors Lecture Series.
- W.E.B. Du Bois Scholars 2022 on Bluebonnet Hill
- Honors Scholar, Miss Angel Traylor serves as Mistress of Ceremonies at the 2023 Honors Lecture Series.
- Honors Scholar Yvonne shares a poem at the 2023 Honors Lecture Series.
- 2023 Honors Lecture Series.
- Honors Scholar, Miss Jeala Rice and Program Director, Dr. Jennifer Miles at the 2023 Honors Lecture Series.
- Honors Scholars, Mr. Marcus Gibson, Miss Ckyra Anthony and Kelise Christopher at the 2023 Honors Lecture Series.
- Honors Scholars, Miss Jadacia Davis and Jaymee Yelton welcome guests to the 2023 Honors Lecture Series.
- Honors Scholars,MMr. Frederick Guess III and Miss Trinity Clay welcome guests to the 2023 Honors Lecture Series.
- W.E.B. Du Bois Scholars visiting CapMetro for their Garrett Morgan Celebration 2023.
- The initial meeting of the Scholars’ Advisory Board
- First-year freshmen, whom attended the November 17th showing of “When I Last Wrote to You about Africa,” by artist El Anatsui, featured at the Blanton Museum
- DuBois Scholars attend West Side Story held at Bass Concert Hall, April 2011.
- Graduating DuBois Scholars attend Senior Scholars’ Dinner held at Fogo De Chao, April 2011.
- DuBois Scholars who completed the Fall 2011 Semester with a 4.0 GPA attend Blue Man Group Performance, February 2011.
- HT and St. Edward’s Honors Students’ Joint Community Service Project TAKS Tutoring
- HT and St. Edward’s Honors Students’ Joint Community Service Project TAKS Tutorin
- DuBois Scholars Greet Mwangaza Children’s Choir of Uganda
- DuBois Scholars Greet Mwangaza Children’s Choir of Uganda
- Professor Bryce North and his honors English class at the Harry Ransom Center November 2010
- Congratulations DuBois Graduating Seniors – Class of 2010
- Words of Welcome Program on September 2, 2010
- Dr. Natanya Duncan, the guest speaker, and DuBois Scholars at the Seventh Annual DuBois Lecture on February 9, 2010.
- Congratulations DuBois Graduating Seniors – Class of 2010
- The 2019-2020 W.E.B. DuBois Scholars shining bright as the heartbeat of East Austin, here at Huston-Tillotson University
- The 2019-2020 W.E.B. DuBois Scholars