Honors College Academic Affairs
The Honors College oversees the Honors-related academic policies and practices for all Honors College students at Rutgers, including the offering of Interdisciplinary Honors Courses, approved unique Study Abroad programs, research support, the honors-specific curriculum elements of the Honors Mission-based Courses, selection of the bi-annual Unbound theme and Common Reading, and approval of +Honors Contract Course and Honors Capstone applications.
Each of our Deans oversees specific programs and offerings, through which we then develop a holistic approach to a student's pathway to success using curricular, co-curricular, extra-curricular, social, and residential elements to secure the full experience of a Learning-Living Community here at Rutgers New Brunswick.
In partnership with our six admitting Schools, the academic and curricular advising role rests in the Schools with dedicated or designated School-based Honors College Advisors or Assistant Advising Deans.
School-based Honors College Advising
Honors College academic advising is nestled in the Advising Offices of a student's Academic School. As of 01 July 2025 all academic and curricular matters related to the Honors College (including our courses, a student's progress toward completion, recorded and approved service hours, and more) will be handled by your School-based Honors College advisor(s) or Assistant Advising Deans.
What do School-based Honors College Advisors do?
You should work closely with your School-based Honors College Advisor(s) on issues such as course selection, major selection, Degree Navigator questions, progress toward Honors completion, your academic standing in Honors (which can be different than your standing at RU), and all academic and curriculum concerns.
How often should I meet with my School-based Honors College Advisor?
You should plan to meet with your School-based Honors College Advisor on a regular basis, just as you would your major advisor, to discuss your schedule, plan out your academic and personal goals, or just to talk. You should use your advisors as a full resource to guide you on your intellectual and academic path to success.
View the Advisor and Advisee Relationship.
Who is my School-based Honors College Advisor?
Please see the list of School-based Honors College Advisors and Assistant Advising Deans (below) in order to learn who handles Honors College matters within your School and how to contact them.
School of Arts and Sciences (01)
- Names
Mason Gross School of the Arts (07)
- Lisa B. Sanon-Jules | Assistant Dean, General Advising
- Sabrina Gattuso | Departments of Art & Design, Filmmaking
- Ellen Leibowitz | Department of Music
- Christine Whalen | Departments of Dance, Theater
School of Environmental and Biological Sciences (11)
- Names
School of Engineering (14)
- Names
Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy (30)
- Names
Rutgers School of Business (33)
- Names
Students who are cross-enrolled in Schools such as Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, Graduate School of Education, and School of Communication and Information, should also continuously seek out those School's advisors for assistance on their curricular and acdemic matters, but reserve any Honors-based questions or matters for the above-named six admitting School advisors.
FAQs | HC Academic and Curricular Matters
What are the HC requirements for first-year and sophomore admitted students?
All students who are joining the Honors College for the first time must complete an Honors Mission-based Course and at least 10 hours of Community Service by the end of their first year.
How do I know which courses are honors?
Typically, courses have “Honors” in the title OR have “H” sections, which indicate they are for honors students only. Students may also go to the Honors College site to view courses that typically run with honors sections or versions. Please note “H” sections in summer session ARE NOT honors.
Can I have an SPN for an Interdisciplinary Honors Seminar?
SPNs are not offered for Interdisciplinary Honors Seminars. Enrollment is by the University-wide process and staggered to allow selection based on the descending order of earned credits. If you are unable to get into an IHS you will have to either wait for add/drop to see if a space opens up, or defer enrollment until a subsequent semester.
Can I have a prerequisite overrides/an SPN for a non-honors course?
You will need to contact the department for a prerequisite override and the professor for a SPN. Please note that departments have different processes for prerequisite override requests and SPN requests, you will need to look on the department website for department procedures.
I have a time conflict in my schedule and Webreg will not let me register. Can you override it/can I have an SPN?
If you are looking to do this and have permission from your professors, you need to contact an Advisor or Advising Dean in your school to see if they will grant the override. Please note this request is not often approved.
Am I assigned an advisor/who is my assigned HC advisor?
Honors College advising differs from School to School. Some assign advisors based on majors (Mason Gross School of the Arts) while others have randomly assigned advisors who remain with you for your entire four+ years (School of Arts and Sciences). Be sure to connect with the Advising Office of your School and see the information, noted above to determine who serves you in this role.
General Questions?
Email us at honorscollege@rutgers.edu