In addition to providing specific challenges and opportunities, the Honors Program is designed to help the brightest and best students mature as scholars. The following features of the program address specific areas of intellectualism and scholarship, developing self-cognitive and cultural awareness from the freshman year.

Honors Forum (MIDS 101)
This course follows a discussion-based format in which the Honors students are challenged to discover differences and definitions in the way they and others "see" the world.

Service Learning (MIDS 201)
By engaging the Honors students as volunteers in an unfamiliar institution, which is oriented toward public service, this experience is designed to lead the students through a critical analysis of organizational, culture, and social capital, encountered during the time of service.

International Study/Travel (MIDS 390)
At some point during the students  tenure at Southern, they are required to complete an international study experience, highlighting the further development of the scholars by observing and/or studying a culture other than the students  own. Following the experience the students will be guided through a reflective analysis which can secure the benefits of the study to the maturing scholars.

Senior Honors Thesis (MIDS 499)
The summit experience for the honors scholars is the design, pursuit, and presentation of original research. Each scholar will present the thesis in oral and written form, and a distinguished professor in that student s program of study will sponsor the endeavor