The Whitney Young Honors Collegium (WYHC) provides an exciting and intensified academic and social community for selected students at Kentucky State University.  Aimed to amplify students’ college experience, WYHC offers enhanced academic courses, co-curricular enrichment activities, and special programs for students in every major. Scholars participate in learning experiences that promote intellectual growth, cultural competency, professional and leadership development, civic participation, and global engagement.   We procure a scholarly environment where creativity, innovation, critical thinking, and imagination are encouraged.  The guidance students receive in the WYHC will make them distinct, high-achieving undergraduates who meet the global 21st-century challenges. 

Honors students are required to complete a minimum of 120 credit hours and any other requirements from their respective major, school, and/or college.  As incoming freshmen the initial thirty-eight credit hours are the Honors Core Courses.  These courses are an enhanced intensive alternative to the General Education Core.  All courses are designated (Honors). Once matriculated through the general education courses, honors students work one-on-one with research mentors in their discipline to complete a research paper or project in their courses that will be presented at honors conferences. Honors seniors must complete a capstone project or senior thesis that is presented to the Honors faculty council.

The Whitney Young Honors Student Council is a great way for honors students to express their leadership skills.  As an active student organization, the Honors Student Council organizes service and social events to the university and serves as a forum for Honors student suggestions and concerns. 

 The Whitney Young Honors Collegium honors the legacy of Kentucky native and KSU's most renowned alumnus, Whitney M. Young, Jr. Young.  His statesmanship, negotiation skills, and commitment to social justice are examples of global leadership. KSU students are well-served by emulating Young's model of service to humankind.

 The Associate and Bachelor's of Arts in Liberal Studies are also housed in the College.

Liberal Studies Degree Programs:

• A.A. Liberal Studies
• B.A. Liberal Studies

The Liberal Studies degrees are housed in the Whitney Young Honors Collegium. This interdisciplinary degree redefines the Liberal Arts for the 21^st Century, and students at Kentucky State University have the option of pursuing an Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree.  Liberal Studies enhances students’ global awareness and critical thinking skills and fosters solutions to numerous global issues.  Aligned with the University’s liberal studies mission, the goal of the Liberal Studies degree is to prepare global citizens by cultivating an understanding and appreciation for human cultural, historical, and social experiences via a plethora of innovative courses.  The BA liberal studies degree provides excellent preparation for graduate or professional school.

Associate's

Bachelor's