The purposes of this study were to determine the major characteristics of honors programs at colleges and universities in the southern region of the United States and to review the perceptions of honors programs directors relating to the effectiveness of and challenges facing honors programs at these institutions. A survey was administered to 159 honors directors in colleges and universities that were accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), offered coursework leading to a bachelor's degree, and were also members of the National Collegiate Honors Council (NCHC). Descriptive statistics were used to address the research questions, and chi-square tests for the hypotheses. Of the 92 institutions that participated in the study, all offered an honors program Undergraduate enrollment ranged from 5,000 to 40,000. Each honors program was characterized as a general honors program that began in the freshmen year and completed in the senior year. Enrollment in the honors program comprised 3% to 7% of the student population. The majority of honors programs were managed by a part-time honors director with other teaching and/or administrative duties, supported by a full-time secretary and funded by an independent budget line item. Special benefits for honors students included smaller classes, increased opportunities for research, personalized counseling and advising, advance registration opportunities, and special housing accommodations. Honors faculty received no additional monetary compensation and were largely selected by the honors director or honors advisory council. Honors directors were satisfied with the overall effectiveness of the honors program, student interest in the program, and administrative and faculty support and commitment. Marketing of the honors program, increased benefits and recognition of honors faculty, an increased honors budget, and improved curriculum were listed as areas of the honors program in which considerable changes should be made. The majority of honors directors perceived that students in the honors program should have special housing options and that scholarships for superior students should be awarded through the honors program. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]