Honors College
Mission and Objectives
The Honors College at the University of Arkansas brings together high-achieving students and the university’s top faculty members to share transformative learning experiences. Founded in 2002 with a large portion of the $300 million gift from the Walton Family Charitable Support Foundation, the Honors College has a substantial endowment for undergraduate research, service learning and international education.
The Honors College prepares University of Arkansas students to be leaders with intellectual, economic, cultural and ethical impact in the widest scope of fields. To achieve this mission, the Honors College collaborates with honors programs across campus to provide a flexible, interdisciplinary honors curriculum that fosters creative and critical thinking and inspires action. The Honors College encompasses the honors programs from each undergraduate college or school.
Honors Courses
The Honors College offers small, seminar-style courses taught by top professors and campus and community leaders that address topics such as blockchain, gene editing, cancer, presidential elections, climate change and the gothic style in art, architecture and literature. Retro Readings courses revisit classic texts and concepts, from the Bible and Quran to Dante’s Divine Comedy. Other Honors College courses introduce students to undergraduate research, support domestic and international internship opportunities, and prepare students to apply to professional and graduate schools and nationally competitive awards.
Honors courses are also offered within each undergraduate college or school on a wide range of topics. Registration for honors courses is restricted to honors students or other students who meet the honors criteria and who have been approved by the Honors College or the honors program offering the course. For more information visit the Honors College website at honorscollege.uark.edu; also see the honors sections for the college or school major.
Facilities and Resources
The Honors College is housed in a 21,000-square-foot addition to Gearhart Hall, a historic Collegiate Gothic structure located in the heart of campus. Honors students enjoy a spacious lounge, study areas and rooms for group discussions. A 216-seat auditorium below provides space for lectures, film screenings and other events.
Hotz Honors Hall, situated in the heart of the northwest housing area, provides housing for 400 first-year honors students in spaces designed to foster community. Hotz offers a large room for relaxation on the main floor, a computer lounge, music room, conference rooms and a small theater. Each floor is equipped with study areas, alcoves for TV viewing and video gaming, and spa-style bathrooms. The Honors College offers special programming for Hotz residents and upper-level honors students in nearby dorms.
Degrees Offered
Honors programs are offered in all disciplines, tailored to students’ academic interests, with interdisciplinary collaborations encouraged. The college or school of major confers honors degrees. Only Honors College students can earn the distinction of graduating cum laude, magna cum laude or summa cum laude.
Other Programs
Honors College Grants
Each year the Honors College awards more than $1 million in study abroad and undergraduate research grants, which are available to honors students who submit competitive proposals and meet all other requirements. Honors College faculty and staff work closely with the Office of Study Abroad and International Exchange to help honors students find programs that best meet their academic and professional goals. Honors College grants support domestic and international research, internships, community engagement, study abroad and travel to an archive or conference. Deadlines and application instructions are available on the Honors College website at honorscollege.uark.edu.
Nationally Competitive Awards
The Honors College coordinates with the Office of Nationally Competitive Awards to provide assistance to all students who are applying for national and international graduate fellowships and scholarships (i.e. Marshall, Rhodes, Schwarzman, Truman, Udall, Gates Cambridge, Rotary, Fulbright, and National Science Foundation). For more information, refer to the Enrollment Services section of this catalog.
College Admission Requirements
To apply for honors, students should visit the Honors College website at honorscollege.uark.edu and click on Apply. There they can review admission requirements and the honors program requirements in their college. Honors-eligible new freshmen should fill out the Honors College Application, available online. To register for honors classes in their first semester, they should apply before attending freshman orientation.
New transfer students and current students should contact the honors program director or assistant director in their college to determine eligibility and, for some programs, which form of honors (four-year or departmental) would best meet their needs. Then they should fill out the Honors College Application form. The list of honors program directors and both honors application forms are available online at honorscollege.uark.edu.
The chart below contains basic requirements for each of the honors programs. For detailed information, see the individual honors program sections for each college or school in this catalog. Note that honors admission is based on the highest composite ACT or SAT score, not on superscores. In calculating GPA, extra weight is given only for Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate courses.
| College or School | New Freshmen | Current Students |
|---|---|---|
| Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Scences | Minimum 28 ACT composite or 1310 SAT and 3.75 high school GPA are eligible for automatic admission. Students with a 3.9 high school GPA can submit an essay and academic resume for application review. | 3.5 cumulative University of Arkansas GPA |
| Fay Jones School of Architecture | Minimum 28 ACT composite or 1310 SAT and 3.75 high school GPA are eligible for automatic admission. Students with a 3.9 high school GPA can submit an essay and academic resume for application review. | 3.5 cumulative University of Arkansas GPA |
| Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences | Minimum 28 ACT composite or 1310 SAT and 3.75 high school GPA are eligible for automatic admission. Students with a 3.9 high school GPA can submit an essay and academic resume for application review. | 3.5 cumulative University of Arkansas GPA |
| Walton College of Business | Minimum 28 ACT composite or 1310 SAT and 3.75 high school GPA are eligible for automatic admission. Students with a 3.9 high school GPA can submit an essay and academic resume for application review. | 3.75 cumulative University of Arkansas GPA |
| College of Education and Health Professions | Minimum 28 ACT composite or 1310 SAT and 3.75 high school GPA are eligible for automatic admission. Students with a 3.9 high school GPA can submit an essay and academic resume for application review. | 3.5 cumulative University of Arkansas GPA |
| College of Engineering | Minimum 28 ACT composite or 1310 SAT and 3.75 high school GPA are eligible for automatic admission. Students with a 3.9 high school GPA can submit an essay and academic resume for application review. | 3.5 cumulative University of Arkansas GPA |
Fellowships and Scholarships
The Honors College administers the most prestigious new freshman awards at the University of Arkansas. The Bodenhamer, Sturgis and Honors College Fellowships provide from $80,000 in support over a four-year period, are highly competitive and require an in-depth application process and interview. For more details, visit the Honors College website at honorscollege.uark.edu and click on Future Students.
The Academic Scholarship Office awards scholarships to a variety of students. Students do not have to be in the Honors College to receive these scholarships. For additional information, visit the Academic Scholarship Office website at scholarships.uark.edu and see the chapter on Financial Aid and Scholarships in this catalog.
Student Organizations
All honors students are eligible to apply for the Honors College Ambassadors program. This group supports the honors community by participating in campus recruiting events and meeting with prospective students. The Honors College Student Advisory Council offers a select group of student leaders an opportunity to make a real impact on the Honors College.
College Academic Regulations
The college or school of major sets specific requirements for graduating with honors including a minimum of 12 honors credit hours and the completion of an undergraduate thesis. A combination of honors credit hours, thesis quality, and GPA requirements lead to Latin designation of cum laude, magna cum laude or summa cum laude.
Courses
HNRS 102HV. Honors College Introduction to Research. 1-6 Hour.
The Honors College Introduction to Research functions as part of a bridge program between secondary education and the university. The main purpose is to introduce students to the full range of research activities available at an R-1 institution and to do so under the guidance of both STEM and non-STEM honors faculty members. Prerequisite: Departmental consent. Pre- or Corequisite: Honors standing or membership in the Honors College Path Program. (Typically offered: Irregular) May be repeated for up to 6 hours of degree credit.
HNRS 141HV. Honors College Special Problems. 1-3 Hour.
Honors College Special Problems offers independent study of topics related to contemporary issues or on a fresh approach to disciplinary theories. Special projects are designated by first- and second-year students in collaboration with faculty. This course may include a domestic travel component. Topics vary by semester. May be repeated for 3 credit hours. Pre- or Corequisite: Honors Standing. (Typically offered: Irregular) May be repeated for up to 3 hours of degree credit.
HNRS 152HV. Honors College Special Topics. 1-3 Hour.
Honors College Special Topics center on an introductory exploration of issues of contemporary interest or on a fresh approach to a well-established area of study. In either case, these courses are marked by their interdisciplinary approach, discussion format, and students delivering one or more academic products showing both their understanding of the topic and of interdisciplinary approaches. This course may include domestic travel components. Topics vary by semester. May be repeated for up to 3 credit hours. Pre- or Corequisite: Honors standing. (Typically offered: Irregular) May be repeated for up to 3 hours of degree credit.
HNRS 204HV. Honors International Research Internship Foundations. 1-6 Hour.
The Honors College International Research Internship Foundations hours are intended for undergraduates who undertake an international research internship, usually with funding from the Honors College. An on-campus faculty mentor will supervise the preparatory work in advance of the time spent abroad. Pre- or Corequisite: Honors standing. Prerequisite: Departmental consent. (Typically offered: Irregular) May be repeated for degree credit.
HNRS 205HV. Honors Domestic Internship Foundations. 1-6 Hour.
The Honors College Domestic Internship Foundations hours are intended for undergraduates who undertake a domestic internship, usually with funding from the Honors College. An on-campus faculty mentor will approve any needed preparatory work in advance of the internship. Prerequisite: Departmental consent. Pre- or Corequisite: Honors standing. (Typically offered: Irregular) May be repeated for degree credit.
HNRS 300H1. Honors College Forum. 1 Hour.
The Honors College Forum centers on contemporary issues sparking intense national and international media scrutiny. Faculty experts partner with honors students in a seminar-style, discussion format. Topics vary by semester. Pre- or Corequisite: Honors standing. (Typically offered: Fall and Spring) May be repeated for degree credit.
HNRS 301H1. Honors College Retro Readings. 1 Hour.
Honors College Retro Readings centers on classic authors read through a contemporary lens. Faculty experts partner with honors students from all undergraduate colleges in a seminar-style discussion format. Topics vary by semester. Pre- or Corequisite: Honors standing. (Typically offered: Fall and Spring) May be repeated for degree credit.
HNRS 341HV. Honors College Advanced Special Problems. 1-6 Hour.
Honors College Special Problems offers independent study of topics related to contemporary issues or on a fresh approach to disciplinary theories for third-year students and above. Special projects are designated by students in collaboration with faculty. This course may include a domestic travel component. Topics vary by semester. May be repeated for up to 6 credit hours. Pre- or Corequisite: Honors standing. (Typically offered: Irregular) May be repeated for up to 6 hours of degree credit.
HNRS 350H1. Honors Trajectory Exploration. 1 Hour.
Introduces students to areas of professional life with a special emphasis on emerging and competitive fields or areas of competency. Courses mix theoretical bases of an area with cutting-edge application by practitioners. Prerequisite: Departmental consent. Pre- or corequisite: Honors standing. (Typically offered: Fall and Spring)
HNRS 351HV. Honors College Advanced Special Topics. 1-6 Hour.
Honors College Special Topics center on either issues of contemporary interest or on a fresh approach to a well-established area of study. In either case, these courses are marked by their interdisciplinary approach, discussion format, and students delivering one or more academic products showing both their understanding of the topic and of interdisciplinary approaches. This course may include domestic travel components. Topics vary by semester. May be repeated for up to 6 credit hours. Pre- or corequisite: Honors standing. (Typically offered: Irregular) May be repeated for up to 6 hours of degree credit.
HNRS 380H1. Honors College Catapult. 1 Hour.
This course is designed to place ambitious, high-achieving students on a trajectory toward nationally competitive awards and/or graduate and professional programs of study. Students in the course will prepare their academic resume, construct a personal statement, and answer essay prompts as each component may relate to nationally competitive awards and graduate or professional school admission. Additional topics include studying for advanced tests such as the Graduate Record Exam (GRE), building a graduate or professional school timeline, and preparing for interviews. Learning outcomes will be achieved through active engagement in writing and compilation exercises, research, and discussion. Prerequisite: Honors standing. (Typically offered: Spring)
HNRS 390H1. Honors Med School. 1 Hour.
Introduces students to the process of applying to medical school while dispelling several common myths about the practice of medicine. Seminar participants also explore pressing issues facing doctors these days, including the opioid crisis, the increasing elderly population, and the rise of corporate healthcare. Prerequisite: Departmental consent. Pre- or Corequisite: Honors standing. (Typically offered: Spring)
HNRS 391H1. Honors Law School. 1 Hour.
Introduces students to the process of applying to law school while dispelling several common myths about the practice of law. Seminar participants also explore pressing issues facing lawyers and the variety of careers open to them, including criminal and civil and governmental and public interest practice. Prerequisite: Departmental consent. Pre- or corequisite: Honors standing. (Typically offered: Spring)
HNRS 401H3. Honors College Signature Seminar. 3 Hours.
The Honors College Signature Seminar Series features leading scholars who will offer courses bridging multiple colleges and having broad appeal. These signature seminars will develop from the current research of the faculty who offer them, thereby inviting honors students into their scholarly world at a very high level. The goal of the signature seminar series is to spark undergraduate research projects and to stimulate career trajectories, including nationally competitive fellowships and/or admittance to graduate and professional programs. Topics vary by semester. Eligible students must be in good standing in the Honors College. Pre- or Corequisite: Honors standing. Prerequisite: Departmental consent. (Typically offered: Fall and Spring) May be repeated for up to 6 hours of degree credit.
HNRS 402HV. Honors College Research. 1-6 Hour.
The Honors College Research hours are intended for undergraduates who have already begun their research on campus and might include domestic travel for a significant period of time to enhance and extend this research. An on-campus faculty mentor and a research mentor on-site are required. May be repeated for up to 6 hours of degree credit. Prerequisite: Departmental consent. Pre- or Corequisite: Honors standing. (Typically offered: Irregular) May be repeated for up to 6 hours of degree credit.
HNRS 403HV. Honors College International Research. 1-6 Hour.
The Honors College International Research hours are intended for undergraduates who have already begun their research on campus and will travel abroad for a significant period of time to enhance and extend this research. An on-campus faculty mentor and a research mentor on-site are required. Prerequisite: Departmental consent. Pre or corequisite: Honors standing. (Typically offered: Irregular)
HNRS 404HV. Honors International Research Internship. 1-6 Hour.
The Honors College International Research Internships are intended for upper-level undergraduates who undertake an international research internship, usually with funding from the Honors College. An on-campus faculty mentor and a research mentor on-site are required. Prerequisite: Departmental consent. Pre- or corequisite: Honors standing. (Typically offered: Irregular) May be repeated for degree credit.
HNRS 405HV. Honors Domestic Internship. 1-6 Hour.
The Honors College Domestic Internship hours are intended for upper-level undergraduates who undertake a domestic internship, usually with funding from the Honors College. An on-campus faculty mentor will approve any needed preparatory work in advance of the internship. (Typically offered: Irregular) May be repeated for degree credit.