University of Arkansas Honors College: A Transformative Learning Experience

The Honors College at the University of Arkansas offers a unique and enriching academic environment for high-achieving students. It fosters intellectual curiosity, leadership skills, and a commitment to making a difference in the world. By connecting motivated students with top faculty, the Honors College provides transformative learning experiences that prepare graduates for success in a wide range of fields.

Mission and Goals

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.

A key goal of the Honors College is to cultivate creative and critical thinking skills. The college encourages students to explore complex issues from multiple perspectives, fostering a deeper understanding of the world and their place in it.

Curriculum and Courses

The Honors College curriculum is designed to be both challenging and rewarding. It emphasizes interdisciplinary learning, small class sizes, and close interaction with faculty. Honors courses are 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. 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.

Seminar-Style 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. These courses provide a forum for in-depth discussion and exploration of complex issues. Faculty experts partner with honors students in a seminar-style, discussion format.

Retro Readings

Retro Readings courses revisit classic texts and concepts, from the Bible and Quran to Dante’s Divine Comedy. These courses encourage students to engage with foundational works and consider their relevance to contemporary society. 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.

Special Courses

HNRS 102HV. Honors College Introduction to Research: 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.
HNRS 141HV. Honors College Special Problems: 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.
HNRS 152HV. Honors College Special Topics: 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.
HNRS 204HV. Honors International Research Internship Foundations: 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.
HNRS 205HV. Honors Domestic Internship Foundations: 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.
HNRS 300H1. Honors College Forum: The Honors College Forum centers on contemporary issues sparking intense national and international media scrutiny.
HNRS 341HV. Honors College Advanced Special Problems: 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.
HNRS 350H1. Honors Trajectory Exploration: 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.
HNRS 351HV. Honors College Advanced Special Topics: Honors College Special Topics center on either issues of contemporary interest or on a fresh approach to a well-established area of study.
HNRS 380H1. Honors College Catapult: 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.
HNRS 390H1. Honors Med School: Introduces students to the process of applying to medical school while dispelling several common myths about the practice of medicine.
HNRS 391H1. Honors Law School: Introduces students to the process of applying to law school while dispelling several common myths about the practice of law.
HNRS 401H3. Honors College Signature Seminar: The Honors College Signature Seminar Series features leading scholars who will offer courses bridging multiple colleges and having broad appeal.
HNRS 402HV. Honors College Research: 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.
HNRS 403HV. Honors College International Research: 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.
HNRS 404HV. Honors International Research Internship: 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.
HNRS 405HV. Honors Domestic Internship: The Honors College Domestic Internship hours are intended for upper-level undergraduates who undertake a domestic internship, usually with funding from the Honors College.

Facilities and Resources

The Honors College provides its students with access to state-of-the-art facilities and resources designed to support their academic and personal growth.

Gearhart Hall

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.

Hotz Honors Hall

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.

Study Abroad and Research 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.

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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).

Honors Programs by College

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.

Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

New Freshmen Admission Requirements: 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.
Current Students Admission Requirements: 3.5 cumulative University of Arkansas GPA

Fay Jones School of Architecture

New Freshmen Admission Requirements: 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.
Current Students Admission Requirements: 3.5 cumulative University of Arkansas GPA

Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences

New Freshmen Admission Requirements: 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.
Current Students Admission Requirements: 3.5 cumulative University of Arkansas GPA

Walton College of Business

New Freshmen Admission Requirements: 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.
Current Students Admission Requirements: 3.75 cumulative University of Arkansas GPA

College of Education and Health Professions

New Freshmen Admission Requirements: 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.
Current Students Admission Requirements: 3.5 cumulative University of Arkansas GPA

College of Engineering

New Freshmen Admission Requirements: 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.
Current Students Admission Requirements: The Honors College administers the most prestigious new freshman awards at the University of Arkansas.

Admission and Application

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. 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.

Scholarships and Awards

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. 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. 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.

Path Program

In 2014, the Honors College established the Path Program, which recruits, mentors and provides scholarship funding for exceptional students from underrepresented populations. The Path Program has received nearly $2 million in grants to fund scholarships from the National Science Foundation, as well as generous support from private donors.

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Honors and Recognition

Honors students at the University of Arkansas Honors College have received numerous honors, scholarships, fellowships, and accolades since the college was established. From 10 to 15% of Arkansas undergraduates participate in the Honors College at the University of Arkansas.

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