Navigating the University of Georgia Honors Program: A Comprehensive Guide

The University of Georgia (UGA) offers a distinguished Honors Program through the John E. Sallstrom Honors College and the Morehead Honors College. These programs provide exceptional students with enriched academic experiences, fostering intellectual curiosity, leadership, and service. This article delves into the requirements, application processes, and expectations for students interested in joining and succeeding within the UGA Honors Program.

Admission to the Honors Program

First-Year Students

The Honors Selection Committee meticulously reviews applications for the John E. Sallstrom Honors College, employing a holistic approach. The committee considers academic achievement and potential, writing skills, evidence of intellectual curiosity, record of leadership and service, and special talents (e.g. artistic).

For domestic applicants, the high school academic core GPA of incoming first-year students has averaged around 3.80 as calculated by the Office of Admissions, the SAT superscore has averaged around 1300, and the average ACT superscore around 29. For international applicants, the high school academic core GPA of incoming first-year students has averaged around 3.80 as calculated by the Office of Admissions. The preferred minimum TOEFL score is 88.

Application Deadlines and Review Process

Applications are reviewed on a monthly basis, starting in October and ending in February.

October 15: Decision by late November
November 15: Decision by late December
December 15: Decision by late January
January 15: Decision by late February
February 15: Decision by late March
March 15: Decision by late April (for fall 2026)

It is important to note that for fall 2026, the deadline to submit an application for the Honors College has been extended to March 15.

Special Considerations

President’s Scholarship Competition attendees and students applying during the Early Action cycle with a high school academic core GPA of 4.0 (as calculated by the Office of Admissions) and 1330+ SAT or 30+ ACT will be considered for the Honors College without having to submit a separate Honors application.
Students admitted to the Honors College must submit their Georgia College confirmation deposit to secure their spot in the Honors College. For fall 2026, 160 slots are available. Students who deposit after all 160 slots have been filled will be placed on a wait list.
Bell Hall, the residence hall where incoming Honors students are encouraged to reside, tends to fill up by mid-March.

Transfer Students

Transfer students with a collegiate GPA of 3.50 or above are welcome to apply to the Honors College. Students transferring with fewer than 30 credit hours must also meet Georgia College’s high school graduation criteria.

Collegiate Entry for Currently Enrolled Students

Currently enrolled students with an institutional GPA of 3.50 or above may also apply to the Honors College at the end of their first semester on campus. As with all applicants, collegiate entry student applications are reviewed holistically. The committee considers academic achievement and potential, writing skills, evidence of intellectual curiosity, record of leadership and service, and special talents (e.g. artistic). Collegiate entry applicants should electronically submit a statement (500-600 words) explaining, in specific terms, how two-to-three aspects of the Honors College might help you to achieve your long-term goals.

First-Semester Entry into Morehead Honors College

Current first-year UGA students in their first semester at the university may apply for acceptance into the Morehead Honors College. The first-semester entry application process is the only opportunity that current UGA students have to apply for Honors acceptance.

Eligibility Requirements

You must meet the requirements below during your first semester to be eligible to apply:

You are eligible to apply during your first semester at UGA as a first-year student.
You must be enrolled in at least 14 hours of graded A-F courses in your first semester at UGA.
You are required to have a cumulative UGA GPA of at least 3.8.

Entry into the Morehead Honors College is competitive. The fulfillment of the requirements listed above does not constitute automatic admission into the Morehead Honors College. Credit hours earned through Advanced Placement, summer classes, or joint / dual enrollment courses will not be counted toward the 14-hour minimum credit hour requirement. However, grades earned through summer classes or joint / dual enrollment courses taken at UGA will be counted toward the minimum GPA requirement. In all cases, you will not know your exact cumulative University of Georgia GPA before the application deadline. However, you must submit your application by the deadline to be considered.

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Graduation with Honors

By completing minimum coursework and meeting minimum grade point average requirements, you can earn one of three Honors undergraduate graduation distinctions. Graduation with Honors is the basic distinction. Students with higher grade point averages may complete additional capstone coursework for a higher distinction. To receive a Morehead Honors College distinction on your diploma (Honors, High Honors, Highest Honors), you must be graduating with a baccalaureate degree. If you are graduating with a professional degree (e.g., PharmD/DVM), you are not eligible to have a Morehead Honors College distinction on your diploma, but you will receive a certificate recognizing your participation.

Honors Exit Review Graduation Application

To be considered for a graduation distinction from the Morehead Honors College, you must submit an application by selecting the appropriate distinction (Honors, High Honors, or Highest Honors) on the final step of the Honors Exit Review graduation application on the Honors Student Network. When submitting your Honors Exit Review, make sure that the semester of your graduation is correct and that your course listing is complete prior to saving, or processing will be delayed. Deadlines for submission will be posted to the Honors listserv each semester.

Coursework Requirements for Graduation

If you matriculated to UGA from high school:

You must complete nine Honors courses (in total) to be eligible for graduation with Honors.
Academic courses must each be three-credit or four-credit hours and graded A-F. Three one-credit-hour HONS courses may be used to satisfy one Honors academic course; this is limited to one academic course substitution.
At least three of the nine courses must be upper division (3000 level or higher). These courses can be selected from Honors sections, Honors Options, CURO-approved directed research/thesis, Honors-approved internship, or graduate-level courses (6000 level or higher).

If you matriculated to UGA as a transfer student:

If you were accepted into the Morehead Honors College as a transfer student, six completed UGA Honors courses (in total) are required to be eligible for graduation with Honors. You must complete all six Honors courses at UGA. This requirement cannot be met by Honors courses from other institutions.
Academic courses must each be three-credit or four-credit hours and graded A-F. Three one-credit-hour HONS courses may be used to satisfy one Honors academic course; this is limited to one academic course substitution.
At least two of the six courses must be upper division (3000 level or higher).

Maintaining Good Standing in the Honors Program

In order to remain in good standing in the Morehead Honors College, students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.4 and a minimum Honors GPA of 3.3. Students must also complete Honors courses on a regular basis to show progress toward graduation with Honors.

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Honors Course Credit and GPA Calculation

The following A-F graded courses are included in determining Honors course credit and GPA for good standing:

All courses identified by an “H” suffix
All courses beginning with an “HONS” prefix
Graduate courses at the 6000 level or higher
Approved Honors Option courses
Approved Honors Internship courses
CURO Research and Thesis courses with the “R” suffix
Certain non-Honors courses found in the Honors course list (e.g., PHYS 1211)

All Honors course grades of A-F, regardless of category, are included in your Honors GPA.

Probation

If your cumulative GPA falls below 3.4-but is at least a 3.0-you will be placed on probation in the Morehead Honors College. Students on probation may remain in the Morehead Honors College as long as each semester’s GPA is at least a 3.5. When your cumulative GPA is raised to a 3.4, you will return to good standing. A student on probation whose semester GPA is less than 3.5 will be dropped from the Morehead Honors College and must have a 3.4 cumulative GPA before being eligible to petition for readmission.

Student Honor Code

“I will be academically honest in all of my academic work and will not tolerate academic dishonesty of others.” All students must follow the UGA Student Honor Code, and all students agree to abide by this code by signing the UGA Admissions Application. Academic Honesty provides information on UGA’s policy and procedures. Any sanction imposed for violation of the academic honesty policy is supported by the Morehead Honors College and may result in probation or dismissal from the Morehead Honors College.

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