The University Honors College offers customized pathways of coursework and experiential learning designed to meet students’ unique academic goals. Because being an honors student is about a lot more than success in classes and a strong GPA, honors students choose a track in community engagement, global and multicultural studies, leadership, or research and creative activity. Our highly motivated associate and bachelor degree students enhance their education in a way that is meaningful to them by working with honors faculty to design a program of coursework, extracurricular activities, and immersion projects that enriches their college experience. Honors College graduates are deep thinkers, collaborative learners, and passionate individuals with advanced skills and experiences in their chosen fields of study, which will distinguish them from their peers when they enter the job market or seek postgraduate education.
Admission Requirements
Admission to the University Honors College is open to associate or baccalaureate degree-seeking students. Admission is separate from and in addition to general UAA admission requirements. Students must declare an intention by submitting an application to the University Honors College. In general, students applying to the University Honors College from high school or transferring into the program with previous college-level work should have a minimum GPA of 3.00. However, the initial GPA entrance requirement should be interpreted as a general guideline, and not as an absolute criterion; all students who believe that they can succeed and benefit in an honors program are encouraged to apply. Students admitted to the University Honors College can change levels or tracks without reapplying for admission.
Once a student is accepted into the University Honors College, continuous progress toward completion is expected. Students will communicate regularly with track faculty from the Honors Academic Board about their programmatic progress.
Graduation Requirements
- Students must meet all General University Requirements, General Education Requirements (GERs), school/college requirements, and major requirements as printed in the UAA Catalog.
- Students must earn a minimum GPA of 3.50 in their honors and major courses or earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.50.
- Students must complete the requirements for their university honors level designation (i.e., University Honors Associate or University Honors Scholar) as approved on their honors track plan.
Honors Levels and Requirements
University Honors Associate
Honors Associate is available to qualified students enrolled in UAA's associate programs.
- Students must earn a total of 12 honors units
- At least 6 of which must be academic credits within their honors track plan
- At least 3 of which must be experiential units in their honors track plan
- Students must complete an honors ePortfolio about their honors experience
University Honors Scholar
Honors Scholar is available to qualified students enrolled in UAA's baccalaureate programs.
- Students must earn a total of 24 honors units
- At least 9 of which must be academic credits in their honors track plan
- At least 6 of which must be experiential units in their honors track plan
- Students must complete an honors ePortfolio about their honors experience
Honors Tracks
Honors students select from one of the four following tracks in which to focus their Honors experience:
Community Engagement Track
The honors community engagement track prepares students to be engaged community members. Students will acquire the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to participate in civic life through the provision of service and assistance to their communities.
Those who successfully complete the community engagement track will:
- Demonstrate the skills, disposition, and knowledge necessary to engage with community issues through an informed, participatory lens.
Global and Multicultural Studies Track
The global and multicultural studies track prepares students for a career in public and professional service and community development, as well as fosters a lifelong commitment to be an engaged and responsible citizen mindful of the local, national, and global impact of the personal decisions they make.
Those who successfully complete the global and multicultural studies track will:
- Reflect and act upon global interdependencies between self, others, and community.
Leadership Track
Students who complete the leadership track will develop the knowledge, skills, and disposition required to function as a leader in any field. Participants in the leadership track will undertake a diverse course of studies and experiences designated within the track.
Those who successfully complete the leadership track will:
- Demonstrate the ability to develop and execute a vision that involves others to work collaboratively towards a shared goal.
Research and Creative Activity Track
The honors in research and creative activity track provides a pathway for students to demonstrate knowledge, skills, and confidence in conducting research or creative activity appropriate to their chosen discipline. Through participation in the track, students develop their skills under the guidance of one or more faculty mentors.
Those who successfully complete the research and creative activity track will:
- Demonstrate the ability to work through a research or creative process, which may include: conception or question formulation; background research; proposal; methodology; craft strategies; implementation; analysis; reflection; revision; exhibition/presentation/performance; and dissemination.