Honors Program

The interdisciplinary Honors Program allows students to go beyond the classroom and regular course work to study one-on-one with faculty through enrichment tutorials, Honors Abroad, internships, research and classroom-to-community outreach. Led by a distinguished faculty, students are challenged to aim higher and go farther in their lives, communities and careers.

“Challenging Mindsets” is the theme around which the Honors Program is centered. Each year, a variation on the theme is explored through an array of special courses, films and guest speakers. Sample course topics include: “Roots and Contexts of Ideas,” “Revolutions,” “Conflicting Perspectives: Learning through the Clash of Ideas,” and “The Cutting Edge.”

Honors program students thrive in a close-knit atmosphere among the most inquisitive, intellectually spirited and enterprising students. They enjoy specialized classes on stimulating topics, produce an Honors Literary Journal (Respondez!), attend symposia and participate in the Harvard Model United Nations program and the College Bowl academic competition. Click here for the Honors Program Newsletter, which describes current courses, activities and seminars.

Honors students also compete for opportunities to study at Oxford University in England, semester-long internships in Washington, D.C., and paid undergraduate research fellowships at UT. Other benefits include access to a specially-equipped Honors lounge and an option to live on an Honors floor in University residence halls.

Honors Program Admission

Students are automatically considered for the Honors Program when they apply to the University. No separate application is required. Admission requirements for the Honors Program are as follows:

Freshmen: 3.5 GPA or 1200 SAT (27 ACT), minimum cumulative GPA must be 3.4, SAT must be 1150 (25 ACT). Writing test scores are not included in SAT or ACT test score requirements and will not be considered for Honors Program admission.

Transfers: 3.5 GPA or very strong recommendation from a community college’s honors program director

Evening College: Same requirements as for day Honors Program students. Scheduling should be discussed with Honors Program Director.

Program Course Requirements

All Honors students participate in Excellence in Leadership and Service (EXCELS) – a one-credit Honors-section Gateways course that develops leadership skills through community involvement. Each student participates in a “service learning project” based on career interests. Past projects have included tutoring elementary children, creating a “buddies” program with the developmentally disabled, and developing a plan for campus energy conservation.

Entering Freshmen:

Honors Gateways course (EXCELS)

Two other Honors courses during freshman and sophomore years

Three courses from among the following during junior and senior years:

• Regular Honors classes
• Junior/Senior seminars
• Honors independent study
• Honors enrichment tutorials
• Honors thesis
• Honors abroad seminars
• Washington seminars and internships
• Oxford tutorials

Entering Sophomores:

• Two Honors classes during sophomore year
• Three courses from the list above during junior and senior years

Entering Juniors:

• One regular Honors class during junior year
• Two courses from the list above during junior and senior years