Honors Program

The UAF Honors Program provides academic engagement and social enrichment opportunities for exceptionally talented, creative and motivated students. It promotes the highest standards of academic, professional and personal achievement and encourages students to think critically and to act and contribute in ways that benefit communities and society. Honors students have access to small classes, scholarships, in-depth approaches to learning and early, mentored research opportunities. They participate in an intellectual and social community of students and professional scholars, and are encouraged to pursue undergraduate intellectual and research interests.

Eligibility

Undergraduate students from all disciplines are eligible for admission and encouraged to apply to the Honors Program. Entering freshmen should have a high school GPA of 3.6 and a composite SAT score of 1,820 or an ACT composite score of 27. Sophomores and transfer students must have a cumulative college GPA of 3.5 and be admitted to a UAF degree program. Students in the Honors Program must be regularly enrolled, full-time undergraduate students.

The application process for admission to the Honors Program is separate and distinct from application for admission to the university. Honors students are encouraged to apply no later than Feb. 15 to be eligible for fall scholarships; however, there is no set date for acceptance. Applications are highly encouraged to be on file by May 1; mid-year applications are considered on a space-available basis.

Program Features

University Honors Scholar distinction is awarded at commencement to students who complete 27 or more credits of honors course work and submit a senior Honors capstone thesis project. Students who enter the program as juniors or as seniors generally qualify for the distinction of Honors Thesis Scholar if they complete 12 credits of honors course work and a senior Honors capstone thesis project.

Honors courses are offered in all disciplines, including courses specifically designed for the Honors Program and special enriched sections of standard university courses. Students in the Honors Program may also arrange individualized study in their majors or contract with an instructor to make a standard course into an Honors course.

In a typical year, the Honors Program offers courses in the sciences, mathematics, English composition, communication, one or more courses from the core Perspectives on the Human Condition, and courses in business, humanities and the social sciences.

For more information contact the Honors Program at the Honors House, located at 520 Copper Lane, 907-474-6612, uaf.honors@alaska.edu or visit www.uaf.edu/honors/.