Honors College Programs
University Honors Program
The largest program in the Honors College is the University Honors Program (UHP). This program allows students to graduate with Honors via one of two pathways: University Honors or Accelerated Master's Program (AMP).
All incoming UHP freshmen are required to take an Honors Year One course in their first academic year. Either UH 100, offered in fall term only, or UH 110, offered in the spring or summer terms, will satisfy the Honors Year One requirement. (Transfer students and current students admitted to the Honors College after the completion of at least two semesters of coursework at UA are not required to complete the Honors Year One course.)
Further details of the UHP curriculum for each of the two pathways are listed below. All UHP students are required to complete:
| University Honors Program | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Honors Year One Requirement | 2 | |
UH 100 or | Honors Year One: Honors Connections | |
| Honors Year One: Honors Engagement | ||
| Required Honors Course | 3 | |
UH 200 or | Life as a Scholar | |
| Social Foundations of Community Engagement | ||
| Select One Option | ||
| University Honors Option, Accelerated Master's Program Option | ||
| Option I: University Honors | ||
| Restricted Electives | 6 | |
Select at least one 300 level UH course | ||
| Elective Courses | 4 | |
Select from all UH courses or from departmental Honors courses | ||
| Honors Capstone Experience | 3 | |
The Honors Capstone Experience is designed to be the culmination of an Honors student experience in the University Honors Program. It may be taken within the Honors College or through the student's major department or other academic unit. Regardless, it must be designed to allow each student the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities. Prerequisites: At least one 300 level UH course and senior standing | ||
| Option II: Accelerated Master's Program | ||
| Restricted Electives | 3 | |
| Accelerated Master's Program Courses | Varies | |
Note: If an AMP program requires less than 10 credit hours, the balance of hours must be completed with any UH, departmental Honors, or graduate-level course(s) | ||
No more than three hours of pass/fail courses can be counted towards the Honors College requirements.
Honors College courses that fulfill the HYO requirement include:
-
UH 100 Honors Year One: Honors Connections : All Honors Connection courses are two credit hours and standard letter grade.
-
UH 110 Honors Year One: Honors Engagement : All Honors Engagement courses are two credit hours and standard letter grade.
Students must receive a grade of "C" or better in UH 100 or UH 110 in order for the course to fulfill the HYO requirement.
Admission Requirements
Future Students may apply to the UHP after they have been admitted to The University of Alabama (UA). The requirements for admission to the UHP are a 30 ACT/1360 SAT and a 3.5 high school GPA or higher. Because of our commitment to meeting the needs of students from within the state, Alabama high school graduates have another path to admission if they are within the top 5% of their class and have at least a 28 ACT/1310 SAT or higher and a 3.5 or higher GPA. Although there is no formal deadline to apply to the UHP, incoming freshmen should apply as soon as possible to facilitate registration for Honors housing. All eligible students who apply after the registration deadline for a semester will be admitted for the next semester.
Current UA Students admitted as full-time undergraduates with at least 12 UA hours and a minimum 3.5 UA GPA and Incoming Transfer Students with at least 12 overall hours and a minimum 3.5 overall GPA will be accepted to the UHP upon submission of their applications. All current UA students admitted to the UHP are strongly encouraged to meet with an Honors College academic advisor before registering for Honors courses (348-5500).
Retention Requirements
The UHP retention policy considers a student's UA GPA and the rate of UHP course completion. In order to remain in good standing in UHP, students must maintain a 3.5 UA GPA, and complete UHP coursework at a certain rate, including Honors Year One in the first year. UHP will review each student's UA GPA at the conclusion of each academic year.
Students who fail to meet the UA GPA or any additional requirements will be placed on probation. If at the end of the probation year the student has not shown significant progress, they will be suspended from UHP. Failure to complete an HYO course in the first two semesters will result in automatic suspension from UHP. Students who are suspended will receive an email to their Crimson email address.
Graduation Requirements
To complete the requirements of the University Honors Program, UHP students are required to complete the UHP curriculum and earn a UA GPA of at least 3.5. Students must apply for graduation with the Honors College in addition to their official UA graduation application in order to have Honors designations displayed on their transcript and official graduation documents. The Honors College graduation application is available to students at no additional cost.
For more information regarding admission, retention, and graduation, visit honors.ua.edu
Achieve Scholars Program
The Achieve Scholars Program (ASP) is a unique opportunity for undergraduate students to acquire an education in transdisciplinary research methodology. Students will learn how to apply such methods and become more effective scholars within their major field of study; become proficient in the skills of uniting all fields of study which will help them to become creative thinkers and problem solvers; and also gain the skills that are necessary for successful graduate studies, professional studies and future employment.
All ASP students are required to complete:
| Achieve Scholars Program | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| First Year Requirement | ||
| UH 100 | Honors Year One: Honors Connections | 2 |
| Second Year Requirement | ||
| UH 200 | Life as a Scholar | 3 |
| Third Year Requirement | ||
| UH 302 | The Transdisciplinary Mind: Foundations, Methods & Ethics for the Future | 3 |
| Fourth Year Requirement | ||
| UH 401 | Senior Capstone: Signature Work | 3 |
| Elective Courses | ||
| Select from all 200-level or 300-level UH or departmental Honors courses | 7 | |
| Total Hours | 18 | |
Admission Requirements
The Achieve Scholars Program is open to all students by application. The ASP seeks to provide opportunities to and support for its program participants, including those participants from under-resourced communities. Applicants to the ASP must also be admitted into the Honors College.
Graduation Requirements
To complete the requirements of the Achieve Scholars Program, Achieve Scholars are required to complete the ASP curriculum and earn a UA GPA of at least 3.5. Students must apply for graduation with the Honors College in addition to their official UA graduation application in order to have Honors designations displayed on their transcript and official graduation documents. The Honors College graduation application is available to students at no additional cost.
For more information regarding admission, retention, and graduation, visit honors.ua.edu
The Catherine J. Randall Research Scholars Program
The Catherine J. Randall Research Scholars Program is an Honors College program and all information regarding admission, academics, retention, and graduation can be found here.
Honors College Graduation Requirements
To complete the requirements of the Honors College, RRSP students are required to complete the Randall Research Scholars Minor curriculum and earn a UA GPA of at least 3.5. Students must apply for graduation with the Honors College in addition to their official UA graduation application in order to have Honors designations displayed on their transcript and official graduation documents. The Honors College graduation application is available to students at no additional cost.
The Dr. Robert E. Witt University Fellows Program
The Dr. Robert E. Witt University Fellows Program is an Honors College program and all information regarding admission, academics, retention, and graduation can be found here.
Honors College Graduation Requirements
To complete the requirements of the Honors College, Witt Fellows are required to complete the Social Innovation and Leadership Minor curriculum and earn a UA GPA of at least 3.5. Students must apply for graduation with the Honors College in addition to their official UA graduation application in order to have Honors designations displayed on their transcript and official graduation documents. The Honors College graduation application is available to students at no additional cost.
Honors College Partner Programs
Honors College Graduation Requirements
To complete the requirements of the Honors College, all students are required to complete the curriculum of an approved Honors College or partner program and earn a UA GPA of at least 3.5. Students must apply for graduation with the Honors College in addition to their official UA graduation application in order to have Honors designations displayed on their transcript and official graduation documents. The Honors College graduation application is available to students at no additional cost.
Blount Scholars Program
The Blount Scholars Program is a College of Arts & Sciences program and all information regarding admission, academics, retention, and graduation can be found here.
McCollough Scholars Program
The McCollough Scholars Program is a College of Arts & Sciences program and all information regarding admission, academics, retention, and graduation can be found here.
CREATE Path to the MBA
The CREATE Path to the MBA is a Culverhouse College of Business program and all information regarding admission, academics, retention, and graduation can be found here.
STEM Path to the MBA
The STEM Path to the MBA is a Culverhouse College of Business program and all information regarding admission, academics, retention, and graduation can be found here.
EPIC Scholars Program
The EPIC Scholars Program is a College of Engineering program and all information regarding admission, academics, retention, and graduation can be found here.
Educational Studies Minor
The Educational Studies Minor is a College of Education program and all information regarding admission, academics, retention, and graduation can be found here.
Taken by first-year students in the Randall Research Scholars Program, this course provides an accelerated introduction that uses algorithmic thinking to develop computational artifacts. Open only to students admitted to the Randall Research Scholars Program. Computing proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course.
Honors Connections introduces first-year students to the UA Honors College experience. The aim of this course is to aid each student in finding and interrogating their place within the Honors College, the University of Alabama and the greater community. Students will learn and practice the key concepts of engaged scholarship, including critical and creative thinking, ethical and empathic dialogue, and collaborative and inclusive leadership. Students will gain a practical understanding of the Honors College and their role within it, while also building relationships that foster continued participation in the kinship of scholars.