Honors College

The University of Alabama Honors College seeks to enhance the undergraduate experience of all Honors students with training, both practical and theoretical, in critical and creative thinking, ethical and empathetic citizenship, and collaborative and inclusive leadership. The Honors College provides students with an enhanced academic curriculum and leadership opportunities while promoting engagement with peers and faculty members. One of the highest priorities of the Honors College is to empower students to reach the peak of their potential as thinkers, citizens, and leaders. Honors College students are known for leadership on campus and in the community, innovative thinking, creation of new programs and initiatives, and success in winning awards and scholarships at the University, national, and international levels.

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 Requirement2
Honors Year One: Honors Connections
Honors Year One: Honors Engagement
Required Honors Course3
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 Electives6
Select at least one 200 level UH course in addition to UH 200 or UH 205
Select at least one 300 level UH course
Elective Courses 4
Select from all UH courses or from departmental Honors courses
Honors Capstone Experience3
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
Select at least one 200 or 300 level UH course in addition to UH 200 or UH 205
Accelerated Master's Program CoursesVaries
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 UHP, all students are required to earn at least 18 hours of Honors credit and graduate with 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

Randall Research Scholars Program

The 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, all students are required to 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.

University Fellows Experience 

The University Fellows Experience 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, all students are required to 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 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

RRS
101
C, UH
Hours
4
Randall Research Scholars Freshman Seminar 1

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.

Computer Science, University Honors
UH
100
UH
Hours
2
Honors Year One: Honors Connections

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.

University Honors

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Faculty

Dean
  • Dr. Tiffany Sippial
Associate Deans
  • Dr. Ross Bryan
  • Dr. Cassander Smith
Founding Dean Emeritus
  • Dr. Robert Halli
Associate Professors
  • Dr. Ross Bryan
  • Dr. Bradley Tuggle
Assistant Professors
  • Rob Alley
  • Dr. Megan Bailey
  • Dr. Thomas Herwig
  • Dr. Anne Franklin Lamar
  • Dr. John Latta
  • Alan Lazer
  • Dr. Tara Mock
  • Dr. Kathryn O’Harra
  • Dr. Tyler Sasser
  • Dr. Darren Surman
Professor and President Emeritus
  • Dr. Robert Witt
Faculty Directors
  • Dr. Jeff Gray - Director of Randall Research Scholars Program
  • Dr. Anne Franklin Lamar - Director of Honors Year One
  • Dr. John Latta - Director of International Honors Education
  • Dr. Carmen Mayer - Director of External Scholarships and Fellowships
  • Dr. Dana Patton - Director of University Fellows Experience
  • Dr. Bradley Tuggle - Director of University Honors Program
Staff
  • Jessica Aguilar
  • Jane Batson
  • David Bolus
  • Brandon Chalmers
  • Taylor Clark
  • Quincy Hall
  • Kati Hardemon
  • Vicki Holt
  • Cory Jones
  • Brooke McCorkle
  • Nancy Norwood
  • Neely Portera
  • Shannon Roulaine
  • Claire Stebbins
  • Valerie Tisdale
  • Brandon Wingler
Artist-In-Residence
  • Chip Cooper