Honors College
Honors Vision Statement
The Honors College is committed to extending opportunities for achievement in undergraduate education to the best students across the University. The College works toward this goal by promoting a supportive and academically and culturally diverse environment in which students can pursue excellence in research, creative work, community service, and personal and professional development. By creating a center for academic excellence, the Honors College not only fosters the development of the next generation of academic and community leaders, but also advances the University’s broader mission of improving the level of education for all students. In keeping with the broader educational mission, the Honors College houses Interdisciplinary Studies, which is dedicated to promoting experiential, problem-based research and pedagogy for all students in the University.
Honors Affiliations
The UT Arlington Honors College is a member of the National Collegiate Honors Council and the regional Great Plains Honors Council.
Standards for Admission
The Honors College is dedicated to creating a student body with broad interests, varied talents, and diverse cultural backgrounds. Admission is competitive.
Entering freshman Honors applicants (those with fewer than 30 college hours) must have either a score of 1270 on the SAT (combined Math and Evidence-Based Reading and Writing) or a score of 27 of the ACT, or have graduated in the top ten percent of their high school class, or have graduated with an unweighted high school GPA of 3.5 on a scale of 4. If none of the above criteria are met, applicants may submit an essay for consideration. All applicants are required to submit a resume. For additional information and application materials, see the Honors College website: https://www.uta.edu/honors/prospective/apply/
Continuing UT Arlington and transfer Honors applicants (those with more than 30 college hours) must have an overall undergraduate GPA of 3.35. If none of the above criteria are met, applicants may submit an essay for consideration. All applicants are required to submit a resume. For additional information and application materials, see the Honors College website: https://www.uta.edu/honors/prospective/apply/
Requirements for Completing an Honors Degree
Honors degrees are granted in the disciplines of the University’s eight undergraduate schools and colleges – Business; Education; Engineering; Liberal Arts; Nursing and Health Innovation; Science; Social Work – as well as programs in CAPPA and Interdisciplinary Studies. To graduate with an Honors degree, a student must be a member of the Honors College in good standing, have an overall GPA of 3.2 or higher, and complete the degree requirements in an academic major.
Honors students will be required to earn 18 Honors Points, plus a Capstone Project to receive an Honors Degree. Points will be earned through a combination of Course Points and Experience Points that are to be determined by each college.
Course Points
Students will enroll in Honors-designated courses or contract existing courses. A point value will be assigned to Courses based on credit hours. Each college will set their own course requirements.
Honors courses satisfy Honors, departmental, college, and University requirements. The Honors College provides departmental advisors with equivalency/substitution information.
Honors students may earn Honors credit for non-Honors courses taught by full-time faculty, subject to the terms of the Honors College Contract. To receive Honors credit, the student must complete regular course requirements with a grade of A or B, as well as an independent Honors assignment as agreed upon by the instructor and the student.
Experience Points
Students may participate in co-curricular Experiences to earn Honors Points. A point value will be assigned to each experience based on duration or rigor of the experience (most will be assigned 1 point). Each college will approve their own list of allowable experiences. Each unique experience may be used only one time.
Honors Capstone Project
In addition to earning the required number of Honors Points, students will complete a Capstone Project to receive an Honors Degree. Each college/department/major will determine which of the following “tracks” their students can select. Although not all students will be required to write a thesis, all students will be required to produce a deliverable. Students will present their Capstone Project at an Honors Symposium in either an oral or poster presentation.
Research
- Traditional Honors thesis; research conducted with a faculty mentor
International
- Project developed through study abroad or service learning abroad
Professional
- Project developed through completing and internship, co-op, or practicum
Creative
- Creation of original creative work/activity; especially for students in the fine arts
College Specific Capstone Project
- Determined by each college
The flexibility of the Honors requirements makes it essential that students maintain close contact with both their departmental mentor and advisor and the Honors advising staff. Students must meet with an Honors advisor during each of their first three years, but are strongly encouraged to meet with the advising staff on a regular basis.
Probation Policy
Honors students whose cumulative GPA falls below 3.2 will be placed on probation. They must meet as soon as possible with an Honors advisor and are required to restore their GPA back to 3.2 or higher in the following semester.
Privileges for Honors Students
Honors College participation provides a number of tangible and intangible benefits to its students:
- Honors Degree designation on diploma and transcript
- Priority course registration
- Small class size
- Courses taught by award-winning faculty
- Honors scholarship opportunities
- Honors study abroad programs and scholarships
- Honors learning community
- Paid undergraduate research fellowship opportunities
- Special privileges with the University libraries
- Access to Honors listserv, Honors College blog, and the electronic Honors newsletter, Veneratio
- Special Honors academic and social everts
- Honors Bridge to Graduate School Fellowship opportunities
- Membership in the Honors College Council
- Use of the Carolyn A. Barros Reading room (library and computer laboratory) and free printing
Honors College Programs and Services
Honors Study Abroad
The Honors College Study Abroad Program offers short-term opportunities for students to acquire new knowledge and understanding of the people, events, movements, ideas, and products of cultures other than their own; to link historical events and developments with those of the twenty-first century; and to understand the contributions of other peoples and regions to American institutions and culture. Rigorous instruction and intensive on-site learning in countries as diverse as Ireland, Scotland, Italy, France, the Czech Republic, Greece, England and Costa Rica are hallmarks of the Honors study abroad experience. Scholarships are available from both the Honors College and the Office of International Studies (Note: the Honors College Study Abroad Program typically involves short-term travel and as such cannot be used for the study abroad option for the Honors Capstone Project, although credit from the program may be used to meet the coursework requirement for the Honors degree.)
AP Summer Institute (APSI)
The Honors College at UT Arlington, in conjunction with the College Board, annually presents the UT Arlington AP Summer Institute. Each year more than 1000 new and experienced middle and high school teachers receive invaluable training from College Board-certified instructors to prepare them to teach AP courses. Courses are offered in Art, English, Science, Language, Mathematics and Social Studies.
Courses
HONR-BU 2303. HONORS SPECIAL TOPICS. 3 Hours.
Topics, format, and prerequisites to be determined by faculty offering the courses. May be repeated for credit as topics change.
HONR-BU 3304. SPECIAL TOPICS. 3 Hours.
Topics, format, and prerequisites to be determined by faculty offering the courses. May be repeated for credit as topics change.
HONR-BU 4303. ADVANCED SPECIAL TOPICS. 3 Hours.
Advanced special topics in Honors. May be repeated for credit as topics change.
HONR-BU 4311. LEADER AS COMMUNICATOR. 3 Hours.
Helps students excel in written and oral communication skills. Assignments include writing short papers, making oral presentations, and learning to critique one another. This course provides a perspective on leadership in formal organizations with emphasis on communication, exercising influence, decision-making, and conflict management. Prerequisite: Admission to the Goolsby Leadership Academy.
HONR-BU 4312. LEADER ETHICS. 3 Hours.
Addresses rule-based, consequential, and virtue ethics by examining intentions, actions, and consequences of individual behavior. The course emphasizes the development of character and personal integrity. Prerequisite: Admission to the Goolsby Leadership Academy or permission of the Goolsby Leadership Academy Director.
HONR-BU 4313. SENIOR EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP. 3 Hours.
Course consists of a series of lectures by executives who provide insight into their own unique leadership skills and development. Prerequisite: Admission to the Goolsby Leadership Academy.
HONR-BU 4314. GLOBAL MARKET PLACE. 3 Hours.
Designed to assist Goolsby Fellows to be competent in an intercultural world. The heart of the course is aimed at appreciating human diversity and variance. Prerequisite: Admission to the Goolsby Leadership Academy or permission of the Goolsby Leadership Academy Director.
HONR-BU 4315. EXECUTIVE INTERNSHIP. 3 Hours.
This internship experience places Goolsby Fellows in field settings with executives from the college's Advisory Council and other executive leaders in specialized areas for students. Prerequisite: Admission to the Goolsby Leadership Academy or permission of the Goolsby Leadership Academy Director.
HONR-BU 4394. HONORS SENIOR RESEARCH THESIS/CREATIVE PROJECT. 3 Hours.
A research thesis or creative project and oral presentation are required for the Honors degree. In consultation with the faculty thesis supervisor and the Honors Dean, a program of research and writing will be arranged. Planning for the Honors Thesis/Creative Project should begin early in the student's junior year. For more extensive projects additional credit may be earned. Full details for completing the Honors Research Thesis/Creative Project are provided on the Honors website, http://www.honors.uta.edu/thesis/. This course is reserved for departments and programs that do not list dedicated thesis courses in their inventories.
Courses
HONR-LA 1301. HONORS COMPOSITION I. 3 Hours.
Introduction to academic writing, with an emphasis research, synthesis of sources, and argumentation.
HONR-LA 1302. HONORS COMPOSITION II. 3 Hours.
A course in academic argumentation in which students learn how to conduct and organize research. The course typically focuses on a particular topic, which will vary by section and be interdisciplinary in nature. Successful completion satisfies the second-semester writing requirement. Prerequisite: membership in the Honors College.
HONR-LA 2300. SEMINAR. 3 Hours.
Team-taught interdisciplinary course that introduces knowledge and perspectives from the arts, sciences, and humanities. Designed around a theme of current or historical significance. Writing-intensive. Depending on topic, may meet the literature, fine arts/humanities or social/cultural studies requirement of the core curriculum (consult departmental advisor for details).
HONR-LA 2303. HONORS SPECIAL TOPICS. 3 Hours.
Topics, format, and prerequisites to be determined by faculty offering the courses. May be repeated for credit as topics change.
HONR-LA 2407. HONORS SPECIAL TOPICS WITH LAB. 4 Hours.
Topics, format, and prerequisites to be determined by faculty offering the courses. May be repeated for credit as topics change. Completion of lab required. Prerequisite: Membership in the Honors College; other requirements as determined by faculty teaching the course.
HONR-LA 3300. LIBERAL ARTS HONORS SEMINAR. 3 Hours.
Intensive small class lecture or seminar course addressing basic issues in various liberal arts disciplines. Topics will vary.
HONR-LA 3303. INDEPENDENT STUDY. 3 Hours.
Independent study topics are arranged on an individual basis. Performance may be assessed by oral or written examination, research or review paper as arranged.
HONR-LA 3304. SPECIAL TOPICS. 3 Hours.
Topics, format, and prerequisites to be determined by faculty offering the courses. May be repeated for credit as topics change.
HONR-LA 3310. POLITICAL & COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP. 3 Hours.
This course examines theories and concepts of leadership in political and community contexts, and processes by which power and authority are exercised to foster political change in one's community. Emphasis is placed on application to actual leadership situations.
HONR-LA 3404. HONORS SPECIAL TOPICS. 4 Hours.
Topics, format, and prerequisites to be determined by faculty offering the courses. May be repeated for credit as topics change.
HONR-LA 3407. HONORS SPECIAL TOPICS WITH LAB. 4 Hours.
Topics, format, and prerequisites to be determined by faculty offering the courses. May be repeated for credit as topics change. Completion of lab required. Prerequisite: Membership in the Honors College; other requirements as determined by faculty teaching the course.
HONR-LA 4303. ADVANCED SPECIAL TOPICS. 3 Hours.
Advanced special topics in Honors. May be repeated for credit as topics change.
HONR-LA 4407. HONORS SPECIAL TOPICS WITH LAB. 4 Hours.
Topics, format, and prerequisites to be determined by faculty offering the courses. May be repeated for credit as topics change. Completion of lab required. Prerequisite: Membership in the Honors College; other requirements as determined by faculty teaching the course.
Courses
HONR-NU 2203. HONORS SPECIAL TOPICS. 2 Hours.
Topics, format, and prerequisites to be determined by faculty offering the courses. May be repeated for credit as topics change.
HONR-NU 3504. HONORS SPECIAL TOPICS. 5 Hours.
Topics, format, and prerequisites to be determined by faculty offering the courses. May be repeated for credit as topics change.
HONR-NU 4203. ADVANCED SPECIAL TOPICS. 2 Hours.
Advanced special topics in Honors. May be repeated for credit as topics change.
HONR-NU 4303. ADVANCED SPECIAL TOPICS. 3 Hours.
Advanced special topics in Honors. May be repeated for credit as topics change.
HONR-NU 4403. HONORS SPECIAL TOPICS. 4 Hours.
Topics, format, and prerequisites to be determined by faculty offering the courses. May be repeated for credit as topics change.
HONR-NU 4503. HONORS SPECIAL TOPICS. 5 Hours.
Topics, format, and prerequisites to be determined by faculty offering the courses. May be repeated for credit as topics change.
Courses
HONR-VP 2103. SPECIAL TOPICS. 1 Hour.
Topics, format, and prerequisites to be determined by faculty offering the courses. May be repeated for credit as topics change.
HONR-VP 2300. SEMINAR. 3 Hours.
Team-taught interdisciplinary course that introduces knowledge and perspectives from the arts, sciences, and humanities. Designed around a theme of current or historical significance. Writing-intensive. Depending on topic, may meet the literature, fine arts/humanities or social/cultural studies requirement of the core curriculum (consult departmental advisor for details).
HONR-VP 2303. HONORS SPECIAL TOPICS. 3 Hours.
Topics, format, and prerequisites to be determined by faculty offering the courses. May be repeated for credit as topics change.
HONR-VP 3304. SPECIAL TOPICS. 3 Hours.
Topics, format, and prerequisites to be determined by faculty offering the courses. May be repeated for credit as topics change.
HONR-VP 4303. ADVANCED SPECIAL TOPICS. 3 Hours.
Advanced special topics in Honors. May be repeated for credit as topics change.
Courses
HONR 1100. ENRICHMENT SERIES. 1 Hour.
Provides an introduction and orientation to the Honors College. Designed to assist students in acquiring skills for academic survival, individual success, and pursuit of their Honors degree and career possibilities. Format varies; instruction by both faculty and Honors College student peer counselors.
HONR 1304. HONORS INDEPENDENT STUDY. 3 Hours.
Independent study courses are arranged on an individual basis with permission of an instructor. Performance may be assessed by oral or written examination, research or review paper as arranged.
HONR 2104. HONORS INDEPENDENT STUDY. 1 Hour.
Independent study topics are arranged on an individual basis. Performance may be assessed by oral or written examination, research or review paper as arranged.
HONR 2106. HONORS SEMINAR. 1 Hour.
The Honors Seminar will cover topics of general interdisciplinary interest to students from a wide variety of academic disciplines. Active learning will be stressed with all students expected to both moderate and participate in classroom discussions of seminar topics. Instructors and topics offered will vary. The course may be repeated for credit as topics change.
HONR 2111. HONORS COMMUNITY SERVICE LEARNING. 1 Hour.
Intensive course in the history and practice of community service learning (CSL). Readings will include general accounts of active learning, the institutional history of CSL in higher education, and a comparative study of CSL programs across the country. Students will design and implement a CSL project based on their major, and in conjunction with an area non-profit organization. Evaluation will be based on written work on both the readings and the CSL project.
HONR 2203. HONORS SPECIAL TOPICS. 2 Hours.
Topics, format, and prerequisites to be determined by faculty offering the courses. May be repeated for credit as topics change.
HONR 2204. HONORS INDEPENDENT STUDY. 2 Hours.
Independent study topics are arranged on an individual basis with permission of an instructor. Performance may be assessed by oral or written examination, research or review paper as arranged.
HONR 2300. SEMINAR. 3 Hours.
Team-taught interdisciplinary course that introduces knowledge and perspectives from the arts, sciences, and humanities. Designed around a theme of current or historical significance. Writing-intensive. Depending on topic, may meet the literature, fine arts/humanities or social/cultural studies requirement of the core curriculum (consult departmental advisor for details).
HONR 2304. HONORS INDEPENDENT STUDY. 3 Hours.
Independent study topics are arranged on an individual basis with permission of an instructor. Performance may be assessed by oral or written examination, research or review paper as arranged.
HONR 2403. SPECIAL TOPICS. 4 Hours.
Topics, format, and prerequisites to be determined by faculty offering the courses. May be repeated for credit as topics change.
HONR 2404. HONORS INDEPENDENT STUDY. 4 Hours.
Independent study topics are arranged on an individual basis with permission of an instructor. Performance may be assessed by oral or written examination, research or review paper as arranged.
HONR 2435. HONORS SPECIAL TOPICS. 4 Hours.
Topics, format and prerequisites to be determined by faculty offering the course. May be repeated for credit as topics change.
HONR 3103. INDEPENDENT STUDY. 1 Hour.
Topics, format, and prerequisites to be determined by faculty offering the courses. May be repeated for credit as topics change.
HONR 3104. SPECIAL TOPICS. 1 Hour.
Topics, format, and prerequisites to be determined by faculty offering the courses. May be repeated for credit as topics change.
HONR 3203. HONORS INDEPENDENT STUDY. 2 Hours.
Independent study topics are arranged on an individual basis. Performance may be assessed by oral or written examination, research or review paper as arranged.
HONR 3204. SPECIAL TOPICS. 2 Hours.
Topics, format, and prerequisites to be determined by faculty offering the courses. May be repeated for credit as topics change.
HONR 3303. INDEPENDENT STUDY. 3 Hours.
Independent study topics are arranged on an individual basis. Performance may be assessed by oral or written examination, research or review paper as arranged.
HONR 3403. HONORS INDEPENDENT STUDY. 4 Hours.
Independent study topics are arranged on an individual basis with permission of an instructor. Performance may be assessed by oral or written examination, research or review paper as arranged.
HONR 3404. HONORS SPECIAL TOPICS. 4 Hours.
Topics, format, and prerequisites to be determined by faculty offering the courses. May be repeated for credit as topics change.
HONR 3435. HONORS SPECIAL TOPICS. 4 Hours.
Topics, format and prerequisites to be determined by faculty offering the course. May be repeated for credit as topics change.
HONR 3504. HONORS SPECIAL TOPICS. 5 Hours.
Topics, format, and prerequisites to be determined by faculty offering the courses. May be repeated for credit as topics change.
HONR 3535. HONORS SPECIAL TOPICS. 4 Hours.
Topics, format and prerequisites to be determined by faculty offering the course. may be repeated for credit as topics change.
HONR 4000. HONORS INDEPENDENT RESEARCH. 0 Hours.
Individualized research conducted under the supervision of a faculty member. This is a zero-credit course. May be repeated. Prerequisite: membership in the Honors College, permission of the supervising faculty member, and approval by the Dean of Honors.
HONR 4103. ADVANCED SPECIAL TOPICS. 1 Hour.
Advanced special topics in Honors. May be repeated for credit as topics change.
HONR 4104. HONORS INDEPENDENT STUDY. 1 Hour.
Independent study topics are arranged on an individual basis with permission of an instructor. Performance may be assessed by oral or written examination, research or review paper as arranged.
HONR 4106. HONORS ADVANCED SEMINAR. 1 Hour.
The Honors Advanced Seminar will cover topics of general interdisciplinary interest to students from a wide variety of academic disciplines. Active learning will be stressed with all students expected to research and prepare seminar presentations and moderate class discussions on assigned seminar topics. Instructors and topics offered will vary The course may be repeated for credit as topics change. Prerequisite: Junior or Senior status or permission of the instructor.
HONR 4144. HONORS SERVICE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES. 1 Hour.
Credit will be given for supervised service to a community agency. The service must be related to formal coursework and approved by a faculty mentor and a degree plan advisor. Prerequisite: Junior standing or permission of the Honors College Dean. Graded Pass/Fail.
HONR 4203. ADVANCED SPECIAL TOPICS. 2 Hours.
Advanced special topics in Honors. May be repeated for credit as topics change.
HONR 4204. HONORS INDEPENDENT STUDY. 2 Hours.
Independent study topics are arranged on an individual basis with permission of an instructor. Performance may be assessed by oral or written examination, research or review paper as arranged.
HONR 4244. HONORS SERVICE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES. 2 Hours.
Credit will be given for supervised service to a community agency. The service must be related to formal coursework and approved by a faculty mentor and a degree plan advisor. Graded Pass/Fail.
HONR 4300. ADVANCED SEMINAR. 3 Hours.
Integrates substantive knowledge in the arts, sciences, and humanities around a theme of current or historical significance. May meet the Social/Cultural Studies requirement of the core curriculum.
HONR 4303. ADVANCED SPECIAL TOPICS. 3 Hours.
Advanced special topics in Honors. May be repeated for credit as topics change.
HONR 4304. HONORS INDEPENDENT STUDY. 3 Hours.
Independent study topics are arranged on an individual basis with permission of an instructor. Performance may be assessed by oral or written examination, research or review paper as arranged.
HONR 4310. HONORS STUDY ABROAD. 3 Hours.
Interdisciplinary course in an out-of-country location around a theme or topic appropriate to the location. Journal, term papers, and/or examinations may be required. Meets the Social/Cultural Studies requirement of the core curriculum.
HONR 4320. HONORS INTERNSHIP. 3 Hours.
Supervised employment in student's area(s) of interest. Journal and term paper required. Reserved for students whose major department does not offer an Internship course.
HONR 4344. HONORS SERVICE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES. 3 Hours.
Credit will be given for supervised service to a community agency. The service must be related to formal coursework and approved by a faculty mentor and a degree plan advisor. Graded Pass/Fail.
HONR 4394. HONORS SENIOR RESEARCH THESIS/CREATIVE PROJECT. 3 Hours.
A research thesis or creative project and oral presentation are required for the Honors degree. In consultation with the faculty thesis supervisor and the Honors Dean, a program of research and writing will be arranged. Planning for the Honors Thesis/Creative Project should begin early in the student's junior year. For more extensive projects additional credit may be earned. Full details for completing the Honors Research Thesis/Creative Project are provided on the Honors website, http://www.honors.uta.edu/thesis/. This course is reserved for departments and programs that do not list dedicated thesis courses in their inventories.
HONR 4403. HONORS SPECIAL TOPICS. 4 Hours.
Topics, format, and prerequisites to be determined by faculty offering the courses. May be repeated for credit as topics change.
HONR 4404. HONORS INDEPENDENT STUDY. 4 Hours.
Independent study topics are arranged on an individual basis with permission of an instructor. Performance may be assessed by oral or written examination, research or review paper as arranged.
HONR 4435. HONORS SPECIAL TOPICS. 4 Hours.
Topics, format and prerequisites to be determined by faculty offering the course. May be repeated for credit as topics change.
HONR 4503. HONORS SPECIAL TOPICS. 5 Hours.
Topics, format, and prerequisites to be determined by faculty offering the courses. May be repeated for credit as topics change.
HONR 4504. HONORS INDEPENDENT STUDY. 5 Hours.
Independent study topics are arranged on an individual basis with permission of an instructor. Performance may be assessed by oral or written examination, research or review paper as arranged.
HONR 4535. HONORS SPECIAL TOPICS. 5 Hours.
Topics, format and prerequisites to be determined by faculty offering the course. May be repeated for credit as topics change.
Courses
SVLN 2311. SEMINAR IN SERVICE LEARNING. 3 Hours.
Introduction to the history and practice of community service learning (CSL). Readings will include general accounts of active learning, the institutional history of CSL in higher education, and a comparative study of CSL programs across the country. Students will design and implement a CSL project based on their major, and in conjunction with an area nonprofit organization. Evaluation will be based on written work on both the readings and the CSL project.