The UAH Honors Program offers the opportunity for academic excellence. It enhances the study of the scientific and humanistic accomplishments of the past and present in order to increase knowledge of the self and of the world. Through the specially designed classes of the Honors Program, students are assured an exciting academic career that will also nurture their special talents. The UAH Honors Program provides a path to a unique education.
The UAH Honors Program offers:
• Stimulating and challenging courses and activities
• Small classes, often fewer than 15 students
• Close contact with faculty and other academically talented students
• Enhanced attention to developing important academic competencies, especially writing and critical thinking
• Enjoyable extracurricular activities, including concerts, theatrical performances, and social events.
Mission of the Honors Program
The mission of the Honors Program is to provide academically talented and highly motivated students with an enriched and balanced program of study that will stimulate, complement, and enhance their intellectual interests. Additionally, the program seeks to enrich and to broaden intellectual interaction among these students and to heighten the quality of their academic life at the university. Honors courses may be integrated into all academic disciplines. The goals of the Program are as follows.
* To identify outstanding undergraduates and provide them with opportunities to develop their special talents and skills within an expanded and enriched version of the curriculum
* To promote the development of intellectual skills, including the ability to think analytically and creatively, and the ability to communicate with clarity and style
* To facilitate serious appraisal of cultural, scientific, and social issues that cross disciplinary boundaries
* To emphasize and encourage independent study
* To enrich and broaden the intellectual experiences of students through a program of co-curricular activities
* To promote social and intellectual interaction among academically talented students
* To nurture close intellectual relationships between students and faculty
* To enhance the quality of academic life at UAH
* To aid in the recruitment and retention of academically superior students
* To contribute significantly to the education of knowledgeable and responsible persons who are committed to life-long learning
SUMMARY OF HONORS PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
Total requirements: 24 semester hours including the Honors Senior Project
The following must normally be included in the program leading to the Honors diploma:
1. EH 105: Honors English Seminar - 3 semester hours
2. H 100: HONORS FORUM - 3 semester hours total
3. Two Honors Interdisciplinary Seminars OR one seminar and one course at 300-level or above in the major - 6 semester hours.
4. Honors Senior Project - The Honors Senior Project may be associated with independent study, capstone or senior design courses, or other course work in the major. The hours earned may thus count toward the major and the thesis based on the course counts toward the Honors diploma. Handouts on thesis requirements are available in the Honors Program Office.
Remaining hours may be taken in any of the following categories.
* Honors versions of courses that may be applied toward students' general education requirements, including sophomore literature, philosophy, music, physics, and others.
* Honors sections of the laboratories for selected science and engineering courses. Students who enroll in the Honors labs get Honors credit for both the lecture and the laboratory.
* The Director is pursuing opportunities for additional course offerings and welcomes suggestions.
* Any course at UAH may confer Honors credit via an Honors contract. The emphasis in contract courses should be on work that is qualitatively different from the usual assignments, not simply on the quantity of work. Typically an Honors contract will provide enhanced opportunities for independent research. Information on this can be found here.
PDF Summary of Honors Program Requirements
Business Administration Advisement
Engineering Advisement
Liberal Arts Advisement
Nursing Advisement
Science Advisement
TRANSFER STUDENTS
Transfer students who have earned a 3.3 grade point average at an accredited college or university may apply to enroll in the Honors Program. Students may also apply to transfer a limited amount of Honors credit earned at another school to UAH. Those who have accumulated two years of academic credit and who thus may have difficulty scheduling enough Honors courses to earn the Honors Diploma are invited to work toward the Certificate for Completion of the Upper-Level Requirements of the Honors Program. Requirements for this certificate are as follows: 12 semester hours of Honors courses, including 6 hours at the 300 level or above, plus an approved Honors Senior Project. Prospective students should contact the Director at 256-824-6451 or by email at mebanej@email.uah.edu for furthuer information.
Retention within the Honors Program
Once a student is admitted to the UAH Honors Program, he or she never loses the privilege of enrolling in Honors courses. In order to receive the Honors Diploma upon graduation, one must have a cumulative 3.0 grade point average or higher and have completed the necessary Honors coursework. However, if one's GPA falls below 3.0 in any semester, one may simply continue to take course work (including Honors sections if desired) in order to raise the GPA. Students whose GPA falls below 2.75 are encouraged to talk with the Director of the Honors Program.
HELPFUL WEBSITES
Several students have recommended websites that they feel have been helpful.
http://www.gradschooltips.com
http://testprepreview.com
http://www.scholarshiphelp.org
Q & A
Q. Are honors courses difficult?
A. Honors courses are intended to benefit serious students. They are not meant to overburden or to damage opportunities for successful university careers. Honors courses approach learning as a challenging, rewarding and joyous endeavor.
Q. Who may join the Honors Program?
A. All qualified, seriously committed students are urged to participate in the Honors Program. First year students must meet the following minimum requirements:
A high school grade point average of 3.5 or higher
An acceptable score on the enhanced ACT or SAT
Minimum test scores for admission are:
ACT: Composite 28
SAT: Composite 1,200
Application to UAH is the first step towards admission to the Honors Program. After admission, transcripts and test scores are reviewed. An invitation to join the program is based on evaluation of these criteria, as stated above. Interested students already enrolled at UAH who have completed at least 12 hours of coursework with a GPA of 3.3 or higher are encouraged to contact the director to determine how they may best participate in the program.
Q. What about scholarship support?
A. Students should comply with the application guidelines of the Financial Aid Office in order to be eligible for UAH's scholarship program.
Q. Is academic advisement available for all students?
A. Yes. An important benefit of the Honors Program is the intense and individualized advisement available to students. Honors students need to plan their coursework carefully so that they can take full advantage of special honors opportunities and move efficiently toward their degrees. The honors director and college advisors will provide this help.
Q. Do scholastic honors and recognition come with participation in the Honors Program?
A. Yes. All honors coursework is noted on the transcript and an explanation of the academic distinction inherent in honors education is attached. Students who participate fully in the Honors Program by completing the required 24 hours including the Senior Project will be recognized at graduation and in other formal ceremonies commemorating academic excellence.
