The UAF Honors Program provides opportunities for students to pursue excellence in academic and personal development. We foster critical and independent thinking and help students become informed, responsible and active citizens. Honors students have access to small classes, research opportunities, intensive advising and scholarships. Students are encouraged to participate in service, leadership, research, study abroad, internships and other opportunities that contribute to their personal growth.

Eligibility

To be eligible to join the Honors Program, entering freshmen must have a cumulative high school GPA of 3.6 and a combined SAT score of 1300 or a composite ACT score of 27. Current UAF students and transfer students must have a combined cumulative GPA of 3.5 that includes at least 24 credits of college courses. The Honors Program accepts applications all year. The application form is at http://www.uaf.edu/honors/.

Program Features

Honors students complete a flexible schedule of courses that includes honors sections of some general education courses and courses developed specifically for the Honors Program. Other courses may be contracted for honors credit by students who work with individual professors. With approval by the director, students who study abroad may earn up to 12 honors credits for the academic courses they take at their host universities. Undergraduate students who complete graduate courses may count those courses toward their honors course requirement. In all cases, courses will only count toward the honors distinction if the student earns a grade of B (3.0) or higher. Honors students must be enrolled full-time in a baccalaureate degree program and are expected to complete a minimum of 6 honors credits each academic year. 

The Honors Program offers students intensive advising with an opportunity to develop a personal plan for their UAF years that builds in extracurricular opportunities, research, leadership, service and more to meet the goals of each student.

The Honors House, located in the heart of campus, provides honors students a casual and comfortable home away from home. The house includes computer labs, a smart classroom, quiet study areas, a kitchen, a laundry room and a place for social gatherings.

Program Requirements

To graduate with a distinction from the Honors Program, students must fulfill GPA, capstone project or thesis, and honors course and credit requirements. 

Honors students must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25. Students whose cumulative GPA falls below 3.25 for two consecutive semesters will be removed from the program unless an appeal is approved by the honors director.

In addition to the other program requirements, students must work with a faculty mentor to complete a capstone thesis or project that includes a written component and an oral presentation. 

University Honors Scholar distinction is awarded at commencement to students who complete 27 or more credits of honors courses including specific honors courses, elective honors courses, and a capstone project or thesis, in addition to other program requirements. Students who join the program after they complete 60 or more credits, either from UAF or from a transfer institution, can graduate as an Honors Thesis Scholar by completing 12 credits of honors course work and a capstone project or thesis in addition to other program requirements. 

Additional Information

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