Honors College

Honors College Overview

The Honors College [name change official Aug. 1] promotes academic excellence and intellectual growth for the many talented and motivated students who hold membership. Opportunities within and beyond the classroom are designed to foster intellectual curiosity and assist students in building an intellectual foundation that will help them in future pursuits.

The Honors College offers lower-division and upper-division honors programs, including the Honors Certificate Program , the Honors Scholar Award and the Distinguished Honors Scholar designation. Students in any major may pursue Honors College membership, as many courses offered for Honors credit meet university core requirements. The Honors College also offers a research track through which students can develop research skills, write an honors thesis, and present scholarly work at our annual university wide Scholars Day and at regional and national honors and professional conferences.

Chances for enrichment

The classroom is the heart of the Honors College. Students also enjoy other rewarding opportunities. Those opportunities include informal lunches with professors and deans; free tickets to cultural events such as jazz and other concerts, plays, and art shows; discussions about graduate and professional school and special opportunities on campus; and trips to local museums and lectures. Students who are members of the Honors College may also live in Honors housing, which offers special programming for students.

Recognition at commencement

Graduates are honored at commencement at a special reception where their accomplishments are recognized with the Honors College Medallion. Their transcript is also designated to provide a permanent record of honors courses taken and graduation through the Honors College.

Applying to the honors college

Our goal is to admit students who are academically sound and embrace opportunities for intellectual growth. Admission to the Honors College is competitive and a special application, available at www.unt.edu/honors or by mail from the Honors College, is required. Admission to the Honors College does not constitute admission to UNT.

Several factors are considered in the admission decision of freshman applicants, including scores on standardized tests, high school grade point average, class rank and a writing sample. Applicants are also asked to provide the names of two teachers or counselors who may be contacted for additional information about the applicant's academic ability and performance. Students with extraordinary ability in debate, music, theatre, writing or other endeavors are encouraged to share information about their special accomplishments.

The Honors College welcomes continuing and transfer students. Admission to the Honors College is automatic upon presentation of transcripts indicating 15 or more hours of college credit and a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25.

Office location

The Honors College is located in the General Academic Building, Room 309A.