Janice Lozano
The Honors College at the University of Houston offers students a unique learning experience, combining the benefits of a small liberal arts college with the resources of a large metropolitan university. Students enrolled in the Honors College have access to smaller class sizes, priority registration, and dedicated faculty support. The college encourages independent critical thinking and student participation, with challenging texts and ideas that enhance the depth and breadth of a student's education. To graduate with Honors, students must complete the required number of Honors courses and maintain a minimum GPA, with the option to pursue a senior honors thesis for additional distinction.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Application Process | Students must submit an online application, a full-length academic essay, a résumé or list of activities and interests, a high school transcript, a transcript of all college-level work, and SAT or ACT scores. |
| Requirements | Students must achieve a 3.25-grade point average and take 1-2 Honors courses each semester. |
| Benefits | Small classes, priority registration, accessible faculty/staff, student community, scholarship opportunities, access to special study abroad and research opportunities, and individualized orientation and advising sessions |
| Graduation Requirements | Students must complete 36 semester hours of the Honors College curriculum and be active members in good standing at the time of graduation to be eligible for University Honors. |
What You'll Learn
Application requirements
The Honors College at the University of Houston is a community for motivated students to learn and grow together. It offers the resources of a major metropolitan state university, while also providing an intimate, challenging and supportive educational environment.
The Honors College welcomes applications from students entering the University of Houston as freshmen, students enrolled at the University for one or several semesters, and students transferring from other colleges and universities. The University of Houston has a holistic admissions process and evaluates each applicant on an individual basis. The Honors College Admissions Committee considers the high school and/or academic record, extracurricular activities, test scores (when provided), and essay of each applicant.
The average Honors student has graduated in the top 10% of their high school class with a score of 1300 or above on the SAT. However, the committee does not use these numerical norms as required thresholds for admission, and students meeting these criteria are not automatically accepted. All interested students are encouraged to apply.
To apply for admission to the Honors College, students must submit the following:
- Honors College Online Application
- A full-length academic essay: a literary analysis with a central thesis and strong supporting arguments (3-5 pages)
- Résumé or list of activities and interests
- High school transcript (high school seniors only)
- Transcript of all college-level work
- SAT or ACT scores (high school seniors only)
The University of Houston admissions requirements for spring, summer, and fall 2025 are "test-optional." Students can select whether they want their application to be reviewed with or without a test score.
Deadlines:
- March 1 (Priority Deadline) — Priority Application deadline for admission to the Honors College. Students admitted by this deadline will be invited to the Scholars Invitational, the exclusive Honors College Orientation opportunity for priority enrollment.
- June 2 — Deadline for admission to the Honors College. Final decisions for fall semester admissions are made by August 1. Students are highly encouraged to complete their application by March 1.
- June 23 — Mid-career application deadline for admission to the Honors College and the University of Houston. Supporting documents deadline June 30.
- December 20 — Application and supporting documents deadline for spring admissions. Final decisions for spring semester admission are made during the first two weeks of January.
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Benefits of the Honors College
The Honors College at the University of Houston offers a unique blend of the personal support and attention typically found in a small college, alongside the extensive resources and diverse community of a large university. This combination provides students with a challenging and supportive educational environment that fosters their intellectual growth and character development. Here are some specific benefits of the Honors College:
Small Classes and Individual Attention
Honors classes are kept small to encourage stimulating discussions and interactions between students and instructors. This intimate setting allows students to receive personalized attention and support from outstanding faculty members, fostering a high level of engagement and promoting their academic success.
Priority Registration and Academic Advising
Honors College students enjoy priority registration each semester, ensuring they can secure their preferred classes without the stress of competing with the entire student body. Additionally, they receive dedicated academic advising and one-on-one interactions with accessible faculty and staff. Four academic advisors are available year-round to guide Honors College students through their academic journey.
Enhanced Graduation Recognition and Distinction
Completing the Honors College curriculum and maintaining good academic standing leads to special recognition at graduation. Students who fulfill the requirements of their major with distinction and write a senior honors thesis graduate with Membership in the Honors College with Honors in Major, the highest honor achievable at the University of Houston. This distinction is sure to impress graduate schools, professional schools, and prospective employers.
Access to Special Opportunities and Amenities
Honors College students have exclusive access to private amenities, including reserved computer labs, study areas, lounges, and residence halls. They are also invited to special campus activities, community events, conversations with visiting scholars, and cultural performances. Furthermore, they benefit from priority access to research and internship opportunities, as well as study abroad programs, enhancing their overall educational experience.
Social and Academic Community
The Honors College fosters a strong sense of community beyond the classroom. Students can participate in various social organizations and activities, such as Club Theater, Movie Night, Coffee House, Retreat, Model Arab League, Mentorship, and museum trips. These experiences provide opportunities for Honors College students to connect, form lasting friendships, and build a supportive network that enhances their overall college experience.
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Graduation requirements
The University of Houston's Honors College offers students the benefits of a small college and a large university. The college provides priority registration, reserved computer labs, study areas, lounges, residence halls, and scholarship opportunities.
To graduate with honors from the University of Houston, students must complete the Honors College curriculum and maintain specific academic standards. The general requirements for graduation with honors include:
- Grade Point Average: Students must achieve a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.25. This standard applies to both mid-career and freshman honors students.
- Honors Courses: Students are expected to take at least one to two honors courses each semester, with a total of 36 semester hours of Honors College curriculum. Honors courses are designed to encourage critical thinking, student participation, and stimulating discussions.
- Senior Honors Thesis: Completing a senior honors thesis is a critical component of graduating with the highest distinction, which is University Honors with Honors in Major. Students pursuing the University Honors path must complete this requirement.
- Honors Designations: There are two primary honors designations: University Honors and Collegiate Honors. University Honors is for four-year honors students, while Collegiate Honors is for those who join the Honors College mid-career.
- Honors Credit Hours: To graduate with University Honors, students must complete 36 credit hours of Honors College curriculum. This typically includes courses such as the Human Situation sequence, Honors American Government, Honors American History, and an Honors Colloquium.
- Non-Honors Credit Requirements: In addition to honors courses, students must also fulfill specific non-honors credit requirements. These include a Natural Science lab and credit for elementary functions level mathematics.
- Honors in Major: To earn the "with Honors in Major" distinction, students must complete a senior honors thesis and fulfill the requirements of their major with distinction. This is the highest honor a University of Houston student can achieve.
- Honors Minors: Collegiate Honors students can fulfill their honors requirements by completing one of three Honors minors: Center for Creative Work, Energy and Sustainability, or Phronêsis: A Program in Politics and Ethics.
- Honors in Co-Curricular Engagement: Students who complete the Honors in Co-Curricular Engagement Designation requirements (12 points) will graduate with Honors in Co-Curricular Engagement. This distinction is recognized at commencement ceremonies and on transcripts.
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Coursework
The University of Houston's Honors College offers a range of benefits to its students, including priority registration, access to Honors residence halls, and eligibility for Honors scholarships. The College provides a supportive and intimate educational environment, akin to that of a small liberal arts college, while also offering the resources of a large metropolitan university.
Honors students are expected to take at least one Honors course each term, with small class sizes that encourage stimulating discussions and interactions. The College recommends that students take 1-2 Honors courses each semester, with the average Honors curriculum totalling 36 credit hours.
The Honors curriculum is designed to complement any field of study and enrich the educational experience of its students. It presents challenging texts, ideas, and methods that foster independent critical thinking and add depth and breadth to every student's education. The coursework is demanding and encourages student participation, with Honors faculty members selected for their commitment to undergraduate education and teaching excellence.
Honors students can graduate with University Honors, Collegiate Honors, or Membership in the Honors College, with the option of completing a senior honors thesis to achieve higher distinctions. To graduate with University Honors, students must complete 36 Honors curriculum hours, while Collegiate Honors requires the completion of 21 hours of Honors courses or an Honors minor. Membership in the Honors College is granted to students who complete fewer than 21 hours of Honors courses during their undergraduate years at the University of Houston.
In addition to the standard Honors curriculum, students can also pursue special designations, such as Honors in Co-Curricular Engagement, which requires the completion of 12 points, or Honors in Major, which requires the completion of a senior honors thesis.
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Scholarships and internships
The University of Houston's Honors College offers scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $1,500 annually. These scholarships are awarded based on financial need, academic record, and leadership. To be eligible, incoming students must attend an Honors College Open House. Current Honors College students are also eligible and must apply to be considered.
Honors College students also have access to the Office of Undergraduate Research and Major Awards, which assists students with securing practical research and internship opportunities.
The University of Houston also offers a wide range of other scholarships, including:
- University Funded Merit Scholarships
- Scholarships for Transfers
- Scholarships for International Students
- University Endowed Scholarships
- University Privately Funded Scholarships
- Undergraduate Research Scholarships
- College-Specific Scholarships
- State Funded Scholarships
- Learning Abroad Scholarships
- Outside Scholarships
The University of Houston also provides an online tool called Scholarship Universe to help students find and apply for scholarships.
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Frequently asked questions
The Honors College at the University of Houston offers a range of benefits, including priority registration, access to Honors residence halls, and eligibility for scholarships and internships. Students also get to take part in Honors private amenities such as the Honors study lounge and computer center, as well as social events and community activities.
Honors courses encourage independent critical thinking and rely on student participation in the classroom. They are more demanding than large-lecture courses but also more rewarding. The reading, writing, and testing requirements are typically not substantially different from those of a comparable University course.
There are several reasons to take Honors courses. Firstly, the coursework challenges students to think critically and broadens their educational experience. Secondly, Honors faculty members are committed to undergraduate education and are excellent teachers. Thirdly, in Honors courses, students will be among their brightest peers, allowing them to learn from each other, both inside and outside the classroom.
Yes, as with most undergraduate colleges, the Honors College does charge fees for various services and events.
To graduate with University Honors, students must complete 36 semester hours of the Honors College curriculum and be active members in good standing. To graduate with University Honors with Honors in Major, students must also complete a senior honors thesis. To graduate with Collegiate Honors, students must complete a minimum of 21 semester hours in specified Honors coursework.
Note: These answers are based on the assumption that 'students' refers to those enrolled at the University of Houston.
