We’re glad that you’re considering an honors program in the
College of Engineering!

The College of Engineering Honors Program provides a structure for working more closely with faculty members and other students in a team environment. Participation in our program is highly recommended for engineering students planning academic or research-related careers that require considerable critical and original independent thinking, although the honors experience will benefit any future career endeavor.

New First-Year Students

Questions? Contact Us

Brian Haggard
Professor of Biological Engineering, Director of Arkansas Water Resources Center and Honors Program Director 

Bryan Hill 
Associate Dean for Student Success 

View entry requirements

Current & Transfer Students

Questions? Contact Us

Brian Haggard
Professor of Biological Engineering, Director of Arkansas Water Resources Center and Honors Program Director 

Bryan Hill 
Associate Dean for Student Success

View entry requirements

Honors Entry Requirements for New First-Year Students

Please note: Students must apply for admission to the University of Arkansas and receive official notification of acceptance to the university before applying to the Honors College.

  • 1 Option 1: Automatic Admission

    Students must have at least a 28 ACT composite score on one exam (1310 SAT equivalent) AND the minimum high school GPA. For Fall 2024 applicants, the minimum GPA is a 3.75. For student who plan to apply for Fall 2025 admission or beyond, the minimum GPA is a 3.85.

    Students who meet the Option #1 requirements will be invited to apply through their New Student Center after they have been admitted to the University of Arkansas. Students who complete the Option #1 application on their New Student Center will be automatically admitted to the Honors College.

  • 2 Option 2: Application Review

    Students who have at least a 3.90 high school GPA but do not have the necessary ACT/SAT score for automatic admission will be invited to complete an application in the spring of their senior year. Their application must include an essay and academic resume. For more information visit the Apply page.

Entry Requirements for Current & Transfer Students

  • Current University of Arkansas students must have a minimum grade point average of 3.50 on all UA coursework to be eligible.
  • New students not initially qualifying for the Engineering Honors Program are eligible after one term if they earn at least a 3.50 cumulative GPA
  • Transfer students must have a minimum grade point average of 3.50 on their transfer work to be eligible to apply to honors after they are admitted to UA.
  • For more information visit the ENGR Honors website. Questions? Contact Honors Program Director Brian Haggard

Ready to Apply?

Visit the ENGR Honors website to access the application link. Once submitted, your application will be reviewed by honors program staff in the College of Engineering. Questions? Contact Honors Program Director Brian Haggard

Honors Program Requirements

The College of Engineering requires the following:

  • Complete a minimum of 12 credit hours of honors courses.
  • A minimum of 6 of these 12 hours must be in engineering. Available engineering honors courses are found in departmental requirements section on the Engineering Honors Program website
  • For the honors courses outside of engineering, there are many options that will count toward your engineering degree requirements. Many courses on the approved humanities/social science elective list also have honors sections. Calculus and physics honors courses are also available.
  • Participate in an undergraduate research or design experience, and prepare an undergraduate thesis.
  • Fulfill any additional departmental requirements.
  • Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.50.

Please check with your honors program director for the most up-to-date requirements!

Visit the ENGR Honors Program website.


Samia Ismail

"I chose the U of A because of the fellowship they offered me. The money they invested in me gave me the freedom to navigate every opportunity that sounded interesting without the burden of wondering if it wasn't worth my time in college."

Samia Ismail, biomedical engineering

Read about Samia's honors thesis