We’re glad that you’re considering an honors program in the
Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences!

The Bumpers College Honors Program encourages students to add depth to their education by engaging in the undergraduate research and creative process, working closely with faculty mentors, and seeking funding for international study, service learning and internship opportunities. 

New Freshman Students

Questions? Contact Us

Lona Robertson
Professor and Associate Dean

Isabel Whitehead-Adams 
Coordinator of Honors Programs

View entry requirements

Current & Transfer Students

Questions? Contact Us

Lona Robertson
Professor and Associate Dean

Isabel Whitehead-Adams 
Coordinator of Honors Programs

View entry requirements

Honors Entry Requirements for New Freshman 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 of 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.
  • Transfer students must have a minimum grade point average of 3.50 on all coursework to be eligible to apply after they have been admitted to UA.
  • Applications are not accepted from students within three major (fall/spring) semesters of graduation.
  • For more information visit the AFLS Honors website

Ready to Apply?

Visit the AFLS Honors website to access the application link. Once submitted, your application will be reviewed by honors program staff in the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences. Questions? Contact Contact Associate Dean Lona Robertson.

Honors Program Requirements

The Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences requires the following:

  • Students must maintain a GPA of 3.50 in order to remain in the program.  Students falling below that average will have one semester of probation to raise their GPA.
  • Graduation with honors distinction requires each student complete a total of 15 honors credit hours for the Bumpers College Honors Program.
    • Incoming freshman are required to enroll in the AFLS 102H3 Honors Perspectives course. Students who enter the program after freshman year are not required to enroll in the course and may enroll in 3 credit hours of honors courses in subjects of their choosing.
    • All students must complete the AFLS 341H3 Honors Proposal Development and Research Methods course before the completion of 90 credit hours.
    • Complete 9-12 credit hours of Honors courses. Students are encouraged to take Honors courses within Bumpers as well as Honors courses in other colleges.
    • Complete 3-6 thesis credit hours focused on conducting a Research, Creative, or Team Thesis Project along with a final written thesis document. Enrollment in thesis hours is by permission only. Please complete the request to enroll form and obtain the signature(s) of your Academic Advisor and Honors Thesis Mentor. The signed form should be returned to aflshnrs@uark.edu or the Waldrip Student Center in AGRI 205.

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

Visit the AFLS Honors website.


Srusti Maddala

"I hope that this research will lead to better sampling methods, so that we can better understand and manage soil ecosystems."

Srusti Maddala, environmental science & chemistry

Read about Srusti's honors thesis