ARSC

We’re glad that you’re considering an honors program in the
Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences!

For students with superior academic abilities, the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences provides a comprehensive program of honors studies. Fulbright honors students have a choice of two options in order to graduate with honors: 

Students in the College Honors program complete roughly one-third of their coursework at the honors level. Honors hours are taken from the honors core, honors colloquia, and research hours, including the thesis. (Visit the Fulbright Honors Program website for specific details.) Through coursework or examination students demonstrate proficiency in a language other than English (intermediate level). Entering freshmen are admitted to the College Honors program.

The Departmental Honors program allows the flexibility to take honors courses from a variety of areas befitting the student's schedule. Students complete at least 12 hours of honors coursework in residence and develop and defend a thesis. The Departmental Honors program is intended for students who enter honors after the second semester of their freshman year and students who transfer into the University with more than 24 hours.

 

View ARSC Honors Program Requirements

New Freshman Students

Questions? Contact Us

Laurence Hare
Executive Director of Undergradute Excellece & Global Engagement and Associate Professor of History

Jill Geisler Wheeler
Director of Honors and Experiential Learning

View entry requirements

Current & Transfer Students

Questions? Contact Us

Laurence Hare
Executive Director of Undergradute Excellece & Global Engagement and Associate Professor of History

Jill Geisler Wheeler
Director of Honors and Experiential Learning

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. 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. You must complete one full-time semester at the U of A before you apply. 
  • Transfer students must have a minimum grade point average of 3.50 on all coursework to be eligible to apply to honors after they are admitted to UA.
  • Applications are not accepted from students within three major (fall/spring) semesters of graduation.
  • For more information visit the ARSC Honors website. 

Ready to Apply?

Visit the ARSC Honors website to access the application link. Once submitted, your application will be reviewed by honors program staff in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences. Questions? Contact Jill Wheeler.

Honors Program Requirements

The Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences offers two forms of honors:

The J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences offers two forms of honors:

  • Students in the College Honors program complete roughly one-third of their coursework at the honors level. Honors hours are taken from the honors core, honors colloquia, and research hours, including the thesis. (Visit the Fulbright Honors Program website for specific details .) Through coursework or examination students demonstrate proficiency in a language other than English (intermediate level). Entering freshmen are automatically enrolled in the College Honors program.

  • The Departmental Honors program allows the flexibility to take honors courses from a variety of areas befitting the student's schedule. Students complete at least 12 hours of honors coursework in residence and develop and defend a thesis. The Departmental Honors program is intended for students who enter honors after the second semester of their freshman year and students who transfer into the University with more than 24 hours.

Both college and departmental honors students must:

  • Complete honors coursework in residence
  • Maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.50
  • Complete undergraduate research culminating in an honors thesis project

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

Visit the ARSC Honors website.

Ariel Romero

“To me, design needs purpose. I want to address a life issue that affects a lot of people."

Ariel Romero, graphic design

Read about Ariel's honors thesis