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: 

The College Honors Program is an interdisciplinary honors program designed for students with the highest academic and artistic ambition. College honors students will complete more than one-third of their undergraduate curriculum in honors courses, including a college honors core, honors colloquia, and research hours. Incoming first-year students, especially those planning post-graduate education like medical school, law school or graduate school, choose to participate in the College Honors Program.

The Departmental Honors Program emphasizes an experience tailored by the department of the student. Departmental honors students follow the Fulbright College core and must complete at least 12 hours of honors coursework in their undergraduate career. Students also research and defend a thesis. This option is designed for students who do not meet the initial requirements for Fulbright Honors and transfer students with more than 24 hours.

View ARSC Honors Program Requirements

New Freshman Students

Questions? Contact Us

Lindsey Aloia
Associate Professor of Communication and Honors Program Director 

Jill Geisler Wheeler
Associate Director of Honors Studies

View entry requirements

Current & Transfer Students

Questions? Contact Us

Lindsey Aloia
Associate Professor of Communication and Honors Program Director 

Jill Geisler Wheeler
Associate Director of Honors Studies

View entry requirements

Entry Requirements for New Freshman Students

  • 1 Option 1: Automatic Admission – 28 ACT Composite (1310 SAT) and minimum 3.75 High School GPA.

    Students who meet these 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: Automatic Admission – 26 ACT Composite (1240 SAT) and minimum 3.90 High School GPA.

    Students who meet the Option #2 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 #2 application on their New Student Center will be automatically admitted to the Honors College.

  • 3 Option 3: Application Review – 3.90 High School GPA.

    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 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 2 full-time semesters 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. You must complete 1 full-time semester on the U of A campus before you apply. 
  • 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 Honors Program Director Lindsey Aloia.

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 expected to participate 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