Deciding to become a University Honors student is a big step. The questions you no doubt have are ones that many students share. Begin looking for answers below, and feel free to contact us at
ayhonor@uaa.alaska.edu or (907)786-1086 if you need more advice.
What are the requirements to graduate as a University Honors Scholar?
- 9 credits of University Honors core requirements
- 7 credits of Junior and Senior University Honors requirements
- A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5
Will University Honors courses count towards my degree?
Yes. Six credits of the University Honors core requirements will fulfill 3 credits of Social Science and 3 credits of Humanities under the General Education Requirements. All other credits will count towards your degree as lower- and upper-division electives. Your senior year credits may count towards your degree requirements depending on your major.
What if my cumulative GPA drops below 3.0 during a semester?
You will be on Honors academic probation. All Honors students with a cumulative GPA below 3.0 will be required to meet with the University Honors College Assistant Dean and will have a full academic year to improve their GPA.
What happens if I successfully complete all University Honors requirements, but graduate with a cumulative GPA below 3.5?
All of your Honors courses will appear on your transcripts demonstrating Honors-level work, but you will not be awarded the “University Honors Scholar” designation.
How do I calculate my cumulative GPA?
The GPA is calculated by dividing your total cumulative “quality grade points” earned by your “total quality hours” attempted. Academic letter grades carry the following grade points: A = 4.00 B = 3.00 C = 2.00 D = 1.00 F = 0.00
The number of credits for a class (for example, 3) is multiplied by the grade point value of the grade (for example, A=4) to give the total grade points (in this example, 12) for each course. The total number of quality grade points is then divided by the total number of quality hours attempted (in this example, 12/3 = 4.00 GPA). More information about this can be found in the UAA course catalog.
How is my GPA calculated for “Graduation with Honors?”
To graduate with honors (Latin Honors or University Honors), you must have a cumulative GPA of 3.50 or higher at UAA and the calculation must include any repeated courses and all transfer credits. See the UAA course catalog for more information.
Will doing Honors lower my grade point average?
We have found that, as a general rule, Honors students’ grade averages are actually higher in their Honors courses than in their regular coursework.
Can I join the University Honors College in the spring semester or in my sophomore year?
Yes! It may be possible to take some Honors classes concurrently or out of sequence if you still plan to graduate within four years.
How do I stay in touch with Honors College faculty and staff?
The most efficient way to keep in contact with Honors College faculty and staff is by email. You are expected to give us your current email address and check it regularly for important messages about program courses, events, academic advising, and other matters. All University Honors students are subscribed to the u-honors@lists.uaa.alaska.edu mailing list and will receive weekly newsletters featuring Honors announcements and information about other events. Some Honors instructors also use email to stay in touch with students about courses. Contact the University Honors College.
Do you recommend that I live in the dorms?
Absolutely. Living in the dorms gives you the opportunity to be a part of a residential college community and makes your college experience more complete.
Do I have to live on the Honors Floor if I choose to live on campus?
No. University Honors students are not required to live on the Honors Floor, but we recommend it as an excellent opportunity to live with students of similar academic commitment and abilities, and to be part of the Honors learning community. Find out more about living on the Honors Floor.
If I am in the Honors College, will doing an exchange keep me from graduating on time?
As long as you consult with the Honors College staff and the Student Exchange Office, going on exchange should not hinder your progress in Honors. We will work with you to ensure you can complete your Honors courses in time. You should also work closely with the Director of Enrollment Services (Cecile Mitchell, 786-1558, ancom@uaa.alaska.edu) to make sure that any classes you take while on exchange will satisfy degree requirements.
Am I required to see an advisor?
Yes. We think it is important for you to see an advisor in order to foster successful academic planning.
Who is my advisor?
You will have two academic advisors:
University Honors Advisor: Initially, your University Honors Advisor is Marian Mitchell, Assistant Dean of the University Honors College. However, you are encouraged to select one of the University Honors Academic Advisors. During your first two years in the University Honors College, you are required to meet with your University Honors Advisor at least once a semester to review your academic performance and to have your course schedule approved prior to registration. If you would like assistance with choosing your advisor, please call 786-1086.
Departmental Major Advisor: As soon as you select a major, you will have an academic advisor in your major. That advisor is responsible for monitoring your progress in your major department. If you would like assistance with contacting your departmental advisor, please call 786-1086, or contact your major department directly. See “Who is my Academic Advisor” for more information.
What are “Departmental Honors?”
In addition to the University Honors College, several academic departments offer opportunities for honors recognition within the major. Departments currently offering honors options are Anthropology, Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Economics, English, Geology, History, Justice, Languages, Mathematics, Music, Nursing, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, Social Work, Sociology, and Theatre. Learn more here.
Can I get both University and “Departmental Honors?”
Yes. If your department offers an honors option, we encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity. For example, a University Honors student majoring in Psychology can select the honors track within the major and graduate with both University Honors and Honors in Psychology. In addition, some departmental honors courses may be substituted for senior-level University Honors College courses with permission of the University Honors Dean.
Will attaining University Honors help me get into Medical/Law/Graduate School?
There are a number of factors that govern admission to graduate programs, including overall grade point, qualification tests (e.g. MCAT, LSAT, GRE), the quality of an applicant’s personal statement, internships and appropriate experience, etc. An Honors academic program can help, but cannot by itself determine one’s future success. However, participation in an Honors College often affords a student more opportunities for research, internships, scholarships, and faculty mentoring, all of which enhance an applicant’s resume.
Who is eligible to receive the University Honors Tuition Scholarship?
This competitive award is open to all University Honors students, but the number of awards is limited for each year. Award recipients must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5.
Where can I apply for more scholarships?
Visit the web site for the Office of Student Financial Aid and Veteran Affairs at http://www.uaa.alaska.edu/financialaid for information and applications for UAA and University of Alaska Foundation scholarships.
The Office of Undergraduate Research and Scholarship (OURS) has up-to-date information about funding opportunities at the local, state, national and international levels, as well as about prestigious national scholarship and fellowship opportunities: http://www.uaa.alaska.edu/ours.
Additional sources:
• AHAINA (African American, Hispanic, Asian, International, and Native American) Student Programs
• UAA Career Services Center
• CASHE (College Aid Sources for Higher Education)
• Native Student Services
