UHD Honors Program Requirements
UHD Honors Program
The UHD Honors Program outlines specific criteria that students must meet to participate. This webpage provides detailed information on the academic and eligibility requirements for joining the Honors Program at the University of Houston-Downtown.
The UHD Honors Program has an academic and a service/participation component. On the academic side, you will take special sections of lower-level core courses which are limited to Honors students. These feature small enrollments and great teachers who focus on encouraging your critical thinking, research and communication skills. For upper-level courses, students can work with a chosen professor each semester to complete an Honors Contract or conduct other forms of mentored research.
Each Honors student also completes 10 volunteer hours OR attends two honors events
per semester.
You can fulfill the service requirement by working with your fellow team members (every
honors student is a member of one of four teams). The teams also participate in challenges
and games throughout the year.
The Honors Program requires a commitment to be actively engaged in the Honors Experience, but it doesn't add additional course requirements or increase the time it takes to graduate - every Honors credit hour earned helps fulfill degree requirements and keeps you on the path toward your goals.
All Honors students commit to completing 6 hours of Honors coursework per academic year. Most Honors students exceed these requirements. Honors coursework credit may be awarded to transfer students from other honors programs. Students who do not complete any Honors coursework for two consecutive long semesters (fall and spring) will be excused from the Honors Program.
Honors coursework comes in multiple forms. These include Honors sections of core classes, special projects in degree level courses, Honors contract courses, independent research with a faculty mentor, study abroad, and mentored internships.
To graduate as a member of the University Honors Program, students must:
Complete a minimum of 24 hours of honors coursework
Earn a cumulative UHD GPA of 3.25
Earn a B or higher in all honors coursework
Complete 10 hours of service OR attend two honors events per semester
Service hour documentation must include the name of the nonprofit or organization, exact dates of service, a record of time volunteered, volunteer supervisor signature, and contact information. We will have a Volunteer-hour check-up for all students right before spring break to help those who need assistance with accumulating service hours.
Each semester the Honors Program also sponsors discussion forums, lectures, workshops, community outreach activities and other events. Attendance forms are also required to record student participation at these events.
One of the first traditions established by the Honors Program was awarding high-achieving students a distinctive varsity-style Honors cardigan. The cardigan recognizes students who have successfully made their way to the middle point of their Honors career at UHD. The application opens at the end of the spring semester and cardigans are awarded in late September.
Eligibility:
- Successful Completion of 12 hours of Honors coursework
- GPA 3.5+
- Good Standing in the University Honors Program
- Submission of Cardigan Application