How to apply
Application Forms
WHAT IS THE UNIVERSITY HONORS PROGRAM?
The University Honors Program offers exceptional academic and co-curricular opportunities designed to enhance your undergraduate education, regardless of your major or career goals. If you're eager to learn and want to get the most out of your college experience, challenge yourself, and benefit from a supportive community of friends and mentors, the Honors Program might be the place for you!
Honors students come from every major, and our curriculum is designed to enrich your educational experience and help you become a better scholar, creative thinker, and engaged citizen.
Honors is an experience that takes place both inside and outside of the classroom.
As part of a thriving learning community, you'll be connected to a broad network of experience and talent to help you refine your goals and achieve your potential. You'll gain new perspectives and make lasting friendships at Honors retreats, workshops, and enrichment events. Special opportunities to study abroad, attend national and regional conferences, connect with community leaders, and engage in service learning will ensure that your undergraduate experience is both memorable and meaningful.
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 earned helps fulfill degree requirements and keeps you on the path toward your goals. There are multiple ways to earn credit including Honors sections of core classes, special projects in degree level courses, independent research with a faculty mentor, study abroad, and mentored internships.
Even though the benefits of Honors have been described as "priceless," membership in the Honors Program does not add any additional fees to your tuition bill. In fact, each fall we offer 12 fully funded four-year scholarships to new freshmen. Each semester Honors students can also apply for additional funds to support their academic success in the form of Hamman Scholarships. Honors students also have access to workshops focused on how to apply for nationally competitive scholarship and internship programs.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Honors requires a separate application for admission. Applicants are encouraged to take advantage of the application process as an opportunity to elaborate on goals, highlight past achievements, and demonstrate future potential. The application typically requires an hour to complete.
Any highly motivated student may apply to the Honors Program, but preference will be given to students who meet the eligibility criteria and whose applications demonstrate a history of sustained academic success and ongoing intellectual potential.
There are different applications depending on when you apply to Honors. If you are
uncertain of which application to use, e-mail the director for help.
The majority of applicants to the Honors Program are recent high school graduates enrolling in their first semester at the University of Houston-Downtown.
Priority Applicant Criteria
Preference will be given to applicants meeting TWO of the criteria listed below. Twelve priority applicants will be selected to receive a fully funded Honors Scholarship.
- High School grade point overage (GPA) of 3.5 or higher
- A minimum GPA of 3.2 in all college level coursework is expected of applicants with more than fifteen hours of college credit earned through dual credit courses.
- Graduation rank in top 15%
- Standardized Test Scores: SAT 1180+ or ACT 24+
General Applicant Criteria
All applicants must meet at least ONE of the standards listed below and provide evidence of academic achievement and potential.
- High School grade point overage (GPA) of 3.5 or higher
- A minimum GPA of 3.0 in all college level coursework is expected of applicants with more than fifteen hours of college credit earned through dual credit courses.
- Graduation rank in top 25%
- Standardized Test Scores: SAT 1100+ or ACT 22+
Transfer students from Honors Programs at San Jacinto College, Houston Community College, or Lonestar Community College are invited to continue their Honors Experience as members of the University Honors Program.
Honors transfer students need to complete the transfer application and provide the following documents:
- Recommendation letter from Honors Director or Advisor affirming that the applicant is in Good Standing with their current program's standards
- Copies of transcripts documenting previously earned Honors credit
Letters of recommendation and other documentation from community college Honors Programs
should be sent via email to
honors@uhd.edu and include the applicant's name in the subject line.
The University Honors Program invites applications from current UHD students and new
transfer students from all majors classified as sophomores.
Sophomore Applicant Criteria:
- UHD or Transfer GPA 3.5+
- Credit for ENG 1301/1302
- Has not earned more than 36 hours of college credit prior to start of the Fall semester
The University Honors Program has partnered with the Marilyn Davies College of Business to create a robust Honors Experience for students majoring in business. Students are strongly encouraged to apply to Honors as sophomores, but high achieving new juniors are also eligible.
Business Applicant Criteria:
- UHD or Transfer GPA 3.5+
- Classified as a sophomore or first semester junior
- Able to enroll in at least five of the Business Core Honors sections
- Student will need to complete additional Honors Program requirements
- To meet the full requirements of the University Honors Program a core complete, declared,
business major must be able to take at least four of the courses listed below as Honors
sections.
| Fall Courses | Spring Courses | ||
| ACCT 2301 |
ACCT 2302 | ||
| BA 3300 |
MKT 3301 | ||
| BA 3301 | BA 3350 | ||
| MGT 3301 | |||
| FIN 3302 |
Interested in taking an Honors Course?
Any business major/minor with a GPA of 3.3 or higher interested in taking an Honors
section may request permission to enroll. Requests need to be sent via e-mail the
director of the University Honors Program (honors@uhd.edu), and available seats will be awarded on a first come, first served basis. Business
core classes designated as Honors sections are limited to fifteen students.