• What does the Honors Program at UA Fort Smith offer?
• Who teaches classes in the Honors Program?
• How do I qualify for the program?
• What scholarships are available?
• What are the requirements for a Bachelor’s degree with Honors?
• What is an Honors Thesis?
• Can you take just one Honors course?

What does the Honors Program at UA Fort Smith offer?

The Honors Program at UA Fort Smith provides academically talented students with the opportunity to pursue a challenging program of courses and activities, emphasizing learning in an active/collaborative setting. Offering enriched learning experiences, special Honors classes go beyond the basics of the course to explore critical thinking in the various subjects. Interdisciplinary studies and making connections across the disciplines are also key components of the Honors experience. Forums, study groups, attendance at regional and national Honors conferences, and other activities add to the learning environment unique to the Honors Program.

Who teaches classes in the Honors Program?

The professors teaching in the Honors Program are among the most gifted on campus and are selected for their knowledge in the subject area and their innovative approaches to active/collaborative learning. The teachers are experts in their field and have received degrees from universities across the nation, but more importantly, they all care about the students’ learning in and out of the classroom. Alumni from past Honors classes always mention the caring and one-on-one teaching that is the hallmark of the Honors Program.

How do I qualify for the program?

The basic criteria for admission to the program are:

• ACT 27+
• HS GPA 3.5+ in core courses
• Competent writing abilities demonstrated in a short essay (This essay can also show the imaginative and analytic skills of the student)
• Recommendations by former teachers who can speak to the student’s academic abilities and personal character
• Graduation in the top 15% of the HS class

Admission to the Honors Program is not based solely on any one of these criteria. The faculty reviews applications for admission and makes a recommendation based on all factors.

What scholarships are available?

Students admitted to the UA Fort Smith Honors Program receive generous scholarship offers including full-tuition and books. In addition, Honors students will have priority on campus housing and are eligible for financial assistance. The four-year, full-tuition and book scholarships are renewable from semester-to-semester if a GPA 3.25 is maintained, 30 or more credit hours are earned during spring and fall semesters, and the student continues in the program. A student must be full-time (15 or more credit hours per semester) in order to receive an Honors Scholarship.

What are the requirements for a Bachelor’s degree with Honors?

All Honors student must complete a minimum of 27 credit Hours in Honors courses to earn an Honors designation on the Bachelor’s degree. In addition the student’s overall GPA must be 3.5 or higher and an honors thesis must be presented to the faculty. During the freshman and sophomore years, twenty-one hours is completed including College Seminar, one interdisciplinary honors seminar (4-7 hrs), and 11-14 hours of additional Honors general education courses. Interdisciplinary Honors Seminars are only offered in spring semester and topics will alternate from year to year. Other general education Honors courses will be offered in both fall and spring semesters.

A minimum of 27 credit hours of Honors courses to include:

• Honors College Seminar (IDS 1203; 3 cr. hrs.)
• One Interdisciplinary Honors Seminar (4-7 hrs each)
• Honors General Education Courses (11-14 cr. hrs or more)
• Honors Research Colloquium (Junior year; 3 cr. hrs.)
• Honors Senior Thesis (Senior year; 3 cr. hrs.)
• Overall GPA 3.5+
• Completion of a Senior level research project in the student’s major field of study (Senior Thesis). The research will be presented to the Honors Faculty at a public forum. The research also may be presented at a regional or national conference.

What is an Honors Thesis?

The Honors Thesis involves completion of a senior-level research (or creative) project in the student’s major field of study. The project will be presented to the Honors faculty at a public forum and may also be presented at a regional or national conference.

Can you take just one Honors course?

Yes, you can take an Honors course if you have a GPA of 3.25 or higher in twelve hours of college level work and receive permission from the professor and program director.

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To obtain more information, contact:
Admissions and School Relations, University of Arkansas - Fort Smith,
PO Box 3649, Fort Smith, Arkansas 72913;
479-788- 7120;
or call Dr. Henry Rinne, Director, University Honors,
479-788-7545; email hrinne@uafortsmith.edu.

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