Honors/Thesis

Description & Benefits

The UNG Honors Program cultivates a community of academically motivated students who seek opportunities to enhance their learning experience. Through the Honors Program, students participate in research projects, volunteer with community organizations, study abroad, and develop leadership skills. Currently, the Honors program is offered on the Gainesville and Dahlonega campuses only. While earning Honors Program graduation distinction is an honor conferred to Bachelor’s degree graduates, we welcome both Dual Enrollment and Associate- degree seeking students to join the program.

Honors program students benefit from smaller class sizes in Honors courses, priority enrollment, access to faculty and peer research mentors, rigorous courses, and guidance in pursuing national awards and applying for graduate schools. Students may also apply for funding to support study abroad or self-directed research. Honors program students on the Dahlonega campus may also choose to live on the Honors Residence Hall in their first year at UNG. Finally, select students are chosen each year to receive Honors Program scholarships.

The program is above all interested in supporting individual goals and excellence; through engaging programming and courses, UNG’s Honors Program fosters an environment of support and challenge to aid students in fulfilling their individual professional, civic and personal aspirations. Honors graduates routinely win major awards like the Fulbright and the Goldwater, are accepted into prestigious graduate programs, and/or gain employment with in-demand companies.

Program Requirements

To earn the distinguished honors graduate designation, students must maintain an institutional 3.2+ GPA, earn a minimum of 21 Honors credits (accepted Honors credits transferred from other institutions may count toward this minimum), and complete an Honors Thesis or Honors Capstone Defense (or director- approved alternative, e.g., an National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates(REU). (Students enrolled in 3-2 dual degree engineering pathway programs (Regents Engineering Pathway Program, ), may earn the Honors designation after earning 15 UNG Honors credits, completing the UNG Honors Thesis or Capstone Defense, and fulfilling all graduation requirements of both UNG and their transfer institution.)

All incoming students with 30 hours or less are strongly recommended to complete the HNRS 1000 course within their first 30 hours at UNG. This course introduces students to the Honors community. (Students who enter the program with 60 credits or more are exempt from taking HNRS 1000.) In both fall and spring throughout their time in the Honors program, students will be enrolled in HNRS 1100, a zero credit tracking course that ensures students remain active members of the Honors program.

As Honors thesis work may span more than one semester, students may apply for an “IP” for up to three semesters. Students must finalize the thesis within these three semesters or file an extension with their honors director if additional time is required.

Students who (1) fail to maintain the minimum 3.2 UNG GPA or (2) fail to maintain active membership in the program (including making progress towards Honors graduation distinction) for multiple semesters will be placed on Honors Program probation.

Application & Selection

The Honors Program accepts applications from new students, current UNG students, and Dual Enrollment students. Please see the website for the most up-to-date information on application deadlines by campus. To be eligible to apply to the honors program, first-semester, first-year students should demonstrate an overall high school GPA of at least a 3.5 and excellence in leadership and service. If submitted, SAT and ACT scores will be considered as part of the holistic Honors Program application review process. Previous honors students have earned an SAT score of 1200 or higher and/or an ACT of 25 or higher. However, these are not hard limits and student who demonstrate strong measures of success in academics, leadership, engagement, and/or community service will receive full consideration. Current college student applicants must have an overall college GPA of at least 3.2 in a minimum of at least 12 earned college hours to apply and have at least one faculty member provide a recommendation.

The Honors Program typically accepts applications during the academic year from current UNG students and transfer students. Prospective first-year, first-semester students are encouraged to apply by January 15 for priority consideration or by March 1 for regular consideration of the year prior to their enrollment.

All Honors Program applications are reviewed by a committee comprised of faculty and current Honors students. Students who submit Honors Program applications are automatically considered for Honors program scholarship funding. Note that to be eligible for the Choate Family Presidential Scholarship or the William P. Roberts scholarships, students must demonstrate an SAT of 1300 or higher and/or an ACT of 29 or higher. Students may transfer between the Dahlonega and Gainesville Honors programs so long as they have demonstrated success in an Honors course.

Honors Courses

Honors routinely offers several HNRS prefix courses designed to support students in completing their Honors coursework. Listed below are the core courses offered. In addition to the selection of HNRS prefix courses listed below, Honors offers an array of other designated Honors courses to meet student needs. Honors offers a rotating schedule of stand-alone 1000 and 2000 level courses on each campus depending on department availability. These courses are indicated with an “H” suffix. In addition, the Honors program offers several embedded courses and the opportunity to upgrade a course for Honors credit through an Honors Contract Course. Honors Contracts must be submitted for approval to the director on your campus. Please see the Honors Website for the request form and timeline. Finally, up to 9 hours of study abroad coursework may be awarded honors credit on a case-by-case basis.

Courses

Honors

Thesis

THS 3999 - Thesis Writing & Defense