University Honors Scholar
Department website: https://www.atu.edu/honors
The University Honors Scholar designation represents ATU’s most comprehensive and immersive Honors experience. University Honors Scholars are selected through a competitive admissions process and participate in a structured, cohort‑based program that begins at entry to the University and continues through graduation.
Admission and Eligibility
The University Honors Scholar program is designed for high‑achieving high school seniors entering ATU. Students are considered for University Honors as part of their ATU admissions application by the priority deadline.
To be eligible, applicants must have:
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A cumulative high school GPA of 3.5 or higher, and
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Either placement in the top 10% of their graduating class or an ACT composite score of 27 or higher (or SAT or CLT equivalent)
Selection is based on a holistic review that includes a written essay and at least one interview.
Program Expectations
University Honors Scholars complete Honors‑specific courses tailored to their academic abilities and interests. Program expectations increase in responsibility, leadership, and engagement across each academic year:
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Sophomore Year: Completion of volunteer or service‑based projects
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Junior Year: Engagement in structured peer support roles, such as mentoring or tutoring
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Senior Year: Completion of a Senior Honors Project developed with the support and guidance of a faculty mentor, and presentation at the Annual ATU Research Symposium
The curriculum for the University Honors Scholar program is prescribed and outlined in the program requirements section of the catalog.
Benefits and Recognition
University Honors Scholars receive enhanced academic and campus opportunities, which include:
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Competitive stipends, in addition to designated academic scholarships¹
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Preferred preregistration and housing selection
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Participation in the Honors Living/Learning Community
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Opportunities for individually directed study with faculty
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Special recognition at commencement
¹ See Scholarships > First-Time Students Academic Scholarships in this catalog for stipend eligibility and renewal requirements.
| Freshman | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| HONR 1003 | Honors Inquiry and Dialogue | 3 |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Spring | ||
| Honors Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Sophomore | ||
| Fall | ||
| HONR 2000 | Honors Civic Engagement | 0 |
| Honors Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Spring | ||
| HONR 2000 | Honors Civic Engagement | 0 |
| Honors Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Junior | ||
| Fall | ||
| HONR 3000 | Honors Peer Support | 0 |
| Honors Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Spring | ||
| Select Faculty Mentor and Write Proposal for the Senior Honors Project | ||
| Honors Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Senior | ||
| Fall | ||
| HONR 4093 | Senior Honors Project | 3 |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Spring | ||
| HONR 4090 | Senior Honors Presentation | 0 |
| Hours | 0 | |
| Total Hours | 21 | |
- 1
Honors Electives include BLAW 2133 Honors Legal Environment of Business, ECON 2103 Honors Principles of Economics I, ENGL 2183 Honors Introduction to Film, ENGL 2023 Honors World Literature, HIST 1543 Honors World History to 1500, HIST 2043 Honors United States History to 1877, HONR 3511 Honors Advanced Special Topics, HONR 3512 Honors Advanced Special Topics, HONR 3513 Honors Advanced Special Topics, HONR 4021 Honors College Research, HONR 4022 Honors College Research, HONR 4023 Honors College Research, LEAD 1013 Honors Introduction to Leadership, LEAD 2013 Honors Ethics in Leadership, PHIL 2043 Honors Introduction to Philosophy, PHYS 2914 Honors Calculus Based Physics I, or any course with an honors attribute.