There are multiple honors programs available to eligible students. Eligibility for one honors program does not necessarily qualify students for all honors programs; eligibility criteria varies by program. Students may qualify and choose to participate in multiple honors programs as long as they meet eligibility requirements.
Moody College Honors Program
The Moody College Honors Program is an intimate and rigorous four-year honors program dedicated to the cultivation of critical thinkers and transformative leaders. Learn more about Moody Honors.
University Honors (Moody Dean's List)
Each semester, undergraduates who complete a full course load and earn outstanding grades are recognized by inclusion on the University Honors list. Each time a student is included on the list, his or her official record also shows the award of University Honors for that semester. The list is compiled at the end of the fall and spring semesters but not at the end of the summer session. To be included, a student must earn at least forty-five grade points and a grade point average of at least 3.50 on courses completed in residence and must have no incomplete grades (symbol X).
Students who earn University Honors also are recognized on the Moody College of Communication Dean's List.
Please note that University Honors designation does not guarantee qualification for Graduating with Honors and is a separate designation than College Scholars, which requires additional criteria.
College Scholars (Honors Day)
On Honors Day each spring, the University designates outstanding students as College Scholars and Distinguished College Scholars, on the basis of registration and grade point average requirements for courses taken in residence at the University as specified below. A student is ineligible for honors recognition if, in the last two years, the student received sanctions under Subchapter 11-701 (a)(2)-(a)(14) of the Institutional Rules for (1) academic misconduct involving academic probation or higher, and/or (2) non-academic misconduct involving probation or higher.
These College Scholar students, who have distinguished themselves in their studies at The University, are invited to participate in ceremonies designed to celebrate academic achievement. There is a College Honors Convocation accompanied by a UT Campus-wide Honors Ceremony held in the beginning of April. Students may attend one or both ceremonies if they choose and must RSVP separately for each ceremony. There is a separate RSVP process for each ceremony. Eligibility is based on number of hours attempted as well as class rank based on in-residence UT GPA.
College Scholar
To be designated a College Scholar, a student must meet the following requirements:
- The student must be registered as an undergraduate student in the current semester. Students who hold an undergraduate degree or are registered in-absentia are not eligible.
- The student must have completed at least 30 semester hours of coursework in-residence at the University, and at least 60 semester hours of college coursework, including transferred work and credit by examination.
- The student must rank in the top 5-20% of their class* in each college or school** in which he or she is pursuing a major, based on in-residence cumulative grade point average.
- The student must have an in-residence university grade point average of at least 3.50.
- The student must not have received sanctions from the University in the last 2 years for academic or non-academic misconduct involving probation or higher.
Distinguished College Scholar
To be designated a Distinguished College Scholar, a student must meet the following requirements:
- The student must be registered as an undergraduate student in the current semester. Students who hold an undergraduate degree or are registered in-absentia are not eligible.
- The student must rank in the top 1-4% of their class* in each college or school** in which he or she is pursuing a major, based on in-residence cumulative grade point average.
- The student must have an in-residence university grade point average of at least 3.50.
- The student must not have received sanctions from the University in the last 2 years for academic or non-academic misconduct involving probation or higher.
*Please note that designation as a College Scholar or a Distinguished College Scholar will be based on eligibility calculations by the Office of the Registrar, as of 5 p.m. on the 20th class day of the semester in which the Honors Day Ceremony is held. No changes will be made to eligibility beyond the 20th class day.
** Please note that double majors enrolled in two schools/colleges must meet the GPA requirements for both schools/colleges in order to receive an Honors Day designation.
Graduating with Honors
Please note that Dean's List designations, University Honors designation, College Scholar designations, or completion of any other honors program does not guarantee qualification for Graduating with Honors. Learn more about Graduating with Honors. For further information, please contact the Student Advising Office or consult the Graduation with University Honors section of the General Information Catalog.
Consult your Undergraduate Catalog for more information about honors opportunities.