Overview

The Honors Program offers academically talented undergraduates on the Tennessee campus an opportunity to enhance their university experience through service, cross-cultural experience and engagement, undergraduate research, and regional cultural events. Participants enjoy a rich and rigorous educational experience that provides excellent preparation for the job market, graduate school, seminary. Incoming freshmen and rising sophomores who meet the requirements may apply for admission to the program, which begins every fall and spring term.

Admission requirements include:

  • Cumulative grade point average of 3.6 or higher (all applicants)
  • ACT score of 27 or higher or SAT score of 1290 or higher (incoming freshmen)
  • Three letters of reference – with an academic focus (all applicants)
  • Application essay (all applicants)
  • Interview with Honors Program Director (all applicants)

Benefits

Students enrolled in the Honors Program receive academic, social, and practical benefits, including:

  • Deeper and broader learning in designated classes
  • Opportunity to work with a faculty mentor to conduct senior research project
  • Study abroad and/or cross-cultural encounters as part of the program
  • Opportunities to serve the city of Knoxville in meaningful and productive ways
  • Honors recognition transcripts
  • Honors Colloquiums
  • Off-campus events each academic year
  • Early registration
  • Waiver of extra charges for a term overload
  • Waiver of extra charges for a course audit
  • The camaraderie of program membership

Each year Honors students choose from a variety of on-campus and off-campus cultural experiences, such as the theater, ballet, symphony, literary events, and conferences. Honors students must attend at least two performances or events each academic year, ideally one per semester. The University pays admission fees and arranges group transportation. Students are welcome to participate in more than the required number of group field trips but must pay their own admission for extra ticketed events. In addition to special events, students visit regional museums or sites that have historic, cultural, or scientific significance.

Examples include:

• American Museum of Science and Energy (Oak Ridge, Tennessee)
• Appalachian Ballet Company (Knoxville, Tennessee)
• Beck Cultural Exchange Center and Museum (Knoxville, Tennessee)
• Bijou Theater (Knoxville, Tennessee)
• Cades Cove (Great Smoky Mountains National Park)
• Clarence Brown Theatre (Knoxville, Tennessee)
• East Tennessee Historical Center (Knoxville, Tennessee)
• Ijams Nature Center (Knoxville, Tennessee)
• Knoxville Botanical Gardens (Knoxville, Tennessee)
• Knoxville Museum of Art (Knoxville, Tennessee)
• Knoxville Opera (Knoxville, Tennessee)
• Knoxville Symphony Orchestra (Knoxville, Tennessee)
• McClung Museum (University of Tennessee)
• Oak Ridge National Laboratory (Oak Ridge, Tennessee)
• Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies (Gatlinburg, Tennessee)
• Zoo Knoxville (Knoxville, Tennessee)

Academic Elements

Like other baccalaureate students, Honors Program participants must complete the Arts & Sciences Core, the Bible & Theology Core, and at least one professional major or minor. All Honors Program members complete the following academic requirements:

The Honors Program consists of the following courses: (14 credits)

HUMN 1603 Service Learning and Change (3) (Differentiated for Honors students through Honors Colloquiums)

HUMN 2013 Cross-Cultural Experience (3) (Differentiated for HP students through Honors Colloquiums & course contracts)

HONR 2100 Honors Colloquiums (2)

3/4000-Level Course Related to Cross-Cultural Experience (3)

4000-Level Undergraduate Research Project (3)

TOTAL CREDITS: 14

For more information, including admission requirements to the program, review our academic catalog or contact Dr. April Kilinski, director of the Honors Program.