Graduation Requirements

The Honors experience provides an enriched undergraduate program focusing on in-depth Honors work in their major, a broader exposure across the disciplines, and co-curricular opportunities that promote student development. Engagement in this full experience is recognized at graduation.

There are two graduation awards, which you may work towards simultaneously.

Honors Scholar in the Major represents in-depth study in your field. It requires Honors work in your major (or related), an approved thesis, engagement in your major field outside of the classroom, and a minimum GPA. This 15-credit award is designed to be completed in approximately 2 years.

University Honors Laureate is designed to encompass a 3 or 4 year Honors experience. It requires the completion of the Honors Scholar in the Major award plus an additional 15 Honors credits, a breadth of study across all 30 Honors credits, and additional co-curricular experiences.

Students who enter Honors as first- or second-year students are put on the path to earn both awards, while students who enter Honors in their third year will likely concentrate on Honors Scholar in the Major.

Old Honors Requirements: Entry to UConn prior to Fall 2018

Note: The following requirements are for students who entered UConn as degree-seeking undergraduates between Fall 2012 and Spring 2018, without any gaps in enrollment.

Honors Final Plan of Study – Old Requirements (due on the last day of classes in the semester before you graduate)

  • Old Honors Final Plan form.pdf students admitted to UConn prior to fall 2018. Submit this completed form through the UConn Quest Portal for approval from your Honors advisor, by the last day of classes in the semester before you graduate. (select “Honors Final Plan of Study – OLD REQUIREMENTS ONLY”)

The minimum requirements to graduate as an Honors Scholar are as follows:

Honors Credits

(At least 15 Honors credits required)

    – Honors in the Major (at least 12 Honors credits are required as follows):

  • 2000-level or above
  • At least 3 credits toward supervised Honors thesis/project;
  • Earned in the major or related as approved by the departmental Honors advisor
  • Completion of additional or specific departmental Honors requirements, if applicable
  • Credits used toward Sophomore Honors may not overlap with the Honors in the Major requirements
  • May not include ENGL 2011

    -Three (3) additional Honors credits earned at any level.

  • These three additional Honors credits may have been used toward Sophomore Honors.

Honors Breadth and Depth

(May be taken within above 15 Honors credits)

  • Completion of at least 3 Honors credits (of the 15) in an “Honors graded” or graduate course:
    May not be an Honors conversion, independent study work, or the Honors thesis
  • Honors credits must be taken in at least two subject areas as indicated by course subject code (i.e. HIST, ENGL, PNB, etc.) with at least three credits in two subject areas

GPA and Grade Requirements

  • Courses must be graded (no P/F and no S/U) with a B- or above to be eligible for Honors credits
  • Earn a cumulative degree GPA of at least a 3.40
  • Meet the departmental Honors GPA requirement (in the major or overall), if applicable

Thesis Submission