LAH Programs

History

Since 1990 Liberal Arts Honors has provided gifted students with special opportunities for enriched learning and recognition at every level of their academic careers. Almost 800 students, including 140 freshmen, participate in the program each year. In addition to taking honors coursework focusing on reasoning, research, and writing, Liberal Arts Honors students are encouraged to study abroad and become global citizens. Nearly all participate in internships to help them build professional networks, and define themselves. Prospective students considering attending The University of Texas at Austin with a commitment to a Liberal Arts education are encouraged to visit campus, visit us, and attend a prospective student information session to experience first hand all that the Liberal Arts Honors Program has to offer!

Overview

The Liberal Arts Honors Program is home to a variety of honors opportunities within the College of Liberal Arts all with the objective to give some of the University's best students the tools they need to change the world. With small classes, top professors, individualized coursework, and an active learning community, Liberal Arts Honors broadens students' worldview and prepares them to lead. Students call this program the best of both worlds - the personal attention of a small liberal arts college with the resources of a major research institution.

Nearly 800 students participate in our programs each year, including our Liberal Arts Honors Scholars Program for incoming first year students, College Honors with upper-division Liberal Arts Honors classes, and the Humanities Honors major.

Liberal Arts Honors Scholars Program

Students apply to the Liberal Arts Honors Scholars Program when applying to UT as first year students. In addition to taking honors coursework focusing on reasoning, research, and writing, Liberal Arts Honors Scholars participate in a range of academic enrichment experiences which can include study abroad, research, internships, demonstrated leadership, and community service.

Upper Division Liberal Arts Honors (College Honors)

Any student pursing a major in the College of Liberal Arts, with the exception of Plan II majors, may qualify for graduation with Honors in the College of Liberal Arts by taking three upper division LAH courses. These are small, intensive, seminar style courses. No application is required, but enrollment in these courses is limited to students who have earned a cumulative UT GPA of 3.5 and who have completed of 60 credit hours. Students who meet these criteria will receive College Honors on their official UT transcript. 

Humanities Honors Program

The Humanities Honors major is an individualized, interdisciplinary course of study that cannot be adequately pursued by a single departmental major, double major, or dual degree. Applicants who have earned a 3.5 GPA in at least 30 (but not more than 90) credit hours at UT Austin may prepare a contract proposal in collaboration with the Humanities Honors Program advisor.

Departmental Honors

Each department in the College of Liberal Arts has an honors program for exceptionally accomplished upper-division students. A departmental honors student earns Special Honors by completing advanced undergraduate work and the preparation of an honors thesis in the senior year. Apply to the honors advisor in the major department.

Junior Fellows

Junior Fellows is a society of juniors and seniors from the University at large who are engaged in independent research projects under the direction of members of the faculty.

Please note: The Plan II Honors Program is not administered by the Liberal Arts Honors Programs office.