Entering the Honors Program

A student may enter the Honors Program in several ways:

• An incoming first-year student is automatically designated an Honors student if they meet certain criteria:  a 3.8 GPA or top 10% of high school class, and a 29 ACT or 1340 SAT. Membership is voluntary and can be accepted or declined at the time of initial registration or at any time prior to the beginning of the fall semester.
• By earning a cumulative UD GPA of 3.8 or higher by the end of the first semester as a full-time student, a first-year student is welcome to join the Honors Program.
• By earning a cumulative UD GPA of 3.7 or higher by the end of the first year as a full-time student, a rising sophomore is welcome to join
  the Honors Program.
• As a transfer student entering UD after one to two years at another institution with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.7 or higher, a student may apply directly to the University Honors Program. Entrance into the Program and transferring Honors credits will be negotiated on a case-by-case basis.

Maintaining Membership

To remain in the Honors Program and be eligible for its benefits, an Honors student who entered their first year must:

• Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.6 
• Earn 6 Honors credits by the completion of 60 credit hours.
• Earn 9 Honors credits by the completion of 75 credit hours.
• Earn 12 Honors credits by the completion of 90 credit hours.
• Earn the minimum Honors credits required by the chosen diploma option by graduation.
• Exhibit responsible and respectful behavior, including academic honesty and a record free of disciplinary issues that cause concern to the University community.

Earning Honors Credit

• Honors students average roughly one Honors course per semester--courses which are simply Honors sections of classes that will complete degree requirements.
• Students in the Core Program earn a designated number of Honors credits for completing the Core sequence of courses.
• To earn Honors credit for an Honors course, students must earn a "B" or better.

 Diploma Options

Honors Diploma Option 1: Courses-Only 

• Earn at least 18 Honors credits (six Honors courses)

Honors Diploma Option 2: Thesis 

• Complete a 6-credit hour Honors thesis
• Earn at least 12 Honors credits (four Honors courses)

Honors Diploma Option 3:  Honors with Distinction 

• Complete a 6-credit hour Honors thesis
• Earn at least 18 Honors credits (Six Honors courses)

 Access to Benefits

 An Honors student may experience a probationary period when most Honors benefits are suspended:

• An Honors student with fewer than 50 credit hours as a first-year student and with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 but less than 3.6 will automatically be placed on a one-year probationary period. Reinstatement occurs if the student raises their cumulative GPA to a minimum of 3.6 by the end of the student's sophomore year.
• An Honors student who is currently taking or who has completed Honors thesis research credit hours but whose cumulative GPAs has fallen below 3.6 can maintain probationary Honors Program membership providing that it is not the semester of graduation, and providing that the student still has the possibility of meeting all the requirements to graduate with either the Honors or Honors with Distinction diploma.

A student who does not continue to meet the requirements of the Honors Program will lose membership and access to all benefits.