2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Lewis Honors College
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Christian Brady, Ph.D., is Dean of the Lewis Honors College.
The Lewis Honors College at the University of Kentucky is integral to the University’s commitment to excellence in undergraduate education. Through its special curriculum and related academic activities, the College provides an enriching academic learning experience for outstanding, highly motivated students.
The mission of the Lewis Honors College is to better the Commonwealth of Kentucky and the world by helping students to explore their purpose, develop intellectually, and lead with integrity.
Selection of Honors Students
The Lewis Honors College seeks students with intellectual curiosity, demonstrated academic achievements, and leadership potential. Admission to Honors is competitive; students may apply as high school seniors or as current UK students. Students applying as incoming first-year students must complete the application through the University’s Office of Undergraduate Admission. The Admissions Committee considers all aspects of an applicant’s record, including the quality of the essays, the academic rigor of high school courses, the unweighted GPA, the level of extracurricular activities involvement, and awards and recognitions.
Current students at UK (in their first or second year) or transfer students with one semester or more of academic study at a college or university (with at least four semesters remaining) may apply to the Lewis Honors College for Upper Level Admission (ULA). Applicants are asked to submit a copy of their college transcripts, an essay, a letter of recommendation from a faculty member, and a writing sample (preferably discipline-specific). ULA applicants must demonstrate strong academic performance at the college level (preferably a 3.6 GPA or better).
The Honors Curriculum
An Honors education at UK opens up an exciting world of inquiry that may include research, education abroad, and service. Students are challenged intellectually and have access to creative and dedicated faculty who teach in small classes. The program prepares students for advanced study and to make a difference in the world upon graduation. The Honors curriculum requires a total of 30 credit hours in Honors course work. This includes the required 3-credit Foundational Seminar course, participation in at least 6 credit hours of Honors Experiences (typically research, education abroad, internship/co-op, or service learning), an Honors Thesis (for 3 credits), and the student’s choice of Honors course work and electives offered campus-wide. Students can contract with faculty members to do independent studies or to add Honors components to existing courses.
Program Requirements
UK students starting in Honors as first-year students must complete 30 credit hours in Honors courses, experiences, and an Honors Thesis.
Required Courses
Students choose 6 credits of required courses:.
Lower-Level Courses
Students choose 6 credits of lower-level Honors courses:
Upper-Level Courses
Students choose 6 credits of upper-level Honors courses:
Honors Elective
Students choose 3 credits of any lower-level, upper-level or Honors experience course.
Honors Experiences
Students choose two or more experiences for a total of 6 credit hours.
GPA Requirement
Honors students must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.40. Probationary status will be applied to Honors students falling below this threshold. Students who have not emerged from probationary status after two consecutive semesters by establishing a cumulative GPA of 3.40 or above will be dismissed from the Honors College.
Suggested Distribution of Honors Courses Across the Four Year Plan
Second Year
- One lower-level Honors course Credit(s): 3
- One Honors experience Credit(s): 3
Third Year
- Two upper-level honors courses Credit(s): 6
- Honors elective Credit(s): 3
Starting as a Second-Year Honors Student
(6-7 semesters remaining)
Lower-Level Honors Course
Students choose 3 credits of lower-level Honors courses:
Upper-Level Honors Course
Students choose 3 credits of upper-level Honors courses:
Honors Elective
Students choose 3 credits of any lower-level, upper-level or any lower-level, upper-level or Honors experience course.
Honors Experiences
Students choose two or more experiences for a total of 6 credits:
Starting as a Junior Honors Student
(4-5 semesters remaining)
Required Honors Course
Students choose one of the following for 3 credits:
Honors Electives
Students choose 3 credits of upper-level Honors courses:
Honors Experiences
Students choose 3 credits from the following:
Graduating with Honors
To graduate with Honors from the Lewis Honors College and have the University Honors designation on the final UK transcript and diploma, students must complete the requirements described above.
Special Opportunities
Students in the Lewis Honors College have many opportunities, both in and out of the classroom, to develop and demonstrate academic excellence. The small class size and method of instruction in Honors courses foster active learning. Informal conferences, special speakers, trips, and workshops allow students to explore topics and issues not regularly considered within University departmental offerings. The Center for Personal Development provides career and other mentoring.
Students in the program may elect to live in the “Community of Scholars” Living-Learning Program, located in Donovan, Johnson, Haggin, and Lewis Halls. Lewis Hall is home to the Honors College’s main offices, classrooms and the Scholars Lounge. Donovan also has classrooms and offices.
Extensive inclusive programming engages students socially and intellectually throughout the year. The social, service, and cultural activities organized by and for Honors students include the Lewis Honors College Ambassador Team (HCATs), a highly active peer mentoring team, and an active Honors College Student Council.
Honors students in good standing are eligible for a number of special grants and awards during and at the conclusion of their undergraduate career. These include grants to support independent research conducted in the U.S. or abroad and education abroad endeavors. Several awards are given to graduating students recognizing excellence in the various areas represented in our mission statement, service (Raymond Betts Crystal), research (Diachun Award), leadership, and academics (Evans Scholar and the Diachun Scholar).
Benefits
The greatest benefits Lewis Honors College students enjoy are intensified intellectual development and a heightened personal awareness of the individual’s place in their culture. It is a shared experience enabling students to develop close personal connections to their peers through small classes, programming, and residential living-learning opportunities. Students also connect with Honors faculty and staff, who are dedicated to mentoring their growth as passionate scholars, public intellectuals, and engaged citizens of their communities.
How to Apply
For admission as a first-year student, please visit www.uky.edu/honors/admissions or contact the Director of Recruitment. The application deadline for first-year admission is December 1.
For Upper Level Admissions, please visit www.uky.edu/honors/upper-level-admission or contact the Director of Undergraduate Studies. The application deadline for Upper Level Admissions is December 1 and April 1.
Lewis Honors College
420 Hilltop Drive
Lexington, KY 40508
Phone: 859-257-3111
Fax: 859-257-6428
honors.uky.edu
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