University Honors (UH) courses are the underpinnings of the Honors College experience. Traditionally small class sizes maximize meaningful academic discourse, relationship building, and faculty-student interactions, these courses allow students to explore a diverse array of topics while often granting general education credit.

Students may also pursue a University Honors (UH) Independent Study in a  subject area chosen in consultation with an Honors College faculty member who will supervise the project. Often, self-directed studies lead to conference presentations, publications, and other experiences unique to the student’s interests.

Unsure of how to make University Honors (UH) work for you?  Contact an Honors College advisor.

Departmental Honors courses are offered throughout colleges across the University, feature the most outstanding and committed faculty, and are limited to only Honors College students. These courses have a broader and enhanced scope of the course content, experience, and assessment. This is typically achieved through at least two of the following: oral and written work demonstrating greater depth of thought; papers or a project that requires more analysis, synthesis, evaluation and application of knowledge; higher-level readings; and/or in-depth discussions related to course content with the instructor. In addition to fulfilling Honors electives requirements, Departmental Honors courses may fulfill general education requirements or degree requirements.

Departmental Honors courses can be found by searching within the Academic Catalog.

 

Honors College students have the opportunity to earn Honors credit through Independent Study. Students interested must do the following:

– Review the University Honors Independent Study Guide in its entirety. (Honors Independent Study Guide PDF)

Connect with an Honors College faculty member whose background or area of expertise matches the topic/area you would like to further explore. (Faculty Page)

– Work with your selected Honors College faculty member to create a project proposal and submit the Honors College Independent Study as soon as possible.

  • Our expectations are that the Honors College faculty member will create and complete the project proposal application while the Honors College student submits the proposal form via MyBama.

– The Honors College Independent Study application must be submitted via the Academics tab in myBamaBefore submitting an Independent Study proposal form, please email the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs in the Honors College (clsmith17@ua.edu) to notify them of your intent. They will open the application portal for you to use.

– Honors College Independent Study proposals may not replicate or duplicate an existing course taught at The University of Alabama.

– Students may earn between one and six credit hours of UH Independent Study credit (e.g. 1 credit hour = 45 contact hours).

Please note the following when crafting a proposal:

  • Oral and written work should demonstrate greater depth of thought.
  • Proposals should show evidence of analysis, synthesis, evaluation and application of knowledge.
  • Honors students will attend required weekly or bi-weekly meetings with their Honors College faculty supervisor to discuss and review components of the University Honors Independent Study.
  • Proposals should be research-based and distinct from any existing course at The University of Alabama.

University Honors Independent Study proposals should exhibit the level of rigor and robustness expected for an Honors-level course and experience.

Independent Study applications for Summer 2022 are being accepted. The submission deadline for Summer 2022 is April 29, 2022.

We will not accept late applications for any reason.

For any questions about the registration process, please email the Honors College at honors@ua.edu.

Honors College students are encouraged to explore graduate courses in their major field.  The Accelerated Master’s Program (AMP) is an option in some departments for talented and highly motivated students who want to earn a bachelor’s and Master’s degree in five years. Through AMP, students begin their graduate studies during their senior year. To learn more about AMP, read about it on the Graduate School’s website.