UAT Honors immerses you in the advanced practice and in-depth exploration of technology development and problem-solving to propel you in your pursuit of technology innovation. UAT Honors tracks are available to new and current students.
The UAT Honors Program offers students a unique opportunity to challenge themselves academically, engage in meaningful research, and build professional skills that prepare them for success after graduation. Through a combination of rigorous coursework, collaborative projects, and exclusive program events, Honors students gain experiences that go beyond the traditional classroom.
Success in the UAT Honors Program requires dedication, curiosity, and a commitment to academic excellence. Students are expected to maintain high standards while taking advantage of the program’s unique learning opportunities.
UAT Honors students have the opportunity to take specialized courses that go beyond the standard curriculum, allowing them to explore topics in greater depth and apply their learning in meaningful ways. These courses replace their standard counterparts to provide a more challenging and enriching academic experience.
The UAT Honors Program may raise a few questions as you explore your academic options. Below are answers to some of the most common questions from prospective and current students.
There are two paths you can take to join UAT's Honors program:
They are not mutually exclusive. Graduating from UAT while meeting the requirements of the Honors program makes one eligible for an Honors Diploma in addition to earning any other scholarly distinctions. An Honors student could therefore receive both an Honors diploma and graduate with distinction.
With professor approval, students who complete Honors work in eligible courses prior to qualifying for Honors can receive credit for prior classes after entry into the program. This is possible because key assignments in most UAT core classes have a more rigorous option that can be satisfied regardless of one’s current Honors status. So, for example, a student in ENG101 who meets the Honors requirements for both the Career Development and Multimodal Essays prior to being officially accepted into the program will be retroactively credited upon acceptance.
Honors students engage in more rigorous study and gain earlier access to mentorship in their respective fields through assignments tailored to foster engagement between students, participating professors, and industry professionals. Honors objectives and challenge events also cultivate leadership and innovation that can lead to a stronger SIP presentation prior to graduation. Lastly, Honors students gain access to a community of like-minded individuals who participate in UAT sponsored social events, such as field trips, movie nights, and competitions.
After entry into the program, Honors eligibility is predicated on maintaining at least a 3.2 GPA. Falling below this threshold for more than one semester may result in academic probation. This process affords students the opportunity to maintain and—if necessary—regain their eligibility without immediately losing access to their benefits.
As of January 2026, Online and hybrid students who are able to meet the same academic requirements as on-campus students can apply for entry into Honors and receive the same benefits. Students who are in the Honors Program but not living on UAT's Tempe campus may also participate in Honors-sponsored events.
Honors students must be able to complete 21 credits within the structured program to be eligible to receive an Honors diploma. With this in mind, applying too many transfer credits to your degree or earning too many credits in UAT classes without completing the Honors objectives could lead to a situation where completing the program would be impossible. If you are interested in Honors but are unsure about completed credits, please contact Student Services at studentservices@uat.edu.
