Honors Study • Eligibility • Registration • Graduation Distinctions
The Honors Programs are designed to promote achievement and growth through a flexible curriculum. In line with this philosophy, the Honors Programs provides numerous options for Honors credit, so as to allow each student to create a curriculum specifically suited to their needs. In addition to earning credit through regular, scheduled Honors courses, students may earn Honors credit in the following ways:
Honors Credit for Advanced Placement
Many students who participate in the Honors Programs have a significant number Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate credits. Students who score well on AP or IB tests may apply a limited amount of this credit towards the Foundation Honors or University Honors graduation distinctions. Up to seven credit hours of credit may be applied to Foundation Honors and up to 12 credit hours may be applied to University Honors. To qualify, AP test scores must be one point higher than the minimum required for credit at Texas A&M; IB test scores must be two points higher. AP Credit Guidelines.
Graduate Courses for Undergraduate Credit
Any graduate course work taken at Texas A&M for undergraduate credit is automatically considered as Honors credit. Note that graduate credit hours earned toward an undergraduate degree may not be used again toward a graduate degree.
Honors Candidacy
Students who have completed nine credit hours of Honors course work in residence are designated "Honors Candidates," a status that provides increased options for Honors study. Honors Candidates may apply for Honors Course Contracts, Honors Independent Study, and the University Undergraduate Research Fellows Program.
Honors Course Contracts allow Honors Candidates to receive Honors credit for a regular, upper-level (i.e. 300 or 400-level) courses. To qualify, a student
makes arrangements with the professor teaching the course,completes an application, and executes the proposed activities, which should augment the student’s experience in the class. Honors credit will be applied to the student’s transcript after final grades for the class have posted. Applications for Honors Course Contracts are due by the 12th class day of the semester. For further information, consult the application, which is available in the Honors Programs office or on the Forms & Downloads page.
Students who intend to conduct an indepedent research or study project should apply for Honors Independent Study. An Honors Candidate who wishes to pursue Honors Independent Study must 1) identify a professor to serve as advisor and develop a semester-long plan of study or research, 2) complete and submit an application for Honors Independent Study, 3) execute the project. Honors credit will be applied to the student’s transcript after final grades have posted. Applications for Honors Independent Study are due by the 4th class day of the semester. For further information, consult the application, available on the Forms & Downloads page.