Honors Program

What is UPIKE Honors Program?

The honors program at the University of Pikeville will promote a culture of learning while providing its participants a variety of co-curricular activities meant to engage bright, promising students like yourself.  Students admitted to the honors program will progress through their regular curriculum while participating in four of the five honors focus areas prior to graduation. The program’s focus areas are: experiential learning, leadership, social justice, critical thinking, and creativity. Upon successful completion of the program, students will be recognized at graduation with honors medals.

UPIKE honors students are provided networking opportunities, leadership opportunities, social events and specialized advising.

ELIGIBILITY

• Incoming first-year students must have a 3.5 high school GPA or be in the top 10% of their graduating class, and have a composite ACT score of 26 or higher to apply.
• Transition students (currently enrolled UPIKE students not already admitted to the program) and incoming transfer students must have a 3.5 current cumulative college GPA to apply. Students must apply for admission to the program by the end of their third semester on campus to be considered.

Requirements

1. Students who enter the program in their first year should earn a minimum of two merits in their first year, four by the end of their sophomore year, and 7 by the end of their junior year.  In order to complete the Honors Program, students must earn 10 cumulative merits across three of the five areas of focus prior to graduation. This applies regardless of when the student was admitted to the program. Transfer and transition students may petition to receive credit for activities at previous institutions or prior to admission to the program. At least 60% of the overall merits must be earned at UPIKE.
2. To remain in good standing, students must maintain full-time status each semester. Additionally, students should have earned a 3.1 in their first semester as a freshman, and a 3.25 after their second semester.  By the end of their sophomore year, students should maintain a 3.5 GPA. Students whose cumulative GPA falls below the requirement may stay in the program on probation for one semester. Students may petition the Honors Advisory Committee for consideration of status in the program.
3. An electronic portfolio of student experiences will be used to mark progress through the program each year.