How to apply for the Honors Program

For automatic admission to the Honors Program you must meet one of the following requirements:

  1. minimum composite score of 29 on the ACT OR
  2. minimum combined score of 1290 on the Math and Reading sections of the SAT OR
  3. rank in the top 5% of your high school class

Please note: Honors Program admission criteria are verified through the university’s Student LOUIE System, and Honors will automatically offer admission to you if you are eligible. Admission offers are made through May 1 prior to the intended enrollment term; admission offers are not made for Spring semesters.

Petitioning admission to Honors

If you are close to the minimum admission requirements for the Honors Program, you have the option of petitioning the Honors admissions decision. To petition, you must submit:

  • an Honors application  
  • one letter of recommendation from someone familiar with your academic abilities
  • a resume or other list of accomplishments/activities
  • a brief (500 word) essay on one of the following topics:
        1. discuss a current local, national, or international news event that has affected your education
        2. describe your favorite book/text/class and its personal significance, as well as significance in other areas (social, political, cultural, etc)

Transfer student requirements

Incoming students to the Honors Program are considered "transfer students" when they are transferring 30 or more semester credit hours into NAU and have a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or above. Unofficial transcripts MUST accompany the transfer Honors application.

Current student requirements

If you do not meet the criteria for new or transfer admission, you may apply for the Honors Program after completing 12 credit hours of coursework at Northern Arizona University. The coursework to be considered for admittance must count toward liberal studies and/or toward major or minor requirements.

To be eligible for admission, you must have a cumulative Northern Arizona University grade point average of 3.50 or greater.