Honors College Requirements
Are you considering the Honors College at Grand Canyon University? As part of the Honors College at GCU, you will have access to exclusive honors clubs and organizations, national honors societies, signature programming that promotes career readiness, professional and leadership development, and networking and mentorship with prominent industry leaders and esteemed faculty. In addition, you have the opportunity to participate in local and global outreach programs, global study tours and honors mission trips throughout the year to cultivate a global mindset and to broaden your cultural awareness.
You can collaborate with esteemed faculty and honors peer mentors to promote academic achievement and to foster social engagement and community.
Join the Honors College today and partake in our enriching, interactive, hands-on learning environment founded on the principles of ethics, service, leadership, research and cultural awareness.
"I specifically chose to join the GCU Honors College because of the environment I experienced from my very first visit - an environment filled with like-minded individuals striving to become the best versions of themselves.
Through the Project Management Fellowship, I was given the opportunity to work on a professional project and gain experience I couldn't receive anywhere else. The opportunities and experience in the Honors College are second to none, and I didn't want to miss out!"
If you are interested in joining the Honors College, we invite you to apply. Your application will be reviewed holistically, based on both your academic achievements and your extracurricular involvements.
Admission Criteria
The application deadline for students starting in the spring semester is Dec. 1, and Aug. 1 for students starting in the fall term.
All students must complete the general admissions application to Grand Canyon University prior to starting the Honors College admissions application. Select students are eligible to waive the secondary honors admission application and may choose to enroll in the Honors College.
Candidates applying for the Honors College for the 2024-25 academic year and beyond must meet the following criteria:
Incoming Freshmen
Competency requirements:
- Admission into the university
Automatic acceptance, no secondary application required:
- Cumulative, unweighted high school GPA of 3.8 or greater
- OR ACT composite score of 31 or greater
- OR SAT score (combined verbal and math) of 1410 or greater
- Demonstrated passion for community service and leadership
Transfer Students
Competency requirements:
- Admission into the university
- Earned a minimum of 24 or more college credits prior to seeking admission into the Honors College
Automatic acceptance, no secondary application required:
- Cumulative college GPA of 3.8 or greater
- Actively enrolled in a college honors program or Phi Theta Kappa chapter
- Demonstrated passion for community service and leadership
All other students are eligible to apply for consideration.
Contact your university counselor for more information about your eligibility and enrolling in the Honors College.
How To Apply
Interested in applying to the Honors College? Speak with your university counselor to see if you meet eligibility criteria or if you may qualify for automatic enrollment into the program.
The application deadline for the upcoming academic year is Dec. 1 for spring start students and Aug. 1 for fall start students. Apply to the Honors College today.
Application Materials
As part of your application to the Honors College, upload and submit the following materials through the online application form:
- Personal Statement: Must be a typed document and no more than 750 words
- Your personal statement should define your academic and professional goals and explain how the Honors College can help you obtain those goals. Be sure to include other significant life experiences or examples that highlight your commitment to academic excellence, community service and leadership. Your personal statement should elaborate on your strengths and qualifications that may not be evident in your other admissions documents.
- Activity Resume
- Compile a one- to two-page activity resume to include all relevant employment experiences, co-curricular involvements, athletic or performance commitments, leadership roles, church engagements, community service projects and alike.
- Two letters of recommendation
- If not provided to the applicant directly, letters of recommendation can be electronically submitted to gcuhonors@gcu.edu.
- Letters of recommendation can be written by a current or former teacher, school administrator, employer, club or community leader or any non-family member or relative.
Accepting Your Seat
If you have been offered a seat in the Honors College and would like to accept it, call us at 855-GCU-LOPE for more information or speak with your university counselor. Don't forget to ask about our informational webinars and upcoming events, too!
The Honors College offers an extensive list of enriching opportunities for students in all programs. The following list is not all encompassing but does include an overview of our most popular programs, events and activities.
- Freshmen-only honors housing in The Grove's Juniper Hall and priority housing selection for continuing honors students in good academic standing with the Honors College
- Exclusive honors events including the annual Next Generation Leadership Conference, the Honors Banquet and the Honors Showcase
- Public Square Series for government, pre-law, political science and related majors
- Inside Entertainment Series for all arts, media and business majors and for all creatives
- Supportive community and special group of like-minded, high-achieving peers
- 10-week P.A.C. Professional Development Program
- 10-week Pre-Health Medical and Graduate School Preparation Program
- FLIGHT Peer Mentorship Program
- Opportunities for domestic and international internships and community service learning projects
- Annual short-term domestic and international global studies programs, honors-exclusive mission trips and traditional study abroad
- Honors leadership programs including the RISE Fellowship and Leadership in Action
- Local chapters for two national honors societies including National Society of Collegiate Scholars (NSCS) and Alpha Chi National College Honors Society (AX)
- Provost Speaker Series with industry leaders and esteemed professionals
- Purposeful and intentional assistance with career planning
- Honors research and project-based opportunities with faculty, staff, professional advisory board members and industry leaders
- Private meet-and-greet networking and hiring events with various employers and companies
- Free printing in TECH 57-325
- No additional fees or tuition charges
Scholarship Requirements
The Honors College Academic Excellence and Servant Leadership Scholarship is awarded to high-achieving students who have demonstrated impressive academic achievement and exceptional servant leadership. This is a competitive, application-based selection process. Although multiple awards are available at varying amounts, the award is not guaranteed to those that meet the following criteria. A secondary application is required to be considered.
Incoming Freshmen
Students who meet the following criteria are eligible to apply for consideration for this scholarship award. Scholarship eligibility criteria includes all of the following:
- 3.8 cumulative, unweighted high school GPA or greater
- Applicant displays a commitment to academic excellence, service, leadership and research
Transfer Students
Students who meet the following criteria are eligible to apply for consideration for this scholarship program. Scholarship eligibility criteria includes all of the following:
- 3.8 cumulative, college GPA or greater
- Currently enrolled and actively participating in a collegiate honors program
- Applicant displays a commitment to academic excellence, service, leadership and research
Applicants must have applied and been accepted to Grand Canyon University for general admissions prior to applying for the Honors College Academic Excellence and Servant Leadership Scholarship.
Learn more about the Honors College Scholarship.
Application Materials
- Complete online application form with short answer questions
- Unofficial high school or college transcript
- Activity and/or professional resume
- Two- or three-minute video
- Video Prompt: What makes you, YOU? Tell us a story. Share your personal strengths, weaknesses and unique attributes that set you apart from others. What are you most passionate about, and how does that relate to your personal and professional goals? If you could make an impact on your local or global community, what would you do and where would you start?
- IMPORTANT NOTE: If your video file is too large to upload on the online application form, please upload your video to YouTube and make the link public for viewing. Submit your video link in a Word document on the online application form.
Important Dates
- Application Opens: Sept. 1
- Priority Consideration Deadline: Oct. 15
- Secondary Consideration Deadline: Jan. 15
- Late Application Deadline: March 15
As a graduate from the Honors College, you will receive:
- Special Honors College regalia for commencement
- Notation in the commencement program
- Recognition from the provost during the commencement ceremony
- An Honors diploma
Honors Course Catalog
Honors students can customize their honors academic experience through honors-only cohorts and uniquely crafted electives, an honors addendum or through an honors enrichment contract. Honors students can also earn honors course credit through internships, service-learning projects and global studies programs. View the Honors College Course Catalog for more details on how to strategically customize your educational journey.
