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Benefits of Honors

The Kugelman Honors Program offers exceptional advantages for students who choose to make this transformative journey. Explore the benefits of the program.

Four-Year Program Pathway

As an honors student, your academic journey will begin with two captivating first-year Honors Core requirements. Honors Core courses explore questions about being human, living in a community and in a biosphere, and examining big ideas. After your freshman year, you'll delve into thought-provoking Honors Seminars designed to foster cross-disciplinary thinking and cultivate dynamic problem-solving skills across multiple modalities.

In your senior year, the pinnacle of your academic pursuits awaits as you undertake the rigorous and transformative Honors Thesis. Under the expert guidance of a faculty thesis advisor, you will explore a subject, showcasing your expertise and passion. This scholarly accomplishment serves as your bridge to your chosen profession or graduate school, setting you apart as a distinguished graduate with a portfolio of exceptional academic achievements.

Two-Year Program Pathway

As an honors student in our two-year program pathway, your academic journey will begin with our Honors Core: Systems Thinking course requirement. This Honors Core course places an emphasis on systems thinking and interdisciplinary research. In your junior year, you'll delve into a thought-provoking Honors Seminar designed to foster cross-disciplinary thinking and cultivate dynamic problem-solving skills across multiple modalities.

In your senior year, the pinnacle of your academic pursuits awaits as you undertake the rigorous and transformative Honors Thesis. Under the expert guidance of a faculty thesis advisor, you will explore a subject, showcasing your expertise and passion. This scholarly accomplishment serves as your bridge to your chosen profession or graduate school, setting you apart as a distinguished graduate with a portfolio of exceptional academic achievements.

Honors students thrive on research and creative activity. All honors students have the opportunity to pursue independent research or creative projects and present their work at regional and national conferences. The Honors Program covers airfare, lodging, and registration costs for students traveling to honors conferences. We also work with UWF’s Office of Undergraduate Research to create even more opportunities for our students.

The Honors Program offers exclusive study abroad opportunities every summer. We routinely offer programs in Europe, South America, and Asia, allowing our students to develop a truly global perspective. Honors students receive a tuition waiver for study abroad seminars and are eligible to apply for scholarships to help offset travel costs.

Honors students are among the first to register for classes each semester, thanks to the privilege of Priority Registration. Being among a small number of undergraduates able to register ahead of their peers means better access to classes and a higher likelihood of getting a seat. Honors students also have access to dedicated advisors who help them navigate their honors requirements as undergraduates.

After completing six credit hours of honors coursework, students in the Honors Program are eligible to apply for exclusive scholarships that make it easier to afford all that honors and UWF offer.

Pace Hall is home to the Honors Living Learning Community (LLC). The Honors LLC fosters an inclusive, close-knit community. With access to honors faculty and staff, a central location on campus, and a built-in community of peers, there's no doubt that Pace is the place to be.


Honors Experience from Kugelman Honors Alumni

Caroline Gibble

"UWF proved to be the best decision of my life. Because UWF is a smaller school, I had more access to my professors. Some of the professors helped me to figure out what I wanted with my life and supported me as I navigated studying for the LSAT and applying to law school. I went to UF Law on (almost) a full scholarship, and I attribute that to the support I received at UWF."

Wadey Abdel Qader

"Joining the Kugelman Honors Program was one of the best decisions I made during my time at UWF. The opportunities and experiences were like none other offered on campus. The thesis presentation, conferences, scholarships and mentorship really made a difference for me as an undergraduate, and I’m still experiencing the benefits of honors even as a third-year medical student."