2020-2021 Undergraduate Bulletin [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Lewis Honors College
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Christian M. M. Brady, D.Phil. (Oxon.) is the T.W. Lewis Dean of the Lewis Honors College.
The Lewis Honors College at the University of Kentucky is integral to the University’s commitment to excellence in undergraduate education. Through its special curriculum and related academic activities, the College provides a challenging course of instruction for outstanding, highly motivated students.
The mission of the Lewis Honors College is to better the Commonwealth of Kentucky and the world by helping students to explore their purpose, develop intellectually, and lead with integrity.
Selection of Honors Students
The Lewis Honors College seeks students with intellectual curiosity, demonstrated academic achievements, and leadership potential. Admission to Honors is competitive; students may apply as high school seniors or as current UK students. For those applying as incoming first-year students, they must complete the application through the University’s Office of Undergraduate Admission. The Admissions Committee considers all aspects of an applicant’s record, including the student’s GPA, the academic rigor of high school courses, the quality of the essays, and extracurricular activities.
Entering students ideally have an outstanding high school grade-point average, having taken a challenging curriculum. The Admissions Committee places great weight on the strength of the application essays, as well as the evidence they provide of motivation to accept the challenges of Honors and contribute to the program.
Current students at UK (in their first or second year) or transfer students with one semester or more of academic study at a college or university (with at least four semesters remaining) may apply to the Lewis Honors College for Upper Level Admission (ULA). Applicants are asked to submit a copy of their college transcripts, an essay, and a writing sample, preferably disciplinespecific. ULA applicants must demonstrate strong academic performance at the college level (preferably a 3.6 GPA or better).
The Honors Curriculum
An Honors education at UK opens up an exciting world of inquiry, including research, education abroad, and service that will challenge students intellectually, provide access to the most creative minds at UK, and prepare participants for advanced study and to make a difference in the world upon graduation. The Honors curriculum requires a total of 30 credit hours in Honors course work. This includes the required 3-credit Foundations course, participation in at least six credit hours of Honors Experiences (typically research, education abroad, internship/co-op, or service learning), an Honors Thesis (for 3-credits), and the student’s choice of Honors course work offered campus-wide to fulfill the educational goals of the Honors student.
Program Requirements
UK students starting in Honors as first-year students must complete 30 credit hours in Honors courses, experiences, and an Honors Thesis.
Six Credits of Required Courses
*Students with credit for ENG 101 and ENG 102 before attending UK, can also meet this requirement by taking an appropriate COM course.
Twelve Credits of Honors Courses
Students choose 6 credits of lower-level Honors courses:
Students choose 6 credits of upper-level Honors courses:
**Must be approved by the Lewis Honors College.
Three Credits of Honors Elective
Any lower-level, upper-level or Honors experience course.
Six Credits of Honors Experiences
Students choose two or more experiences:
(may opt to do the same experience multiple times for a total of 6 credit hours)
Second Year
- One lower-level Honors course Credit(s): 3
- One Honors experience Credit(s): 3
Third Year
- Two upper-level honors courses Credit(s): 6
- Honors elective Credit(s): 3
Starting as a Second-Year Honors Student
Three Credits of Required Courses
Six Credits of Honors Courses
Students choose 3 credits of lower-level Honors courses:
Students choose 3 credits of upper-division Honors courses:
Three Credits of Honors Electives
Any lower-level, upper-level or Honors experience course.
Six Credits of Honors Experiences
Starting as a Junior Honors Student
(4-5) semesters remaining
Three Credits of Honors Courses
Students choose one:
Three Credits of Honors Electives
Students choose 3 credits of upper-level Honors courses:
Three Credits of Honors Experiences
Graduating with Honors
To graduate with Honors from the Lewis Honors College and have the University Honors designation on the final UK transcript and diploma, students must complete the requirements described above.
Special Opportunities
Students in the Lewis Honors College have many opportunities, both in and out of the classroom, to develop and demonstrate academic excellence. The small class size and method of instruction in Honors courses foster active learning. Informal conferences, special speakers, trips, and workshops allow students to explore topics and issues not regularly considered within University departmental offerings.
Students in the program may elect to live in the “Honors Quad,” which consists of Donovan, Johnson, Haggin, and Lewis Halls. Lewis and Donovan also have classrooms and offices. Lewis Hall is home to the Honors College’s main offices, the Scholars Lounge, and the Honors Café.
Extensive inclusive programming engaging students socially and intellectually are offered throughout the year. The social, service, and cultural activities organized by and for Honors students include the Lewis Honors College Ambassador Team (HCATs), a highly active peer mentoring team, and an active Honors College Student Council. Students will be encouraged to develop a portfolio over the course of their Lewis Honors College journey. This product of work will allow students to make critical connections between their Honors and major course work, career endeavors, and personal development. Content will include personal reflections, examples of academic work, a resume or vita, and references. The portfolio will serve as a demonstration of each student’s growth and accomplishments and can be shared with prospective graduate schools, employers, and professional organizations.
Honors students in good standing are eligible for a number of special grants and awards during and at the conclusion of their undergraduate career. These include grants to support independent research conducted in the U.S. or abroad and education abroad endeavors. Several awards are given to graduating students recognizing excellence in the various areas represented in our mission statement, service (Raymond Betts Crystal), research (Diachun Award), leadership, and academics (Evans Scholar and the Diachun Scholar).
Benefits
The greatest benefits Lewis Honors College students enjoy are intensified intellectual development and a heightened personal awareness of the individual’s place in their culture. It is a shared experience enabling students to develop close personal connections to their peers through residential living-learning opportunities and the many programs and activities of the Honors College, and to the Honors faculty and staff dedicated to mentoring their growth as passionate scholars, public intellectuals, and engaged citizens of their communities.
How to Apply
For admission as a first-year student, please visit www.uky.edu/honors/admissions or contact the Director of Recruitment. The application deadline for first-year admission is December 1.
For Upper Level Admissions, please visit www.uky.edu/honors/upper-level-admission or contact the Director of Academic Affairs. The application deadline for Upper Level Admissions is December 1 and April 1.
Lewis Honors College
1120 University Drive
Lexington, KY 40526-0104
Phone: 859-257-3111
Fax: 859-257-6428
www.uky.edu/honors/
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