Honors College Requirements
Are you considering the Honors College at Grand Canyon University? As part of the Honors College you will have access to signature programming that promotes career readiness, professional and leadership development, and networking and mentorship with prominent industry leaders, esteemed faculty and national honors societies. 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.
The application deadline for students starting in the fall term is Aug. 1, and Dec. 1 for students starting in the spring semester.
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.
Interested in applying to the Honors College? Speak with your university counselor to see if you meet the eligibility criteria or if you may qualify for automatic enrollment into the program.
The application deadline for the upcoming academic year is Aug. 1 for students starting in the fall and Dec. 1 for students starting in the spring semester.
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 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 or email us at gcuhonors@gcu.edu for more information or speak with your university counselor.
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 who meet the following criteria. A secondary application is required to be considered.
Applicants must have applied and been accepted to GCU for general admissions prior to applying for the Honors College Academic Excellence and Servant Leadership Scholarship. Additional scholarship eligibility criteria include all of the following:
Application Materials
- Complete online application form with short answer questions
- Unofficial high school or college transcript
- Activity and/or professional resume
- Professional headshot
- Two- or three-minute video
Video Prompt: The video submission allows you to showcase what makes you, YOU. Videos will not be reviewed based on professional video quality or skills. However, they will be reviewed based on the quality of responses and creativity. In addition to the general prompt above, please choose three of the six questions below to answer in your scholarship video:
1. What social justice or global issue are you most passionate about, and what have you done or would like to do to advocate and/or contribute to the cause?
2. What are you most excited about being an honors student and/or what are you most nervous about being an honors student?
3. Describe the greatest accomplishment you have achieved so far.
4. If we were to connect with your high school teachers, coaches, club leadership, work supervisors or your peers, what would they say about you?
5. What do you want to accomplish in your life?
6. Tell us something about yourself that may not be clear from your application materials.
- IMPORTANT NOTE: Please upload your video to YouTube and mark the link “unlisted” to allow viewing of your video without the need for a password. Submit your video link in the online application form.
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.
Honors College Graduates
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
