Honors, Undergraduate Research and National Fellowships
Honors Academy
The Honors Academy provides a university-level honors experience open to undergraduates from all majors through the minor in Honors. The Honors Academy mission is to challenge high-achieving undergraduate students to develop the personal, professional and intellectual skills they will need to address tomorrow's multifaceted problems.
Admission to the Honors Academy
Students are admitted to the Honors Academy curriculum on a competitive basis. Incoming freshmen apply at the same time that they are applying for admission to the university. Continuing students may apply each spring for entry in the fall prior to completing 60 credit hours at Texas A&M. Transfer students are invited to apply as part of the continuing student application (for summer and fall entrants) or via a transfer student application in the late spring (for spring entrants).
Applications are evaluated on the basis of the student’s record of academic achievement and demonstrated potential for creativity, intellectual ability, imagination, curiosity, willingness to try new things and self-awareness. Once admitted to the Honors Academy curriculum, students are designated as “Honors Students” and may then access specific privileges and resources including additional advising, priority registration, professional development opportunities, contracting non-honors courses for honors credit and enrolling in graduate-level courses for undergraduate honors credit. Honors students also receive priority for the Honors Housing Community.
To remain in the program, all students (freshman and continuing students) must make progress toward their distinction and meet minimum co-curricular participation requirements. See the section on Maintaining Honors Status.
Continuing students with a minimum 3.5 cumulative GPA who have not applied or not been accepted to the Honors Academy may enroll in major- and major-aligned honors course work during their assigned registration time. Students who would like to meet with an Honors Academy advisor may sign up for an appointment through our online Honors Advising appointment system. All students interested in honors opportunities are encouraged to sign up for the honors weekly email bulletin.
Honors Minor Curriculum
Required Culminating Experience
Honors Courses
Honors students are afforded other avenues to earn honors credit in addition to regularly offered honors courses. Honors students may contract for honors credit or take graduate courses that count toward undergraduate degree requirements. Honors students should consult with Honors Academy advisors about these opportunities.
Maintaining Honors Status
To remain in the Honors Academy, honors students must:
- maintain a 3.5 cumulative GPA
- maintain a 3.25 GPA in honors coursework
- make progress toward curriculum requirements by taking at least 6 Honors credits per year
- submit three reflections each year on professional development engagement
Honors students who fail to meet any of these requirements will be given a semester of probation to correct any deficiencies. Honors students who fail to meet requirements after a semester of probation will be dismissed from the program. Students who are found responsible for an Aggie Honor Code violation that makes them ineligible to graduate with Latin Honors will be removed from the program.
Honors Student Services
Honors students have access to numerous special services and programs. Throughout the academic year, the Honors Academy coordinates recreational and community-building events, lectures and workshops. Honors students are invited to engage in leadership opportunities and contribute to the development of the Honors Academy through Honors Student Council and as members of the Honors Housing Community.
Honors students can take advantage of supplemental advising to help them identify ways to enrich their college experience and complete the requirements for the prestigious Honors Fellows distinction. Throughout their time in the Honors Academy, students are encouraged to take on challenging and enriching experiences such as undergraduate research, study abroad, service learning, capstone experiences, and application to nationally-competitive scholarships and fellowships. This program is uniquely designed to make honors students good candidates for opportunities coordinated through the Office of National Fellowships . These include scholar programs such as the Rhodes, Truman, and Goldwater Scholarships. They also include other prestigious opportunities such as the Fulbright Program for U.S. Students and the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program.
Information about upcoming opportunities for honors students appear regularly in our email bulletins.
Graduation with Honors
All Honors courses are designated on a student’s transcript demonstrating to future employers or graduate and professional admissions committees that the student has engaged with an enriched, challenging curriculum. Students who complete the Honors Academy curriculum and/or complete the Undergraduate Research Scholars program have these distinctions noted on their transcripts.
Undergraduates in some academic colleges and departments may pursue additional transcript distinctions (See the Honors Program webpage). These distinction requirements work in parallel with the Honors Academy minor but are separate and distinct from the Honors Academy. Many students elect to graduate with multiple distinctions from the Honors Academy, college, or departmental offerings. In general, all Honors transcript distinctions require that the student complete a substantial body of Honors coursework, hold a minimum cumulative Texas A&M GPA of 3.5, and a cumulative Honors course GPA of 3.25, and meet other program participation requirements. Students are encouraged to work through their college and/or departmental advisor to ensure satisfactory completion of the distinction requirements.
These Honors transcript distinctions are separate and distinct from “Latin Honors” such as cum laude, summa cum laude or magna cum laude which are conferred by the Office of the Registrar and are based upon cumulative GPA and residency requirements (See the Aggie One Stop Graduation with Honors webpage).
Undergraduate Research
The Office of Undergraduate Research at Texas A&M University enhances the undergraduate experience for all students across campus. Our initiatives foster connections between students, faculty, staff, as well as promote interdisciplinary collaboration and professional development. Our office meets the evolving needs of students, faculty and staff by helping shape campus-wide policies for undergraduate research, building programs that empower the Texas A&M community to engage in meaningful scholarly work, and expanding access to information and opportunities for undergraduates to engage in research activity.
Being involved in undergraduate research allows students to participate in a scholarly community of students with common interests, to learn more about their future professional field and to develop a close working relationship with acclaimed faculty. Research experiences make students more competitive for scholarships, internships, jobs, international opportunities, and admission to top graduate and professional programs. Perhaps most importantly, engaging in undergraduate research allows students to experience the excitement of working collaboratively to create new knowledge, solve cutting-edge problems and communicate more effectively—life skills that are increasingly valued in our world.
Campus-wide programs coordinated by the Office of Undergraduate Research include the Undergraduate Research Scholars thesis program, the Undergraduate Research Ambassadors outreach and the publication of Explorations: the Texas A&M Undergraduate Journal. The office offers informational sessions and workshops for undergraduate students on getting started in research, finding summer research opportunities, developing research presentations, and organizing thesis writing, as well as workshops for faculty and graduate students on mentoring undergraduate researchers.
The Office of Undergraduate Research also works with groups across campus to promote and facilitate activities that support undergraduate research opportunities, such as Summer Undergraduate Research Experiences, National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) programs, the Undergraduate Research Expo and the Undergraduate Research Scholars Symposium.
Workshops and Events
The Office of Undergraduate Research hosts informational sessions and workshops on undergraduate research for undergraduate students, graduate students and faculty. We also coordinate public events that celebrate and promote undergraduate research, providing venues for students to present their research projects, for faculty to recruit new student researchers and for recognition of research efforts by both students and faculty.
Grant, Proposal and Project Assistance
The Office of Undergraduate Research provides a wide variety of support services for undergraduate research programs, proposal development and implementation. Please contact the office directly for more information.
Undergraduate Research Scholars Thesis Program
Completion of the Undergraduate Research Scholars thesis program confers a stand-alone, university-level Honors distinction upon graduation regardless of whether the participant is a member of any Honors program. The two-semester (fall-spring) experience requires undergraduates to engage in an independent research project that culminates in a written undergraduate thesis to be published in the Undergraduate Research Scholars Capstone Collection in the Texas A&M OAKTrust Repository.
Students can apply as individuals or as a team up to five members. Students must secure a project supervised by an eligible Texas A&M faculty member prior to applying, as faculty advisor approval is required upon application and upon completion of the project. Check the program page on the Office of Undergraduate Research website for eligibility requirements. Students are selected for this program based on the quality of their project proposals and their academic records.
The thesis or scholarly product may be a traditional research thesis, a professional report approved by the faculty advisor or an accepted article in a professional journal. Theses may also include documentation of an exhibit, a performance or other product as determined by the faculty advisor in collaboration with the Office of Undergraduate Research Office. Students are required to complete a public presentation of their work, such as at the Undergraduate Research Scholars Symposium, Student Research Week or other venues. Students in the program must also meet specified thesis installment deadlines and formatting requirements.
Staff within the Office of Undergraduate Research support the students and faculty who participate in the program. While staff do not review research content, which is the responsibility of faculty advisors, they do provide students with thesis templates and formatting support, as well as other professional guidance and resources.
Undergraduate Research Ambassadors
The Undergraduate Research Ambassadors represent the Office of Undergraduate Research and work to inspire broader engagement in undergraduate research by educating and serving the Texas A&M University community and beyond. Undergraduate Research Ambassadors are available to share advice with fellow undergraduates on how to get started in research and help their peers find research projects, talk to faculty advisors, and make the most of their undergraduate research experience at Texas A&M.
The Office of Undergraduate Research seeks Ambassadors that will represent diverse academic disciplines across campus, including science, engineering, arts, humanities, business, social sciences and more. Undergraduates with a background in research, a GPA of 3.0 or higher, outstanding oral communication skills and the ability to describe research to a general audience are encouraged to apply to the program. They are trained in presentation and leadership skills, and participate in a variety of activities, including meeting with highly-placed members of the University Administration, distinguished faculty, outstanding alumni, prospective students and parents.
Students in the Undergraduate Research Ambassadors program will gain knowledge in networking, public speaking, leadership opportunities and will have increased competitiveness on graduate and professional school applications. Ambassadors often receive additional grant opportunities and other professional development experiences as a result of their involvement.
Explorations: The Texas A&M Undergraduate Journal
Explorations is an interdisciplinary, student-led journal guided by faculty and administrators that selects and publishes student-authored research, scholarly and creative pieces of general interest in any area. Explorations is composed of an editorial board made of students that work to accomplish the many facets of editing, publishing and marketing the journal while representing departmental diversity, critical thought and creativity. The call for new board members is early in the fall semester each year. The call for submissions begins in the fall semester and extends into the early spring semester.
Manuscript submissions go through a two-stage, double-blind, peer-reviewed process. First, synopses of prospective manuscripts are reviewed by faculty-student teams; second, full-length manuscripts are evaluated in another round of peer review. Authors of accepted pieces are paired with student board members who provide editorial assistance and formatting guidance. Explorations hosts a journal release event every fall to recognize all who were involved in the making of the latest volume.
Acceptance to the journal is highly competitive, and published articles include a wide range of academic fields, including music, creative poetry, forensics, cancer biology, astrophysics, nanomedicine, computer algorithms, business, geosciences, sociology, aerospace engineering, cultural anthropology and architecture. The target audience includes faculty, staff and students of Texas A&M University, other institutions of higher learning, as well as parents, former students and current high school seniors. To review recent volumes and to find upcoming deadlines, visit the Explorations: The Texas A&M Undergraduate Journal webpage.
Texas A&M Journal of Law & Society
The Texas A&M Undergraduate Journal of Law & Society is a student-led journal that publishes undergraduate student research in the areas of law, government, history, economics, public policy and other related topics. The call for new board members is early in the fall semester each year. The call for submissions begins in the fall semester and extends into the early spring semester.
Manuscript submissions go through a double-blind, peer-reviewed process by faculty-student teams. Authors of accepted pieces are paired with student board members who provide editorial assistance and formatting guidance.
To review recent volumes and to find upcoming deadlines, visit the Journal of Law & Society webpage.
Capstones
Capstones provides a year-long integrative experience that allows students to combine their career goals, majors and interests in faculty-mentored independent projects that focus on leadership, research, community service, teaching or performance.
The Honors Academy offers one year Capstone experiences to any junior or senior with a cumulative Texas A&M GPA of 3.0 or above. A listing of capstone options can be found at Capstones webpage.
The Undergraduate Teacher Scholars program allows students to collaborate closely with a Texas A&M University faculty member to create a one-credit hour seminar or to improve an existing course in collaboration with a faculty expert. The Teacher Scholar will have the opportunity to research, design and arrange the content of the seminar. The Teacher Scholar will be responsible for the presentation of class material under the supervision of the Texas A&M University supporting faculty member.
The Undergraduate Service Scholars program pairs students with community leaders to develop and carry out projects that benefit the greater community. The Undergraduate Service Scholars capstone allows the student to draw upon their undergraduate education to plan, coordinate and execute a project aimed at improving the community while learning about issues that affect that community.
The Undergraduate Performance Scholars program allows students to explore the impact of art on their academic career. Under the supervision of a working artist, students will create a performance project that creatively synthesizes their art and experience.
The Undergraduate Leadership Scholars program allows students to explore various theories of leadership, how a specific theory influences them personally and academically, and demonstrate the impact of applying those theories while serving as a leader in their respective student organizations.
All capstones require a proposal and timeline, two semesters engaging with the project, professional oversight by a Texas A&M faculty/staff member or similar expert, a public presentation, regular reflection and a scholarly project appropriate for the field. Students are selected for participation in these programs based on the quality of their proposals, their academic record and the recommendation of their faculty or community advisor.
The Office of National Fellowships
The Office of National Fellowships at Texas A&M University supports students in pursuing nationally and internationally competitive awards. Our office provides guidance throughout the application process, from identifying opportunities to developing strong application materials. We collaborate with faculty, staff and campus partners to create an environment where students can excel in their academic and professional aspirations. Through mentorship, advising and tailored resources, we help Texas A&M University students maximize their potential and achieve their goals.
About National Fellowships
National fellowships are highly competitive, merit-based awards that support undergraduate and graduate students in pursuing academic enrichment, research, public service, leadership development and international study. Funded by governments, foundations and nonprofit organizations, these awards recognize students with exceptional academic achievement, demonstrated leadership and a sustained commitment to service or research. National fellowships often provide financial support, professional development opportunities, and access to distinguished scholarly and professional networks, positioning recipients for advanced study and impactful careers.
We are eager to assist all Texas A&M students with the National Fellowships process. However, we also have awards that we emphasize in terms of our facilitation. We distinguish between two types of awards, namely, “core awards” and “non-core awards.”
Core Awards
Core awards are National Fellowships that require a campus nomination. For these awards, students need to apply through our internal campus process. These are awards that involve campus deadlines and review committees. These awards include the following National Fellowships:
- Rhodes Scholarship
- Marshall Scholarship
- Churchill Scholarship
- Truman Scholarship
- Barry Goldwater Scholarship
- Boren Scholarship and Boren Fellowship
- Fulbright U.S. Student Program
- Gilman Scholarship
- James C. Gaither Junior Fellows Program
- Udall Scholarship
- Freeman ASIA
- Astronaut Scholarship
- Knight Hennessy Fellowship
- Critical Language Scholarship
-
McCall MacBain Scholarship
Non-core Awards
Non-core awards are National Fellowships that do not require a campus nomination. Students have the ability to apply for these awards independently. While we are happy to assist students with these processes, core awards take priority in terms of the usage of our resources. These awards include, but are not limited to:
- Humanities in Action fellowships
- DAAD-Rise
- AMGEN Scholarship
- NOAA Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship
- SALAM Study Abroad Scholarship
- Yenching Academy Fellowship
-
NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program
Becoming a candidate
Becoming a competitive National Fellowship Candidate takes time, dedication, focus and ability. Some National Fellowships require Texas A&M to convene a selection committee and choose only a few students to receive an official nomination. It is highly unlikely that you will be able to walk in the door to the Office of National Fellowships for the first time and have an application that is competitive, especially for those National Fellowships that require Texas A&M to endorse you. Tips for becoming a competitive candidate include:
- Start Early
- Students should anticipate dedicating approximately six months to preparing a competitive application, provided they have already developed the experiences, qualifications and skills aligned with the fellowship’s selection criteria. Students are encouraged to contact the National Fellowships advisor as soon as they identify an award of interest in order to establish a preparation timeline and receive guidance throughout the application process. (natlfellows@tamu.edu)
- Know the requirements
- Many national fellowships include specific eligibility requirements, which may be based on factors such as grade point ratio (GPR), citizenship, field of study or classification. Students are responsible for reviewing and confirming their eligibility prior to applying. Those who have questions regarding eligibility criteria are encouraged to consult with the National Fellowships advisor for clarification and guidance.
- Develop a competitive profile
- Students who aspire to become competitive candidates for national fellowships should intentionally cultivate a strong academic record, sustained leadership and meaningful engagement beyond the classroom. This preparation may include pursuing advanced coursework, studying another language, engaging in research or creative projects on campus and at other institutions, and seeking faculty mentorship early in their academic careers. Students are also encouraged to apply for competitive university opportunities, such as the Gathright/Deans’ Excellence Awards, which recognize achievement and provide valuable experience in preparing competitive applications. Thoughtful, sustained involvement in these activities strengthens a student’s profile and readiness for national competition.
- Do your research
- A national fellowship that is widely recognized as prestigious or offers a substantial monetary award may not necessarily represent the best fit for every student. Applicants should carefully research each fellowship to understand the qualities and experiences sought in candidates, as well as the mission and objectives of the awarding organization. A strong alignment between a student’s goals, experiences and the fellowship’s purpose is essential to developing a competitive application.
- Integrity in the Application Process
- Applicants are expected to present their qualifications, accomplishments and experiences with accuracy and integrity. Any form of exaggeration, misrepresentation or omission of material information undermines the integrity of the application process and may result in disqualification. Students should ensure that all materials submitted reflect an honest and faithful account of their work and achievements.
- Commitment to the Application Process
- Preparing a competitive national fellowship application requires a significant investment of time and sustained effort. Throughout the process, students will engage in research, drafting, revision and careful refinement of application materials. Applicants are strongly encouraged to utilize campus resources, including the University Writing Center and the Career Center, to strengthen their materials. In addition to deepening their understanding of the fellowship opportunity, students often gain greater clarity about their academic interests, professional goals and personal motivations.
- National Fellowship Candidates often come with strengths in a particular group of areas.
- Academics
- Service
- Leadership
- Research
- Foreign Language
- Value of the Application Process
- Because selection for a national fellowship is highly competitive and not guaranteed, students are encouraged to value the intellectual and professional growth that occurs throughout the application process. Preparing an application cultivates a range of transferable skills that extend well beyond a single competition. Through the process, students strengthen the following competencies:
- Writing and Communication Skills
- Crafting compelling personal statements and research proposals
- Writing with clarity, precision and persuasive purpose
- Tailoring messages to varied academic and professional audiences
- Articulating academic interests and career goals effectively
- Research and Analytical Skills
- Conducting comprehensive research on fellowship opportunities
- Developing well-reasoned arguments and project justifications
- Synthesizing complex ideas in clear and accessible language
- Critical Thinking and Self-Reflection
- Assessing personal strengths, areas for growth and long-term aspirations
- Demonstrating intellectual curiosity and originality
- Connecting prior experiences to future goals in meaningful ways
- Leadership and Initiative
- Presenting leadership experiences through thoughtful narratives
- Demonstrating initiative in academic, extracurricular and community contexts
- Advocating for one’s ideas with professionalism and confidence
- Time Management and Organization
- Balancing application preparation with academic and personal responsibilities
- Managing multiple deadlines for essays, recommendations and interviews
- Strategically aligning coursework and experiences with selection criteria
- Interview and Presentation Skills
- Responding thoughtfully and concisely in high-stakes interviews
- Engaging confidently and authentically with interviewers
- Adapting responses to dynamic and challenging questions
- Networking and Professional Development
- Seeking mentorship and constructive feedback from faculty and advisors
- Building relationships with recommenders and collaborators
- Presenting oneself professionally in formal and informal settings
- Resilience and Adaptability
- Incorporating constructive criticism into revisions
- Learning from setbacks and persisting when appropriate
- Navigating uncertainty in competitive selection processes
- Writing and Communication Skills
- Because selection for a national fellowship is highly competitive and not guaranteed, students are encouraged to value the intellectual and professional growth that occurs throughout the application process. Preparing an application cultivates a range of transferable skills that extend well beyond a single competition. Through the process, students strengthen the following competencies:
Gathright/Deans' Excellence Awards
The Gathright/Deans’ Excellence Awards combine two historically separate awards—the Gathright Scholars Award and the Deans’ Excellence Awards—which were merged in 2019. They were created to recognize outstanding first-year and sophomore students for their achievements.
These university-wide awards are presented annually to the top freshman and sophomore students in each college who demonstrate exceptional promise. The awards are administered in partnership with the Texas A&M chapter of Phi Kappa Phi, one of the oldest and most prestigious honor societies in the world. The goal of the Gathright/Deans’ Excellence Awards is to identify and honor students who exemplify the Phi Kappa Phi motto: “Let the love of learning rule humanity.”
The top student in each college and classification receives the Gathright Phi Kappa Phi Deans’ Excellence Award, while the second-ranked student is recognized with the Phi Kappa Phi Deans’ Excellence Award.
Eligibility
All applicants must be full-time students and a member of the awarding college (as shown in university records). Applicants must not possess a record of academic dishonesty or any student conduct violations.
To compete in the first-year category a student must have been admitted to TAMU through the Freshman admissions process in the fall, spring or summer semester immediately preceding the application due date. (This classification is based on the number of semesters, not credit hours.)
To compete in the sophomore category a student must have completed at least 2 but no more than 4 fall/spring semesters at any institution by the application due date. (This classification is based on the number of semesters, not credit hours.)
Application Components
A complete application consists of six sections:
- Personal Statement
- Research and/or Creative Production Statement
- Community Engagement Statement
- List of Accomplishments and Awards
- Transcript
- List of coursework (added directly into the designated Course Information page within the application portal)
For more information on the Gathright/Deans' Excellence Awards and timeline, please visit the Office of National Fellowships website.