Kugelman Honors Program

Kugelman Honors Program

The UWF Kugelman Honors Program offers unique living and learning opportunities for students in all majors. In addition to their regular coursework, Kugelman Honors Scholars enroll in special interdisciplinary seminars led by the University's most accomplished faculty. Honors scholars also undertake a rigorous thesis project in which they explore a topic of lasting scholarly significance while working closely with a faculty advisor.

Benefits for participation in the program include early registration, exclusive scholarships, small Honors-only seminars (average of 15 students), the option to live in Pace Hall, study abroad opportunities, annotation on the UWF transcript as a Kugelman Honors Scholar, and participation in the Honors Commencement Ceremony. Most importantly, Kugelman Honors Scholars are part of the University's oldest and most vibrant living-learning community that fosters lifelong friendships and intellectual camaraderie among students and faculty alike. Admission to the Kugelman Honors Program is by invitation only based on admission requirements posted on the Kugelman Honors website.

For more information, email honors@uwf.edu.

Honors Scholarships

The University of West Florida offers numerous scholarships for high-achieving students. Nearly all students who are invited to join the Kugelman Honors Program are awarded a UWF Admissions Scholarship (Academic Excellence, Nautilus, Argonaut, or Pace Presidential).

The Kugelman Honors Program provides two scholarships to all students in the Honors Program, pending availability of funds. These scholarships are the John C. Pace, Jr. Honors Scholarship to support high-impact learning experiences and the Honors Tuition Scholarship to defray tuition costs while students are conducting research for their Honors thesis. In addition, the Honors Program offers Honors Leadership Scholarships to selected students who are active on campus and in the community as student leaders and Honors Need-Based Scholarships to support leadership training, research, and travel.

If you have questions about our scholarships, visit the Honors scholarship page, email honors@uwf.edu, or call the Honors Program at 850-474-2934.

GPA Requirement

All students in the Kugelman Honors Program must maintain a 3.00 G.P.A. at UWF.

Failure to meet this requirement will result in being placed on probation in the Honors Program. If an Honors student fails to achieve a 3.00 G.P.A. for two consecutive semesters, the student will become academically ineligible to be a member of the Honors Program. Students who do not make satisfactory progress may be terminated for non-participation.

Students who have become academically ineligible can apply for reinstatement to the Kugelman Honors Program once their G.P.A. exceeds 3.00 by submitting a petition for reinstatement to the Honors Director.

Community Service and ePortfolio Requirement

Before graduating, Honors students are required to complete focused community service. They must also complete the Honors ePortfolio, an online collection of service and academic accomplishments that highlight the student's development as a leader and scholar over their time in college.

Students will take a one-credit seminar, Service-Learning and ePortfolio Development (IDH 3701), in their second year to learn about Honors service projects and how to prepare the portfolio required for graduation from the program. Students are able to complete independent community service or participate in projects organized by UWF, academic departments, the Honors Program, and the Honors Council Service Committee and the Transfer Task Force.

Program Requirements

In addition to course requirements, all Honors students must complete:

1. Submission of an Honors thesis approved by the faculty advisor and the Honors Director.
2. Completion of a leadership and service ePortfolio.
3. Completion of community service hours as approved by the Honors Director or Associate Director.
4. Public presentation of the Honors thesis (preferably at a state, regional, or national conference).
5. One high-impact educational experience as approved by the Honors Director and the academic department of the student's major.

Honors 4-Year Pathway

For students entering Honors directly from high school with fewer than 45 credits of college coursework.

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General Education Communications

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General Education Humanities

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General Education Mathematics

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General Education Natural Sciences

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General Education Social Sciences

Honors 2-Year Pathway

For transfer students or incoming UWF students who have completed 45 or more credits of college coursework.

Honors Philosophy, Politics, Economics, and Law Minor

The interdisciplinary minor in Philosophy, Politics, Economics, and Law (PPEL) provides a framework for analyzing the complex relationships between these four pillars of social organization. Designed for students aspiring to leadership roles in government and public service, the program fosters the critical inquiry and analytical skills necessary to navigate modern legal and economic systems. This minor equips graduates with a versatile academic foundation to address multifaceted societal challenges.

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General Education Humanities Course.

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General Education Social Sciences Course.