The GCU Honors College
Embrace the Challenge, Enrich Our Future
Welcome to the Honors College at Grand Canyon University, home to a vibrant community of ambitious learners seeking a challenging and robust undergraduate experience. As an honors student, you are among a group of peers who share your aspirations, aptitude and interests. We are eager to have passionate and motivated students like you in our college.
The Honors College strives to develop you into an exemplary graduate and influential agent of change who will lead and serve in both the workplace and within your local and global communities. The dynamic interdisciplinary curriculum is designed to enrich your academic experience and challenge you to exceed your intellectual and creative boundaries.
Our close-knit and supportive community fosters an opportunity for individualized learning and personal growth, creating a future of leadership and scholarship excellence.
Contact Us
GCU Honors College
TECH 57-325, 3rd Floor
[email protected]
Apply Now
Are you interested in joining our vibrant community of ambitious learners? Apply today for our challenging and enriching Honors College.
The Honors College is committed to helping you customize your GCU experience with intentional and meaningful experiences both inside and outside of the classroom. At the Honors College, progression requirements are defined to ensure a standard of excellence is met or exceeded by all honors students throughout the program.
All additional honors coursework can be selected from the Honors Course Catalog. You will work with your honors-specific student services counselor to schedule your first academic year of coursework.
All Honors College students starting in the 2024-25 academic year and beyond must meet the following criteria to successfully graduate from the Honors College.
Honors General Education Coursework
Honors students are required to complete the following honors general education courses throughout their program of study:
- HUM-109HN: Knowledge and Technology in the Humanities
- CWV-106HN: Christianity: Story, Theology & Mission (Year 1 or Year 2)
- HUM-201HN: Intersections Between the Humanities and the Sciences (Year 1 or Year 2)
Honors students are supported both academically and through various co-curricular opportunities, including global studies programs. As a student, you are encouraged to customize your educational journey to help best prepare yourself before entering the workforce.
- P.A.C. Professional Development Program
- Leadership in Action Fellowship
- Honors College Student Advisory Board
- Pre-Health Medical and Graduate School Preparation Program
- RISE Fellowship and Leadership in Action Programs
- Young Athena Valley of the Sun Leadership Program
- Public Square Series for government, pre-law, political science and related majors
- Provost Speaker Series and networking
- FLIGHT Peer Mentorship Program
- Inside Entertainment Speaker series for all arts, media and business majors and for all creatives
- National Society of Collegiate Scholars (NSCS)
- Alpha Chi National College Honors Society
- Social events including the Honors Fall Social, annual Honors Banquet and more
- Leadership retreats and community-building events
- Annual Next Generation Leadership Conference
- Honors-exclusive career and internship fairs
- Exclusive speaker events and networking opportunities
- Faculty mentorship and industry engagement
- Traditional study abroad
- Honors global fellowship with Living and Learning International
- Short-term medical mission trips with Well Child International
- Short-term vocational mission trips with Students International
- Short-term global study tours with Living and Learning International and Contiki
- International internship programs with The Intern Group
- Freshmen-only honors housing in The Grove's Juniper Hall and priority housing selection for continuing honors students in good academic standing with the Honors College
- Purposeful and intentional assistance with career planning
- Honors research and project-based opportunities with faculty, staff, professional advisory board members and industry leaders
- Private meet-and-greet networking and hiring events with various employers and companies
- Access to the Honors Lounge and free printing
- Honors diploma, honors designation on transcripts and identification in commencement program
- Additional honors regalia for commencement
- Opportunities for internships and community service-learning projects
Graduation With a Leadership Distinction
Student leaders uphold an exceptional commitment to leading and serving within the GCU community. This Graduation With Leadership (GLD) distinction provides traditional, undergraduate students an opportunity to earn recognition after acquiring and documenting 350 or more hours inclusive of professional and leadership development training, applied leadership experiences and community service hours. To pursue the GLD pathway and distinction, complete the GLD interest form.
Honors Course Catalog
Explore opportunities to customize your honors academic experience. View the Honors Course Catalog to identify honors-only courses, addenda courses, enrichment contract options, uniquely written honors electives and symposia courses.
FLIGHT Program
Join FLIGHT, an honors-exclusive mentorship program that teams upperclassmen with new honors students. Students with my.gcu.edu credentials can learn more about FLIGHT and how to sign up as a mentor or mentee today.