About the Honors College

At The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, the Honors College is more than just a place for high-achieving students — it’s a vibrant, culturally rich, bilingual community of scholars, leaders, and changemakers. Whether you’re pursuing medicine, law, business, or the arts, the Honors College offers a transformative academic experience that challenges you to think boldly, lead with integrity, and reach your fullest potential.

Honors students follow the Rafael and Carmen Guerra Honors Program, a dynamic curriculum that blends rigorous coursework with real-world experience. The program includes:

• Lower-Division Honors Courses: Choose from the Honors Humanities sequence (HONR 2387 Honors Humanities I; HONR 2388 Honors Humanities II) or participate in Honors-by-Contract (HBC). The HBC provides students an opportunity to earn honors credit by integrating an honors experience into a regular (non-honors) course. The contract is a collaborative agreement between the student and the instructor that outlines the structure, expectations, and honors-level work to be completed.
• Honors Practicum: Engage in internships or experiential learning with an honors component.
• Upper-Division Honors Courses: Dive deeper into your major with advanced honors coursework, including additional HBC opportunities, or participate in study abroad experiences.
• Honors Thesis Option: Conduct original research under faculty mentorship, culminating in a capstone project.

Specialized tracks are available for pre-medical, pre-law, and business students, offering tailored support and early assurance pathways to graduate programs.

At the UTRGV Honors College, your journey goes beyond academics. Here, you are the author of a bold, impactful story shaped by curiosity, leadership, and meaningful engagement. Through immersive experiences—whether studying abroad, taking on leadership roles within the Honors community, or participating in unique programs like Early Assurance and the Archer Fellowship—you grow not just as a student, but as a changemaker prepared to inspire and lead.

Guided by our three pillars—Inquiry & Creativity, Leadership, and Local and Global Engagement—you are encouraged to think critically, lead with integrity, and engage with purpose, shaping not only what you learn but who you become.

No matter your field of study, the Honors College welcomes students from every academic discipline. Our goal is to cultivate well-rounded individuals who are prepared to lead in their professions and communities.

If you're ready to challenge yourself, connect with inspiring peers and mentors, and make a lasting impact — the UTRGV Honors College is for you.