Honors Program for Incoming Freshman Fall 2026
All incoming freshman students who are admitted to the UT Austin School of Nursing will be invited to apply to the Nursing Honors Program. The invitation to apply letter will be sent from the admissions office with the link to our website.
Note: This will be the only opportunity to apply to the Nursing Honors Program.
About Honors Program
The Undergraduate Nursing Honors Program mission is to prepare students at the baccalaureate level in nursing science and leadership. This program is designed to enhance the educational experience of high-achieving undergraduate nursing majors by focusing on the development of nursing science. Honors program students enjoy working with a faculty mentor on research, taking special honors sections of selected courses, completing an honor’s project, and presenting their work at a professional conference or poster session.
Admission Requirements for Incoming Freshman
Admission to the Nursing Honors Program is competitive. The criteria considered for admission include:
- Admission to UT-Austin and the UT School of Nursing.
- Evidence of strong academic skills, particularly in science and math.
- Clear explanation of reasons for choosing nursing and interest in Honors program.
- Strong writing skills shown in application essay.
- Community volunteer and/or work activities illustrating interest in working with people.
Note: You must have a minimum of a 3.7 UT cumulative GPA to graduate with honors from the School of Nursing.
Application Procedures
The School of Nursing conducts a holistic review of all applicants. To be accepted into the Nursing Honors Program, you must first be admitted into the Nursing Program. Once admitted into the Nursing Program, your application will be reviewed by a separate committee.
If you are interested in applying for the Nursing Honors Program, please complete the honors application and the following essay:
- This essay is an opportunity to introduce yourself to the committee.
- Write no more than two double-spaced pages with 1-inch margins in standard 12-point font.
- Essays will be scored for content and the quality of writing including spelling and grammar.
- In your essay, answer the question "What do you hope to gain by completing the Honors Program in Nursing?"
Benefits of the Honors Program
- Dedicated Academic Advising by the Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Programs
- Working closely with experienced faculty mentors
- Experiential Learning Activities to develop nursing science and leadership skills
- Being part of a close-knit group at a nationally ranked school and university Attending professional conference(s)
- Being a part of a special learning community targeted for Nursing Honors students
- Opportunity for a personalized recommendation letter from faculty mentors
- Development of leadership skills to increase opportunity and competitiveness for scholarships
- Honors designation on University of Texas transcript
Forms/Documents
All files are in PDF format.
Contact Information
For questions about the Honor’s Program, students should consult with Dr. Ana Todd, Director of the Nursing Honors Program, at atodd@mail.nur.utexas.edu.
News Featuring Nursing Honors Student
Honors Program Research Projects
The School of Nursing Undergraduate Nursing Honors Program gives honors students the opportunity to conduct research under the guidance of a faculty mentor. After completing their projects, students produce a professional research report and publicly present their findings.