Honors Program

The Honors Program at the UF College of Nursing offers a unique and challenging academic experience for high-achieving BSN students who demonstrate exceptional academic ability. This program provides an opportunity to engage in mentored research, develop a formal thesis, and graduate with honors distinction.


Why Join the Honors Program?

  • Enhance your nursing education with a research-driven project.
  • Work closely with a faculty mentor to explore an area of interest.
  • Develop critical-thinking and analytical skills.
  • Gain recognition for academic excellence with an honors designation.

Eligibility & Requirements

Who Can Apply?

  • Incoming senior BSN students who expect to graduate with a College of Nursing GPA of 3.7 or higher.
  • minimum College of Nursing GPA of 3.6 (calculated from the first semester of entry) and a cumulative GPA of 3.7 are required to apply.

Program Expectations

  • Complete a faculty-mentored research project culminating in a formal thesis.
  • Enroll in NUR 4935: Honors Seminar in Nursing during the spring semester of senior year.
  • Present your honors project during the seminar and at the College of Nursing Research Summit.
  • Submit your final thesis to the Institutional Repository (IR@UF).

Application Process

  1. Identify a Research Interest
    • Before applying, students should identify a broad area of interest for their honors project and secure a faculty mentor.
  2. Submit Your Application
  3. Get Matched with a Faculty Mentor
    • Accepted students will be assigned a faculty mentor and should connect with them before the end of the spring semester.
  4. Begin Your Project
    • Work on your project begins in fall of senior year, with preliminary preparation in the summer at your faculty mentor’s direction.
  5. Enroll in NUR 4935
    • Students must register for NUR 4935: Honors Seminar in Nursing in Spring 2026.

Honors Distinction

Graduating with honors at the UF College of Nursing requires participation in the Honors Program. Students earn one of three distinctions based on their upper-division nursing GPA:

  • Summa Cum Laude:3.90 – 4.00 GPA
  • Magna Cum Laude:3.80 – 3.89 GPA
  • Cum Laude:3.70 – 3.79 GPA

Take Your Nursing Education to the Next Level

The Honors Program is your opportunity to stand out, develop research expertise, and earn prestigious recognition in the nursing field. If you’re ready to challenge yourself and make an impact, apply today!

For more information, contact Ellen Terry, PhD.