The College of Public Health and Health Professions Honors Program consists of three levels: summa cum laude (highest honors), magna cum laude (high honors) and cum laude (honors).
Overview
This program introduces students enrolled as a junior to academic research, working one-on-one with a UF faculty mentor. The students’ final deliverables are a completed supervised research project, an academic poster presentation, and an approved thesis. This is an excellent opportunity for PHHP undergraduate students who are interested in research and want to add additional research experience to their curriculum vitae (CV) or resume.
Undergraduate students who are in good academic standing, earned a 3.5 GPA in all 3000 or above level coursework, and have no Student Conduct Code or any type of academic dishonesty violation automatically qualify to graduate with honors distinction (cum laude).
Students seeking high or highest honors (magna or summa cum laude) must apply to the College Honors program and complete additional requirements.
Eligibility requirements
The eligibility requirements are as follows:
- Intend to graduate Spring 2027
- Successfully complete HSC4969 Honors Seminar in Spring 2026, which meets Wednesdays periods 3-4
- Earn the minimum GPA requirement (3.85 or 3.75 respectively)
- Complete a minimum of 6 credits of honors research (HSC4970)
- Successfully present an honors research poster
- Successfully submit an approved honors thesis paper
- Be enrolled in at least 1 credit of honors research (HSC4970) during your graduating semester, Spring 2027
- Have no previous or future Student Conduct Code or any type of academic dishonesty violations
- Failure to meet the minimum upper-division GPA requirements for summa cum laude (3.85) or magna cum laude (3.75) will result in you being ineligible for either designation, even if you complete the remaining requirements. If you are unable to earn the requisite GPA, your Honors Research credit will be converted to Independent Study credit.
Undergraduate
Dean’s Scholar Award
One Honors student per major (BHS, BPH, CSD) will be selected as a Dean’s Scholar based upon an exemplary honors thesis project. Dean’s Scholars will be honored at the Spring PHHP Recognition Ceremony for graduates and receive an award stipend.
Application information
Application information will be emailed directly to eligible BHS, BHS-CSD and BPH juniors in the fall semester. It is recommended that you complete the application in one sitting from a computer (not a phone). Please look up your official overall GPA, draft your short and long-term goals, and have your resume ready to submit as an attachment. Application questions can be directed to Dr. Alana Rawlinson.
2025 Application timeline
| DATE | ASSIGNMENT |
|---|---|
| September 1, 2025 | Applications emailed to eligible students |
| September 15, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. | Applications due |
| October 2025 | Decisions released |
Application FAQs
What are the required minimum/maximum lengths for the application essay questions?
There is no minimum or maximum word length. There is no maximum character count. Questions can generally be answered in 1-2 paragraphs.
Do I need to have a faculty mentor to be competitive for the Honors Program?
No, you do not need to have a faculty mentor to apply for or gain entry into the Honors Program. If selected for the program, we will guide you to find a PHHP faculty mentor.
How do I find faculty members’ research areas and current projects?
The College of Public Health and Health Professions is home to a wide variety of research areas! We recommend you find a research faculty member, lab, center or institute that matches your career goals and research interests. The Application Review Committee is interested in your research interests regardless of current lab openings.
Should I contact faculty to see whether they are accepting Honors Students?
There is no requirement to contact faculty during the application stage.
If I am already in a lab, do I need to find another lab?
No, you do not need to find a secondary lab to gain entry into or graduate from the Honors Program.
If I am involved in a non-PHHP research lab right now, will I need to find another lab?
You do not need to find a secondary lab to gain entry into or graduate from the Honors Program.
How do I know if the Honors Program courses fit into my schedule?
Please contact your academic advisor and/or program director for more information.
Honors Program and Seminar Director
