The Honors College offers academically excellent students a world-class education within a faithfully Catholic university.
Dr. Michael Breidenbach, Dean of the Honors College, with Honors students outside the Canizaro Library
The Honors College educates a highly selective group of the nation's top undergraduates who desire academic excellence at a faithful Catholic university.
Why become an Ave Maria Honors student? You will form friendships with talented and faithful Catholic peers who challenge you to be your very best. Under the personal guidance of outstanding professors, you will be nourished by the treasures of the Catholic faith, Great Books, and state-of-the-art laboratories. You will be offered opportunities for cultural and artistic enrichment, leisure and contemplation, and excursions in the exceptional natural beauty of Southwest Florida. And in collaboration with The Institute at Ave Maria University, you will receive premier access to career discernment and the acceleration of your professional skills toward the fulfillment of your calling after graduation.
Highly selective. Intellectually serious. Spiritually alive. A formation you won't find anywhere else.
Admission to the Honors College is reserved for a small cohort of the nation's most promising Catholic undergraduates — placing us among the most selective programs recognized by the Newman Guide. Our incoming Honors students rank in the top 95th percentile nationally with a 3.9 unweighted cumulative GPA average, 1410 SAT, 31 ACT, and 101 CLT. We invite you to join us — you may be the kind of student we're looking for.
The Honors Core Curriculum combines academic excellence and the Great Books tradition with cutting-edge science and flexibility for any major. All Honors core courses are taught by select professors in smaller class sizes.
Form friendships with other talented and impressive Catholic students.
Learn the Great Books in stimulating Honors seminars with smaller class sizes.
Work one-on-one with accomplished Honors professors on academic research.
Compete for an internal nomination for a full-ride scholarship to study at the University of Oxford, one of the top 5 universities in the world.
Study abroad in Ireland at Mount Melleray, AMU's international campus of outstanding natural beauty and culture. Your passport to an international Honors education is here.
Gain best-in-class formation for admission to top-tier graduate programs.
Develop professional skills and prepare for your career through our unique collaboration with The Institute at Ave Maria University. Accelerate your career discernment here.
Honors students gain all these benefits and more—while still being integrated fully in campus social life.
Every year, Honors students compete for an internal nomination for a full-ride scholarship for graduate study at the University of Oxford, one of the top 5 universities in the world. The Honors College also provides best-in-class formation for graduate school and advice on admissions to top-tier graduate programs.
Honors alumni have created chart-topping Catholic family entertainment, staff important roles in national government, lead successful businesses, honorably serve as military officers, witness to God's call as priests and religious sisters, and more.
Seek sanctity through study and friendship. Love work as prayer. Discover joy in the quest for truth.The Honors College — Ave Maria University
Incoming freshmen, transfer students, current AMU students, and dual-enrollment students are eligible to apply.
Incoming freshmen and dual-enrollment students must have a minimum unweighted high school cumulative GPA of 3.70 as well as a minimum 1360 SAT score or 30 ACT score or 92 CLT score.
Candidates with a 1450+ SAT score, 32+ ACT score, or 100+ CLT score are especially encouraged to apply.
Transfer and current AMU students must have a minimum university cumulative GPA of 3.70 as well as a minimum 1360 SAT score or 30 ACT score or 92 CLT score.
Students with a 1450+ SAT score, 32+ ACT score, or 100+ CLT score are especially encouraged to apply.
They must also have enough semesters left to be able to complete the Honors College curricular and colloquia requirements.
We are always looking to connect with talented students. We can't wait to hear from you.
Administrative Assistant of the Honors College
Email: teresa.ledesma@avemaria.edu
Phone: (239) 304-7178
Your support funds Honors Scholarships, colloquia and lectures, formation activities, and the Honors College's ongoing work of intellectual and spiritual formation rooted in the Catholic tradition.
