Elite Academic Programs

Honors College 

The Honors College isn’t a one-size-fits-all honors curriculum. With over 1,400 students pursuing more than 90 majors across campus, students can mix and match any Honors opportunities with their own degree plans, major(s), and various studies, shaping a truly personalized and transformative Baylor
experience.

Bachelor of Philosophy	Major options: Great Texts of the Western Tradition (GTX) or Ethics (ETH) The Bachelor of Philosophy (B.Phil.) degree is for academically ambitious, students seeking a rigorous, research-focused education. The pathway combines a Great Texts of the Western Tradition or Ethics with a required secondary major, advanced faculty mentorship and a senior thesis through the Honors Program. Applicants generally have a high class ranking (if applicable) and score above 1450 SAT, 33 ACT, 100 CLT, and have a GPA of 3.8 or higher on a 4.0 scale.   Details: • Pursue a primary major in Great Texts of the Western Tradition (GTX) or Ethics (ETH) • Choose a required secondary major from another discipline  • Complete a senior thesis in the Honors Program • Engage in a unique core curriculum, which positions students for Phi Beta Kappa eligibility • Prepare for competitive careers, graduate school, law, medicine, and leadership roles
Great Texts of the Western Tradition	The Great Texts of the Western Tradition (GTX) major is for academically curious students eager to explore literature, philosophy, theology, and politics through small, discussion-based seminars. Students engage with classic texts that connect knowledge, ethics, and enjoyment, preparing for careers in law, medicine, ministry, and academia. Applicants are reviewed holistically.  Details:   • Engage with complete classic texts that connect knowledge, ethics, and enjoyment • Participate in small, seminar-style classes  • Enhance the major with optional Pre-Health, Pre-Law, Pre-Seminary, and Liberal Arts concentrations for a well-rounded education • Pursue either a B.A. degree or a B.Phil. degree
University Scholars	The University Scholars (UNSC) major is for high-ability, self-motivated students who seek academic flexibility. With minimal core requirements, students design a personalized education, concentrating in 2-3 disciplines while engaging in liberal arts and sciences conversations. All University Scholars join the Honors Program, complete a senior thesis and prepare for competitive careers, graduate school, law, medicine, and leadership roles through rigorous coursework and research. Applicants generally have a high class ranking (if applicable) and score above 1430 SAT, 32 ACT, 100 CLT, and have a GPA of 3.8 or higher on a 4.0 scale.  Details:   • Have minimal core requirements, freeing students to take more classes that meet their interests • Engage in cross-disciplinary conversation across the liberal arts and sciences • Concentrate their studies in 2-3 academic disciplines  • Enjoy a cohort learning experience by taking Great Texts courses together in their first year • Can declare secondary majors or minors • Are also enrolled in the Honors Program and must complete a senior thesis • Prepare for competitive careers, graduate school, law, medicine, and leadership roles through rigorous coursework and research
Baylor Interdisciplinary Core (BIC)	The Baylor Interdisciplinary Core (BIC) is an honors core track in the Honors College for inquisitive, globally minded students who value critical thinking and diverse perspectives. BIC replaces Baylor’s general education requirements with small, team-taught courses that emphasize global engagement and explore subjects from multiple disciplines. Students have the flexibility to pursue most majors. Applicants are reviewed holistically.   Details: • Engage in team-taught courses emphasizing global engagement  • Explore foundational subjects from multiple disciplines  • Have the flexibility to pursue most degrees and majors of their choice  • May pursue the Honors Program and/or the BIC Honors Core together.
Honors Program	The Honors Program is for driven students who seek to deepen their learning through discussion-based courses and independent research. Open to all majors, the program enhances students’ education with foundational texts, critical thinking, and research skills. It culminates in a senior thesis guided by a faculty mentor in any discipline. Ideal for those preparing for graduate study, professional schools, and competitive careers, the Honors Program fosters academic excellence and scholarly inquiry. Applicants generally score above 1430 SAT, 32 ACT, 100 CLT, and have a GPA of 3.8 or higher on a 4.0 scale. Details: Compatible with all Honors College offerings. Engage with foundational texts in small, discussion-based courses Complete a senior thesis with a faculty mentor in any discipline Prepare for graduate study, professional schools, and career opportunities

Read more about the Honors College.

 

Baylor Business Fellows is a flexible major in the Business School that allows students to:

• Combine the study of business with Baylor's other schools and programs 
• Prepare for post-graduation pre-professional goals, like medicine or law 
• Study mathematics, humanities or natural or social sciences while laying a solid foundation in business 

Read more about Baylor Business Fellows.

Business Scholars is an accelerated path in the Business School that allows students to:

• Pursue multiple business majors sooner 
• Participate in cohort-style classes during their freshman year 
• Pursue other academic goals outside the Business School, such as minors or secondary majors 
• Participate in unique, Scholars-only study abroad opportunities 

Read more about Baylor Business Scholars.

The Science Research Fellows program is home to some of the top undergraduate researchers in the nation. Each year only 10 high school students are selected to be part of this program. It is an interdisciplinary major that prepares students for a successful career in research in fields like biology, chemistry, biochemistry, physics, psychology, neuroscience, environmental science, anthropology, and geosciences.

Established in the Fall 2017, this flexible major prepares students to immerse themselves in research on their favorite science field early on in their studies while giving them the freedom to explore other fields of study.  SRF students are expected to join a research lab at the start of their sophomore year and stay for at least 2 years.  They receive individualized mentorship and guidance to make their career goals a reality. 

Benefits of Being a Science Research Fellow

• Individualized help for graduate and medical school admissions as well as top scholarships (Goldwater, Marshall, Fulbright)
• 1-1 Mentoring with professors and past or current fellows for guidance on classes, career goals, and ways to further your education
• Priority Registration for Classes
• The ability to choose which science courses you take / Reduced core curriculum
• Being part of a close-knit group of top scholars that support each other

Read more about Science Research Fellows.