Programs Overview – UCLA Honors Programs

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Programs and Academic Offerings

We encourage students to explore their passions, connect across disciplines, and achieve their goals. Whether students prefer a traditional path or design their own, we have several programs and academic offerings to foster creativity and innovation.

Core Programs

The majority of Honors Program students are participating in either College Scholars, or College Honors. Students who complete either program will earn the College Honors distinction on their diploma and transcript.

College Scholars
A four-year cohort-based program for first-year students seeking a personalized academic experience. Scholars engage in interdisciplinary learning and hands-on projects designed to foster resilience, creativity, and leadership.
College Honors
A distinguished honors track designed for transfer students and continuing students pursuing academic excellence and advanced learning. With a focus on depth and exploration, participants complete rigorous coursework to earn the College Honors distinction.

Specialized Programs

We offer a variety of specialized programs open to all students, regardless of their participation in College Scholars or College Honors. These programs provide unique opportunities for academic exploration, leadership, and personalized learning.

Departmental Scholar Program
A unique opportunity for advanced students to earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree simultaneously.
Individual Major
Create your own major with courses that span disciplines, and tailor your personal academic experience.
Undergraduate Student Initiated Education (USIE)
An empowering program where students design and facilitate their own seminars with faculty mentorship.
Plato Society Discussion Groups
Offered as a distinctive enrichment opportunity, the PLATO Society invites select Honors students to join small, peer-led seminars with retired and semi-retired professionals passionate about lifelong learning. While not a formal program, participation may count toward College Honors elective coursework.

Academic Courses

Honors Collegium
The Honors Collegium features interdisciplinary seminars offered by our department. Open to all students, these small, innovative courses are taught by faculty who design them around their academic passions, fostering creativity, collaboration, and meaningful engagement.

Philanthropy Education

UCLA has expanded undergraduate philanthropy education, providing students with opportunities to explore the role of giving in driving social impact. What began as a single undergraduate course has grown into a larger initiative, equipping students with hands-on experience in strategic philanthropy and nonprofit engagement.

Philanthropy as Civic Engagement Course
Students who participate in the course have a unique opportunity to determine, in collaboration with their peers, how $100,000 (contributed to the course by UCLA donors) should be allocated to local non-profit organizations.
Philanthropy in Action Speaker Series
Our new Philanthropy in Action speaker series offer a unique opportunity to hear the stories of philanthropy organization leaders, donors and those whose lives have been transformed through the generosity of others and the services provided by nonprofit agencies.