Departmental Honors within the English Major

Departmental Honors is available for any ENG major regardless of participation in the University Honors Program or other qualification for University Honors. Graduates who achieve Departmental Honors are awarded this distinction on their final University transcripts upon graduation. They are also honored at our Spring Awards Day.

ENG majors who meet the following requirements will be awarded Departmental Honors:

• Current ENG major with all pre-major and major requirements successfully fulfilled;
• At least 8 courses for the ENG major taken at UK (i.e., not transfer credits or course equivalencies);
• Completion of ENG 495 Major Honors Seminar with a grade of at least B;
• Major GPA of 3.75 and above.
• ENG 495 “Major Honors Seminar” is open to ENG majors who have fulfilled the pre-major requirements, ENG 330 “Text and Context,” and who have a GPA of 3.5 or above. 
• All qualifying ENG majors are encouraged to enroll in a Major Honors Seminar in the Fall or Spring of their junior year, or in the Fall of their senior year, in order to qualify for graduating with Departmental Honors in the Spring of their senior year.

For further information or questions, please contact the Director of Undergraduate Studies Dr. Matt Godbey.

Scholarships and Awards

The University of Kentucky’s English Department offers a wide array of scholarships and awards designed to support student success and recognize academic excellence. These financial aids are available to both undergraduate and graduate students and are intended to alleviate financial burdens, encourage scholarly achievements, and foster creative endeavors.

By providing these scholarships and awards, the department ensures that talented students can focus on their studies and fully engage with the academic opportunities available to them. Whether through scholarships that support tuition costs or awards that recognize outstanding academic and creative work, these resources are crucial in helping students achieve their full potential.

For more information on specific scholarships, eligibility requirements, and application deadlines, please visit our Scholarships and Awards page. The College of Arts and Sciences also provides a variety of scholarships to support student success and meet financial need. Please see here for more information.

Travel Grants & Research Grants

English students in the College of Arts and Sciences are able to apply for funds to support (a) travel to conferences, and (b) research expenses.  See here for more information about student research and travel funding opportunities.

Sigma Tau Delta

Sigma Tau Delta, the National Honors Society for students of English, offers its members many opportunities to compete for scholarships that support study abroad, summer study, tuition and graduate programs.  They also offer support for summer internships, including a chance to intern at Penguin Books in New York City for the summer.  Many UK students have competed and won support from Sigma Tau Delta.  To be eligible, students must be dues-paying members.  For more information, contact the faculty sponsor, Pearl James, pearl.james@uky.edu and see here for more information.