Honors Program

Admissions Requirements

Eligibility

• At least 45 units completed at UC Berkeley if admitted as a first-year student. At least 12 units completed at UC Berkeley if admitted as a Junior Transfer.
• Minimum overall and technical GPA of 3.7
• Declared in EECS, ECE, or Computer Science major.
• Must be a part of the Honors program for at least one year – Applying in Spring 2026 means graduating in Spring 2027 or later.
• Students must have lower-division major requirements completed or in progress.
  • For EECS: CS 61A/B/C, CS 70, ELENG 66/64 (formerly EECS 16A/B)
  • For ECE: CS 61A/C, Math 54, ELENG 66/64 (formerly EECS 16A/B)
  • For CS: Math 1A/B, CS 61A/B/C, CS 70 (or Math 55 if DM in Math), Math 54 or ELENG 66 (formerly EECS 16A) or Math 56 (Linear Algebra [Math 91 Fall 2022])*
  • Junior transfer students may apply without CS 61C completed.

Applications

• Submit the online EECS Honors Application Form
• Applications are accepted in Fall and Spring semesters only. They should include a resume, a proposed Program Planning Form, and an essay explaining the student’s motivation for applying and interest in their proposed breadth area.
  • Essay. This essay is an important part of your application and should be carefully organized and well-written. The essay should address both: a) How your proposed breadth courses will address a unifying theme and your area of interest. b) Your educational goals, including any applicable work and research experience, and future research interests. Maximum length: 3000 characters.
• In the form, applicants will need to attach the following supporting documents:
  • Program Planning Form
  • Optional: EECS Honors Program petition to have non-course credit count toward the honors program research requirement. Only submit this page if you have completed research that you have not earned units for.
• DEADLINE — For Fall 2026 Admission: Wednesday, May 6th at 4 pm PT
  • Application Form
• Applications are reviewed by a committee convened by the Vice Chairs by the end of the month the application is due. The committee evaluates applications for various signs of aptitude including a well-written essay, grades, above-average course loads, sincere commitment to a breadth area outside EECS, and an interest in undergraduate research.

Requirements for Completion

• Fulfill all Bachelor’s degree requirements for Computer Science, EECS, or ECE Degree.
• Maintain a 3.50 cumulative and technical GPA.
• Complete at least four units of “Supervised Independent Study” or other approved research credit.
• Study in a breadth area outside the EECS department, consisting of at least three upper-division courses (totaling at least 10 units)
  • These courses may be taken in a single department, or in related departments if they address a unifying theme. Explanation of the breadth interest is part of the honors application; these courses may be changed later by petition only.
  • Cross-listed courses with CS/EE/EECS are not allowed.
  • These courses must be taken for a letter grade.
• Honor Students have the option to complete an Honor Thesis. Senior thesis expectations and grades will be agreed upon by the student and their sponsoring faculty. Students should then enroll in four units of EE H196 or CS H196 during their senior year. They may complete these units for a letter grade.  Honors Thesis Form. Please note students must complete at least four units of “Supervised Independent Study” or other approved research credit before pursuing the Honors Thesis.

Questions?

Check out the EECS Honors FAQ!