Awards
UTI offers many prestigious awards that are direct reflections of students’ attitudes and performance in their programs. All awards are based on the criteria described below. Winners are recognized at graduation and their awards are mailed to them within 30 days of graduation. Note: Student of the Course, Director’s Honor List, and Professionalism awards are reflected on the diploma or degree upon graduation.
Student of the Course awards are given at the end of each course as part of an incentive program to encourage initiative and excellence. Certain Manufacturer-Specific Advanced Training programs do not issue Student of the Course awards. Any student repeating a course is not eligible for this award in the repeated class.
Criteria for the Student of the Course award indicate the student must receive a grade of at least 90% in class, lab, and professionalism categories. The Student of the Course award is given to the student with the highest overall course grade. In the event of a tie, the award is given to the student with the highest grade in lab work. In the event of a second tie, the award is given to the student with the highest grade in class work. In the event of a third tie, the award is given to the student with the highest professionalism grade. In the event of a fourth tie, the award is given to the student with the highest online academic activity, if applicable. In the event of a fifth tie, multiple awards will be given for the course. If no student attains the required performance, no award will be presented.
Students who receive a class work and lab grade of 90% or higher in three consecutive courses are recognized on the Director’s Honor List. Students with attendance failures within the three-course period are not eligible for this award.
Professionalism Awards are also awarded to students who achieve the following during a block of courses (either core course block or elective course block):
- Highest Honors in Professionalism: 100% Professionalism grade in all completed courses within a block
- High Honors in Professionalism: 95% or better Professionalism grade in at least 90% of the completed courses within the block
Students with any attendance failures or academic failures due to professionalism within the block are not eligible for this award for the block in question. Courses at dropped status and refresher courses are not included in determining professionalism award eligibility. For students with voluntary retakes, the class with the highest overall course grade will be included for professionalism award eligibility.
UTI Motorcycle
Motorcycle students who achieve at least a 96% overall combined course average and maintain a 90% professionalism grade or better, in each course, are recognized on the Director’s List for MOTD-101 – MOTD-106 of the Motorcycle Technician Programs. Students with failed courses are not eligible for this award.
Motorcycle Top Technician awards (also called Top Graduate, Honor Student or Top Student, depending on the elective program) are awarded to the Motorcycle student who meets the criteria detailed below upon graduation. Awards are presented at graduation. Students with any failed courses within the Motorcycle elective are not eligible for this award.
Motorcycle OEM training:
- BMW Motorrad Technician
- FAST (Factory Authorized Suzuki Training)
- Harley‑Davidson Late Model
- HonTech
- Kawasaki K‑Tech Specialist
- YamaPro®
Criteria for the Top Technician Award for the Motorcycle OEM training listed above (except Harley-Davidson Late Model):
- Highest overall GPA in the OEM program with 90% or above in all categories of the course.
- Students’ classroom behavior will be taken into account:
- Professionalism Team player
- Willingness to excel
- In the event of a tie, the Chief Instructor will select the Top Tech
- If no student(s) meet the requirements, a Top Tech award will not be given.
Criteria for the Top Grad Award for Harley‑Davidson Late Model:
- All H-D PHD prerequisite online training is completed.
- In-lab PHD assessment completions in the DSO classes.
- Highest overall CGPA, including all grades from MTP through the Harley‑Davidson Late Model.
- No negative student or discipline issues as documented in SMART.
- Input from other Harley-Davidson Late Model instructors.
The name of the Top Grad and date awarded will be submitted to Harley-Davidson following graduation. Harley-Davidson Early Model is not included in the Top Technician Award process.
UTI Marine
Marine students who receive a class work and lab grade of 90% or higher in three consecutive courses are recognized on the Director’s Honor List. Students with attendance failures within the three-course period are not eligible for this award. Students with failed courses are not eligible for this award.
Marine Top Technician awards (also called Top Graduate, Honor Student or Top Student, depending on the elective program) are awarded to the Marine student who meets the criteria detailed below upon graduation. Awards are presented at graduation. Students with any failed courses within the Marine program are not eligible for this award.
Criteria for the Top Technician Award for the Marine OEM/ capstone courses:
- Highest overall GPA in the Marine program
- 90% or above overall grade for the OEM/capstone courses (MRND-201 to MRND-207).
- 85% or above in each grading area of the OEM/ capstone courses
- Students’ classroom behavior will be taken into account:
- Professionalism
- Team player
- Willingness to exceed
- If there is a tie due to grades and attendance, the Chief Instructor will select the Top Tech
- If no student(s) meet the requirements, a Top Tech award will not be given.
National Honor Society (all campuses excluding Canton)
The prestigious Alpha Beta Kappa National Honor Society was founded in 1977 to encourage and recognize superior academic and laboratory training in honorable fields of endeavor. Universal Technical Institute became the society’s first member, receiving its charter as the Alpha chapter. Students with any attendance failures are not eligible for this award.
Qualifications for nomination to Alpha Beta Kappa include a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.50. Candidates for nomination are notified after graduation.