Behrend Honors Program
The Penn State Behrend Honors Program is designed to provide a richer academic experience for highly qualified students at freshman and sophomore levels. At the end of the sophomore year, a student who has completed nine or more honors credits while maintaining a cumulative 3.33 G.P.A. will be awarded an Honors Certificate. A grade of C or higher is required for an honors course to meet honors credit requirements (as opposed to major or University requirements). There are also opportunities to enter the Schreyer Honors College at the end of the freshman and sophomore years and to continue study toward a Penn State Honors Degree.
Eligibility and Requirements
First Semester Freshmen
- Entry to Honors Program: Freshman admission by invitation based on high school GPA and SAT scores. No separate application is required.
- Minimum requirements: File an Annual Academic Plan. Maintain a 3.33 GPA each semester.
- Semesters one and two: Although one honors course per semester is strongly recommended, members must complete a minimum of three honors credits during the first year.
- Semesters three and four: Complete at least six honors credits by the end of the third semester. All remaining honors credits must be completed by the end of the fourth semester.
- Honors Certificate: Students entering as first-semester freshmen must earn nine honors credits to receive an Honors Certificate at the end of the fourth semester.
Second Semester Freshmen
- Entry to Honors Program: Students are invited to join the Honors Program if they complete their first semester with a 3.5 GPA.
- Minimum Requirements: File an Annual Academic Plan. Maintain a 3.33 GPA each semester.
- Coursework: Students entering as second-semester freshmen must complete three honors credits by the end of their first year and at least six honors credits by the end of the third semester. All remaining honors credits must be completed by the end of the fourth semester.
- Honors Certificate: Students entering as second-semester freshmen must earn a minimum of nine honors credits to receive an Honors Certificate by the end of the fourth semester.
To continue honors study at the junior/senior level, a student must apply to join the Schreyer Honors College.
Deadlines and Forms
Annual Academic Plan
- Annual Academic PlanBehrend Honors Program members submit their plans each fall semester. The deadline coincides with the Registrar’s fall semester late drop deadline, typically in early November. Students unable to comply by the deadline must contact the Honors Programs Office. Failure to submit a completed Annual Academic Plan by the deadline may result in dismissal from the program.
Honors Option
- Honors Option Form Instructions
- Honors Options, Honors Independent Study/Research forms are due by the end of the third week of the semester in which honors study is taken.
- Please complete the online application for honors options.
Note: All honors faculty and advisers should direct their Behrend Honors questions to Ms. Stephanie Gummerson or Dr. Mike Brown.
Schreyer Honors College:
- Schreyer Honors College webpage for honors faculty. Includes information on academic requirements, honors advising, the thesis: https://www.shc.psu.edu/faculty/.
- Details about SHC policies are found in the SHC Scholar Handbook: https://www.shc.psu.edu/academics/handbook/, which is published annually.
- The Schreyer Student Record System is where Schreyer Scholars submit academic plans, honors options, research grant applications, and thesis-related documents. Honors faculty and adviser use the SRS to view and approve these documents: https://www.shc.psu.edu/srs.
- Note: All honors faculty and advisers should direct their SHC questions to Dr. Mike Brown.