Honors Requirements
All University Honors Program (UHP) students must complete a required number of honors courses (see below) and a thesis/creative project supervised and presented in front of a faculty committee. To graduate from the University Honors Program, they must have a cumulative GPA of 3.25.
In addition to these requirements, UHP students must meet the University degree requirements, the 180-total credit requirement and the University residency requirement.
UHP students entering as first-year students (30 credits or below)
| Foundations: Studies I, Studies II, Studies III | 15 credits |
| Methods: Studies IV, Studies V, Studies VI | 12 credits |
| Total lower-division Honors credits required | 27 credits |
| UHP Seminars HON 407 | 4-12 credits |
| Internship | 0-8 credits |
| Departmental Honors Seminars | 0-8 credits |
| Honors Contracts | 0-4 credits |
| Honors Colloquia | 0-4 credits |
| Thesis research and project HON 401, 403, 405 (or departmental prefix) |
6-10 credits |
| Total upper-division credits required | 18 credits |
UHP transfer students entering with lower-division standing (31-89 credits)
| Methods: Studies IV, Studies V, Studies VI | 12 credits |
| Total lower-division Honors credits required | 12 credits |
| UHP Seminars HON 407 | 4-12 credits |
| Internship | 0-8 credits |
| Departmental Honors Seminars | 0-8 credits |
| Honors Contracts | 0-4 credits |
| Honors Colloquia | 0-4 credits |
| Thesis research and project HON 401, 403, 405 (or departmental prefix) |
6-10 credits |
| Total upper-division credits required | 18 credits |
UHP transfer students entering with upper-division standing (more than 90 credits)
| UHP Seminars HON 407 | 4-12 credits |
| Internship | 0-8 credits |
| Departmental Honors Seminars | 0-8 credits |
| Honors Contracts | 0-4 credits |
| Honors Colloquia | 0-4 credits |
| Thesis research and project HON 401, 403, 405 (or departmental prefix) |
6-10 credits |
| Total upper-division credits required | 18 credits |
Departmental Honors Tracks
Some departments throughout the University offer a departmental honors option. Students should contact their major department to find out if this option is available and, if so, what the requirements are. Honors Program students shall complete the departmental honors options for their first majors if available. (In special cases, where a student does not qualify for the departmental honors track, other arrangements may be made between the Honors Program and the department.)
Maintaining Honors Program Student Status
All Honors Program students must maintain a 3.25 cumulative PSU GPA and make progress toward fulfilling the requirements of the Honors Program and their disciplinary major. Honors Program student grades will be audited each term. Those at risk of falling below the threshold will be notified in writing and are required to meet with an Honors Academic Advisor.
Probation
Honors Program students falling below the specified 3.25 cumulative GPA must:
- Meet with Leena, the Honors Academic Advisor to discuss their academic schedule and a plan for improvement
- Receive a term GPA (minimum of 12 credits) above the threshold in the following term
- Obtain a cumulative GPA above the 3.25 threshold at the end of two terms of course work subsequent to the term in which they fell below
If the cumulative GPA remains below the threshold, the student will no longer retain Honors Program status. Students have the right to appeal their circumstances to an Honors Program Advisor in writing and/or in person.
Re-entry
Students may apply for readmission when their cumulative PSU GPA is above the 3.25 threshold.
