Admissions requirements

All students interested in the Honors Program are required to submit an online application. Application deadlines are August 1 for the fall semester and December 1 for the spring semester. The Honors Program co-coordinators will review online applications and notify students of admissions decisions. Upon admissions to the Honors Program, students should work with the co-coordinators to develop a plan of study for their next semester.

First-Year Students (matriculation directly from high school)

  • Minimum high school GPA of at least 3.4 (on a 4.0 scale)

  • Completion of honors program application, including providing the contact information for one professional reference

Transfer Students

  • Completed at least 12 college credits

  • Minimum cumulative GPA from all post-secondary institutions attended of at least 3.4
  • Completion of honors program application, including providing the contact information for one professional reference

Current Penn State Shenango Students

  • Completed at least 12 college credits at Penn State

  • Minimum GPA of 3.4
    • Note: Students who are part way through the first semester of their first year who wish to apply may be granted admissions pending a 3.4 GPA at the conclusion of their first semester.
  • Completion of honors program application, including providing the contact information for one professional reference
  • At least three semesters of full-time study remaining for students seeking a bachelor’s degree, and at least two semesters of full-time study remaining for students seeking an associate's degree

Retention requirements 

  • Maintain a full academic course load
    • Student seeking a bachelor’s degree: 21 units of honors credits (i.e., approximately one honors course each semester)
    • Student seeking an associate's degree: 9 units of honors credits (i.e., approximately one honors course each semester)
    • Students are strongly encouraged and advised to take honors classes that are within their major program of study
  • Maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.3
    • If your cumulative GPA falls below 3.3 during a semester, you may remain in the Honors Program for one additional semester on provisional status. If your cumulative GPA returns to 3.3, you'll be renewed to full status in the program for the following semester. In addition, you must continue to work towards earning the minimum number of required honors credits.
  • Meet with one of the co-coordinators at least once a semester
  • Complete a capstone project