The Penn State Behrend Honors Program is designed to provide a richer academic experience for highly qualified students at first-year and sophomore levels. At the end of the sophomore year, a student who has successfully completed nine or more honors credits while maintaining a cumulative 3.33 G.P.A. will be awarded a notation on their transcript. 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 first and sophomore years and continue studying toward a Penn State Honors Degree.

How to Earn Honors Credits

  • Honors courses
  • 400-level courses
  • Honors option regular courses (should only be taken as a last resort; requires instructor approval)
  • Honors independent study/research (requires instructor approval)
  • Recognized study abroad programs

Eligibility and Requirements

  • Entry to Honors Program: First-year student admission by invitation based on high school academic record. No separate application is required.
  • Minimum Requirements: File an Annual Academic Plan. Maintain a 3.33 GPA each semester.
  • Semesters One and Two: Complete at least six honors credits during the first year.
  • Semesters Three and Four: All remaining honors credits must be completed by the end of the fourth semester. 

Students must take a prescribed sequence of courses (based on their intended major):

Pre-Business Majors:

  • First year: ECON 104H and 102H
  • Second year: Any honors course

Pre-Science Majors: 

  • Biology
    • First year: BIOL 110H and BIOL 230M
    • Second year: Any honors course
  • Chemistry
    • First year: Consult with adviser
    • Second year: Any honors course
  • Environmental Science
    • First year: BIOL 110H and consult with adviser
    • Second year: Any honors course 
  • Mathematics
    • First year: MATH 140H and MATH 141H
    • Second year: Any honors course
  • Math Education
    • Consult with adviser
  • Physics
    • First year: MATH 140H and MATH 141H
    • Second year: Any honors course 

Pre-H&SS Majors:

  • First year: English 30H and CAS 100H
  • Second year: Any honors course

Pre-Engineering Majors: 

  • Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Interdisciplinary Business and Engineering Studies, Mechanical Engineering, Polymer Engineering and Science
    • First year: EDGSN 100H and CPMSC 200
    • Second year: Any honors course
  • Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Software Engineering
    • First year: CMPSC 121H and CMPSC 122H
    • Second year: Any honors course
  • Engineering Technology
    • Consult with adviser

Pre-Nursing Major:

  • Consult with adviser

Division of Undergraduate Studies:

  • Follow sequence based on potential major of interest

Deadlines and Forms

Annual Academic Plan

  • Each fall semester, Behrend Honors Program members must submit an Annual Academic Plan (login required).
  • The deadline for submitting the form 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

  • Students who have taken a regular course with the Honors Option must submit a completed Honors Option form.
  • Honors Option forms and Honors Independent Study/Research forms are due by the end of the third week of the semester in which honors study is taken.
  • Honors options should only be considered as a last resort.
  • Students can follow the Honors Option Form Instructions for more information about the Honors Option process.