Academic Administrative Policies and Procedures Manual

M-11: SCHREYER HONORS COLLEGE

Procedure:

Additions and amendments to Schreyer Honors College academic requirements must be approved by the Administrative Council on Undergraduate Education. Proposals for academic additions and amendments should include a record of consultation with appropriate parties, including the Vice President and Dean for Undergraduate Education and the University Faculty Senate Committee on Undergraduate Education.

The Dean of the Schreyer Honors College, who is advised by a faculty advisory committee, a student council, and an external advisory board, shall also consult with the Vice President and Dean for Undergraduate Education on issues pertaining to credit requirements, curricula, and academic standards of admission and retention.

1. Students typically will be offered admission into the Schreyer Honors College (SHC) through one of two routes:
1. Entering First-year Students: Students typically should have: excellent records in secondary school as evidenced by measures including but not limited to strength of course schedule, extra-curricular and co-curricular activities during the high school years, leadership positions and/or outstanding accomplishments in those activities, and community service. Applicants must complete at least two essays demonstrating excellent writing abilities, creativity and critical thinking skills; submit at least two recommendations from high school teachers, and include a list of extracurricular and co-curricular activities in which the student has participated along with the positions held in those activities. Applications are read and reviewed by members of the Penn State faculty and faculty/staff members of the SHC. The dean's office of the SHC will make the final decisions regarding admission of the first-year applicants to the SHC and will be responsible for determining the level and duration of SHC financial support provided to these students in the form of Academic Excellence Scholarships.
2. Continuing Penn State Students: Students who have completed one or more full-time semesters at Penn State and have at least four full-time semesters remaining at Penn State may apply for entry into the Schreyer Honors College as second or third year students. Major programs will generally encourage students who have declared their major during the students' fourth full-time semester for entry into the SHC at the beginning of the students' fifth semester. First-year students may apply during their second full-time semester for entry into the SHC at the beginning of their third full-time semester. Any Penn State student seeking entry must complete the SHC application for second and third year entry. Applicants typically must have earned a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.70 or higher and demonstrate characteristics related to the SHC Mission. Due to department/program capacity limits, the departments/programs will complete the initial application review and make recommendations to the SHC dean's office where final decisions will be made. All SHC offers of admission to students are contingent upon their GPA/performance during the semester in which they apply.
2. To remain in the SHC, students must maintain both a semester and cumulative grade point average of at least 3.40, while maintaining full-time enrollment (minimum of 12 credits), file a Schreyer Plan approved by an honors adviser, complete the experience tracker, and successfully complete the following course requirements:
1. Scholars who enter as first-year students must complete at least twenty-one (21) honors credits within their first two years. University Park Scholars are required to complete ENGL/CAS 137H/138H, which is an approved substitution for ENGL 30 and CAS 100.
2. Second year students who enter the SHC as continuing students (via 1b) must complete at least nine (9) honors credits during their second year; 
3. All SHC Scholars must complete a minimum of fourteen (14) additional honors credits in the upper division.

The application process and academic progress requirements for part-time and returning-adult students in the SHC may vary from what is described previously. These students are required to work closely with their honors adviser and the SHC administration to develop an appropriate specific plan of progress. The explicit GPA requirements and the total honors credits required must still be met by these students.

3. Each student participating in the SHC must prepare a Schreyer Plan (SP) in consultation with, and to be approved by their honors adviser. Students entering the SHC for the first time will prepare an SP with their honors adviser at the beginning of the fall semester. All SPs must be submitted to the SHC online through the SHC student record system.
4. To earn honors upon graduation, students must complete a thesis. Students are required to submit a thesis proposal at least one year in advance of completing their thesis. Each thesis must be read, signed, and approved by at least two full-time members of the regular faculty at Penn State, including both the thesis supervisor and an honors adviser(s) in the department(s) granting honors.
5. Students may withdraw from the SHC by completing the online form through the SHC student record system, which notifies the SHC Dean. Students who withdraw, whether voluntarily or not, will not be penalized for approved modifications in program requirements made while they were Schreyer Scholars.
6. Each semester, the dean's office of the SHC shall be responsible for notifying the University Registrar of the names of the students who have successfully completed the SHC requirements. The University Registrar shall make an appropriate notation on the student's official record and diploma.

(Ref: Senate Policies 65-00, 34-58, 88-70, and the Schreyer Honors College Handbook)

Senate Policy:  65-00, Schreyer Honors College

Undergraduate Advising