Honors Program
The Honors Program at USP offers exceptional students the opportunity for specialized, intensive learning experiences both inside and outside the classroom.
The program is open to students in all majors, though not everyone can be accepted into this small, highly-motivated group of students.
If you take part, you will be recognized as an honors scholar. You will be distinguished both at Commencement and on your final academic transcript. This official designation will tell future graduate schools and employers that you have gone above and beyond as a student at USP.
Special Opportunities
Honors Classes
As an honors student, you will take part in special honors classes and recitations. The workload for these classes is not harder than others at USP, but different. For example you may do smaller, more advanced experiments in a lab course. You may tour historic sites for a history class, or meet with a visiting author in your writing class. You will work in smaller classes and have more independent and group projects.
Honors Advisor
In addition to your regular academic advisor, you will also meet regularly with the Director of the Honors Program, Professor Roy R. Robson. He will be able to help you make your schedule, plan travel and research, and get you involved with service learning and mentorship.
Honors Colloquium
Each year, the Honors Program will bring important scientists, authors, politicians, or artists to campus. You will have the opportunity to meet with these people in small groups, learning from them one-on-one. You will have the chance to share a meal with these individuals and hear them speak at a more formal lecture or performance, all geared to you, our honors students.
Honors Book Grant
In addition to being considered for a merit grant, Honors Program participants will also be considered for an Honors Book Grant to help defray the cost associated with the purchasing of textbooks.
Honors Mentorship and Service
As an honors student you will get to work within the Philadelphia community and on campus. You may be a mentor to a high school student interested in your area of study. You may tutor other USP students in your areas of strength. Your ability to serve will be bounded only by your imagination. To get some ideas on service learning at USP, check out the service learning website.
Honors Special Registration
You will have the opportunity to register early for courses, making sure you get the courses you need to fit into an honors schedule.
More Information
The program is competitive and applications are considered as a whole. The Honors Committee looks for both academically superior students and students with special strengths in other areas such as music, art, drama, and debate.
Contact Us
For more information, please contact Dr. Roy R. Robson, Director of the Honors Program at honors@usp.edu.