Setting the Standard Honors Requirements

Planning your academic path, including the timeline for your honors thesis, is an integral part of the honors experience.

Handbook SRS
Schreyer Scholar Emily Zheng pointing at the ticker in the Smeal College of Business

Remain in Good Standing Requirements by Admit Type

To remain in good standing and retain the benefits of being a Scholar in the Schreyer Honors College, you must meet minimum GPA requirements, honors course and credit requirements, and submission deadlines for required forms. The requirements are determined by your year of entry into the College.

First-Year Admits

Scholars admitted to the Schreyer Honors College as first-year students must:

  • Enroll in and pass, with a grade of C or higher, ENGL/CAS 137H/138T during your first two semesters
  • Maintain a semester and cumulative GPA of at least 3.40
  • Submit the Schreyer Plan
  • Complete 21 honors credits during your first and second years (includes ENGL/CAS 137H/138T)
  • Complete 14 honors credits during your third and fourth years
  • Submit an approved honors thesis, meeting all thesis requirements and deadlines

Second-Year Admits (including Paterno Fellows)

Scholars admitted to the Schreyer Honors College as second-year students must:

  • Maintain a semester and cumulative GPA of at least 3.40
  • Submit the Schreyer Plan
  • Complete 9 honors credits during your second year
  • Complete 14 honors credits during your third and fourth years
  • Submit an approved honors thesis, meeting all thesis requirements and deadlines

Third-Year Admits (including Paterno Fellows)

Scholars admitted to the Schreyer Honors College as third-year students must:

  • Maintain a semester and cumulative GPA of at least 3.40
  • Submit the Schreyer Plan
  • Complete 14 honors credits during your third and fourth years
  • Submit an approved honors thesis, meeting all thesis requirements and deadlines

Mark Your Calendar Academic Deadlines

Please check the current semester and the semester you plan to graduate.

General Deadlines
  • Honors Option Deadline

    Thursday, August 1, 2024 11:59 PM

Deadlines for Graduating Scholars
  • Thesis Proposal Deadline

    Thursday, July 13, 2023 11:59 PM

  • Thesis Check-In Deadline

    Monday, June 3, 2024 11:59 PM

  • Thesis Format Review Deadline

    Wednesday, July 3, 2024 11:59 PM

  • Final Thesis Submission Deadline

    Wednesday, July 10, 2024 11:59 PM

  • Thesis Faculty Approval

    Tuesday, July 16, 2024 11:59 PM

  • Medals Ceremony Registration Deadline

    Thursday, July 25, 2024 11:59 PM

General Deadlines
  • Honors Option Deadline

    Friday, September 13, 2024 11:59 PM

  • Schreyer Plan Deadline for New Scholars

    Monday, September 16, 2024 11:59 PM

Priority Registration for Next Semester (subject to change)
  • Priority Registration for Spring

    Wednesday, October 9, 2024 12:00 AM

Deadlines for Graduating Scholars
  • Thesis Proposal Deadline

    Thursday, November 16, 2023 11:59 PM

  • Thesis Check-In Deadline

    Friday, September 6, 2024 11:59 PM

  • Thesis Format Review Deadline

    Tuesday, October 29, 2024 11:59 PM

  • Final Thesis Submission Deadline

    Tuesday, November 5, 2024 11:59 PM

  • Thesis Faculty Approval

    Tuesday, November 12, 2024 11:59 PM

  • Medals Ceremony Registration Deadline

    Tuesday, November 12, 2024 11:59 PM

General Deadlines
  • Honors Option Deadline

    Friday, January 31, 2025 11:59 PM

  • Schreyer Plan Deadline for All Scholars

    Monday, February 3, 2025 11:59 PM

Priority Registration for Next Semester (subject to change)
  • Priority Registration for Summer

    Monday, February 3, 2025 12:00 AM

    Priority Registration for Fall

    12:00 AM

Deadlines for Graduating Scholars
  • Thesis Proposal Deadline

    Sunday, April 14, 2024 11:59 PM

  • Thesis Check-In Deadline

    Friday, January 31, 2025 11:59 PM

  • Thesis Format Review Deadline

    Saturday, March 1, 2025 11:59 PM

  • Final Thesis Submission Deadline

    Tuesday, April 1, 2025 11:59 PM

  • Thesis Faculty Approval

    Tuesday, April 8, 2025 11:59 PM

  • Medals Ceremony Registration Deadline

    Friday, March 28, 2025 11:59 PM

General Deadlines
  • Honors Option Deadline

    Friday, June 6, 2025 11:59 PM

Deadlines for Graduating Scholars
  • Thesis Proposal Deadline

    Friday, July 12, 2024 11:59 PM

  • Thesis Check-In Deadline

    Monday, June 2, 2025 11:59 PM

  • Thesis Format Review Deadline

    Wednesday, July 2, 2025 11:59 PM

  • Final Thesis Submission Deadline

    Tuesday, July 8, 2025 11:59 PM

  • Thesis Faculty Approval

    Tuesday, July 15, 2025 11:59 PM

  • Medals Ceremony Registration Deadline

    Tuesday, July 15, 2025 11:59 PM

Be Prepared Graduating with Honors

To graduate with honors, you must ensure that you have followed the requirements and recommendations below.

Schreyer Scholar Emily Snow

I think being in the Schreyer Honors College definitely helped me have a leg up in finding research opportunities and having professors confident in my ability to take on the responsibility of research. I’m working with stem cells and regenerative medicine. I was awarded an Erickson Discovery Grant this past summer and then the College gave me a summer grant to work on my research.

Emily Snow ' 23 Biomedical Engineering

Setting the Standard Honors Requirements

Handbook SRS