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

Top Tips

Regularly consult the Scholar Handbook for your respective class.

Take advantage of early scheduling opportunities.

Check in regularly with your assigned honors adviser.

Mark Your Calendar Important Dates & Deadlines

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

General Deadlines
  • Honors Option Deadline

    Friday, June 30, 2023

Deadlines for Graduating Scholars
  • Thesis Proposal Deadline

    Thursday, July 14, 2022

  • Thesis Midpoint Check-In Deadline

  • Thesis Format Review Deadline

    Wednesday, July 5, 2023

  • Final Thesis Submission Deadline

    Monday, July 10, 2023

  • Thesis Faculty Approval

    Monday, July 17, 2023

  • Thesis Schreyer Approval Deadline

    Tuesday, July 18, 2023

  • Senior Reception

    Saturday, August 12, 2023, TBA, TBA

  • Medals Ceremony

    Saturday, August 12, 2023, 9:00 AM, Bryce Jordan Center

General Deadlines
  • Honors Option Deadline

    Friday, September 8, 2023

  • Schreyer Plan Deadline for New Scholars

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

Deadlines for Graduating Scholars
  • Thesis Proposal Deadline

    Thursday, November 17, 2022

  • Thesis Midpoint Check-In Deadline

    Friday, September 1, 2023

  • Thesis Format Review Deadline

    Monday, October 30, 2023

  • Final Thesis Submission Deadline

    Monday, November 6, 2023

  • Thesis Faculty Approval

    Monday, November 13, 2023

  • Thesis Schreyer Approval Deadline

    Wednesday, November 15, 2023

  • Senior Reception

    Friday, December 15, 2023, TBA, TBA

  • Medals Ceremony

    Friday, December 15, 2023, 5:00 PM, Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel

General Deadlines
  • Honors Option Deadline

    Friday, January 26, 2024

  • Schreyer Plan Deadline for All Scholars

    Saturday, March 2, 2024

Deadlines for Graduating Scholars
  • Thesis Proposal Deadline

    Saturday, April 15, 2023

  • Thesis Midpoint Check-In Deadline

    Friday, January 26, 2024

  • Thesis Format Review Deadline

    Saturday, March 2, 2024

  • Final Thesis Submission Deadline

    Tuesday, April 2, 2024

  • Thesis Faculty Approval

    Tuesday, April 9, 2024

  • Thesis Schreyer Approval Deadline

    Thursday, April 11, 2024

  • Senior Reception

    Friday, May 3, 2024, TBA, TBA

  • Medals Ceremony

    Friday, May 3, 2024, 4:30 PM, TBD

General Deadlines
  • Honors Option Deadline

    Saturday, June 29, 2024

Deadlines for Graduating Scholars
  • Thesis Proposal Deadline

    Thursday, July 13, 2023

  • Thesis Midpoint Check-In Deadline

  • Thesis Format Review Deadline

    Wednesday, July 3, 2024

  • Final Thesis Submission Deadline

    Tuesday, July 9, 2024

  • Thesis Faculty Approval

    Tuesday, July 16, 2024

  • Thesis Schreyer Approval Deadline

    Wednesday, July 17, 2024

  • Senior Reception

    Sunday, August 11, 2024, TBA, TBA

  • Medals Ceremony

    Sunday, August 11, 2024, 9:00 AM, Bryce Jordan Center

General Deadlines
  • Honors Option Deadline

    Friday, September 6, 2024

  • Schreyer Plan Deadline for New Scholars

Deadlines for Graduating Scholars
  • Thesis Proposal Deadline

    Thursday, November 16, 2023

  • Thesis Midpoint Check-In Deadline

    Friday, September 6, 2024

  • Thesis Format Review Deadline

    Tuesday, October 29, 2024

  • Final Thesis Submission Deadline

    Tuesday, November 5, 2024

  • Thesis Faculty Approval

    Tuesday, November 12, 2024

  • Thesis Schreyer Approval Deadline

    Thursday, November 14, 2024

  • Senior Reception

    Saturday, December 14, 2024, TBA, TBA

  • Medals Ceremony

    Saturday, December 14, 2024, 5:00 PM, Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel

General Deadlines
  • Honors Option Deadline

    Saturday, January 25, 2025

  • Schreyer Plan Deadline for All Scholars

    Saturday, March 1, 2025

Deadlines for Graduating Scholars
  • Thesis Proposal Deadline

    Sunday, April 14, 2024

  • Thesis Midpoint Check-In Deadline

    Friday, January 31, 2025

  • Thesis Format Review Deadline

    Saturday, March 1, 2025

  • Final Thesis Submission Deadline

    Tuesday, April 1, 2025

  • Thesis Faculty Approval

    Tuesday, April 8, 2025

  • Thesis Schreyer Approval Deadline

    Thursday, April 10, 2025

  • Senior Reception

    Saturday, May 3, 2025, TBA, TBA

  • Medals Ceremony

    Saturday, May 3, 2025, 4:30 PM, Bryce Jordan Center

General Deadlines
  • Honors Option Deadline

    Saturday, June 28, 2025

Deadlines for Graduating Scholars
  • Thesis Proposal Deadline

    Friday, July 12, 2024

  • Thesis Midpoint Check-In Deadline

  • Thesis Format Review Deadline

    Wednesday, July 2, 2025

  • Final Thesis Submission Deadline

    Tuesday, July 8, 2025

  • Thesis Faculty Approval

    Tuesday, July 15, 2025

  • Thesis Schreyer Approval Deadline

    Wednesday, July 16, 2025

  • Senior Reception

    Sunday, August 10, 2025, TBA, TBA

  • Medals Ceremony

    Sunday, August 10, 2025, 9:00 AM, Bryce Jordan Center

Be Prepared Graduating with Honors

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

Schreyer Scholar Anna Shamory

Through Schreyer, I was able to gain not only academic validation but also an opportunity to study abroad in Israel last summer, at an archaeological dig. The field experience and cultural immersion allowed me to take Schreyer abroad — their values of leadership and self-improvement were right there with me, every day.

Anna Shamory ' 20 Archaeological Science & Classics and Ancient Mediterranean Studies

Setting the Standard Honors Requirements

Handbook SRS