Honors students pursue innovative research projects and join other ambitious students in classes taught by PennWest’s most distinguished faculty. They have opportunities to make the most of their PennWest education and to position themselves to excel after graduation, in graduate or professional school or beginning a successful career.
Honors students will complete 24 honors credits (as part of the required credits all students need for graduation) of student-centered, research/ creative intensive coursework with small class sizes and full-time faculty. These courses begin with honors versions of first year writing and public speaking classes and conclude with a thesis project, completed under the mentorship of honors faculty. In between, students have the opportunity to take a wide range of honors sections of general education courses.
High school seniors applying for admission to PennWest will be offered a seat in the Honors Program if they meet one of the following set of criteria:
Current PennWest or transfer students interested in Honors Program admission consideration must have earned a minimum cumulative college GPA of 3.50.
For students who don’t meet the criteria for automatic admission to the Honors Program, please find the honors admission application below.
All Honors Program applications and materials are reviewed by the directors and honors faculty. We are looking for ambitious, curious students who are looking to enrich their university experience.
Read more about the Honors Program Requirements.
Only incoming high school graduates admitted to the Honors Program are eligible for consideration for additional scholarships. These awards are in addition to the one-time $1,000 Honors Award Scholarship.
These scholarship funds are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis for students who complete the Honors Scholarship Application prior to the March 1 priority deadline.
The application priority deadline for Honors Program admission and scholarship consideration is March 1. By April 1, most if not all of the Honors scholarships will have been awarded. However, exceptional late-arriving applications could result in an Honors scholarship offer if an earlier recipient chooses not to accept their award.
Please review the following checklist before starting your application:
1. I have applied, or intend to apply, to live on the Honors Living-Learning Floor or building at the California, Clarion, or Edinboro campus. (This is optional. You are not required to live in the honors residences.)
2. I am a current PennWest or transfer student with a minimum cumulative college GPA of 3.5.
3. I have included the following materials for consideration:
By filling out this application, you are applying for admission consideration to the Honors Program.
The Honors Program strives to provide a select group of high-achieving new students as well as current students and transfers, with a safe, supportive community in which to excel academically, socially and professionally.
Directors
California: Dr. M. G. Aune, Director
Clarion: Dr. Rod Raehsler, Associate Director
Edinboro: Dr. Lenore Barbian, Associate Director
Support Staff
California: Kim Orslene, Administrative Assistant
Edinboro: Brianna Ramey, Secretary
General Inquiries
Email:
California: honors-cal@pennwest.edu
Clarion: honors-cla@pennwest.edu
Edinboro: honors-edn@pennwest.edu
California: 724-938-4535
Clarion: 814-393-2343
Edinboro: 814-732-2981