University Honors Program

University Honors Program

Amanda Neuber, Director
204 Tuttleman Learning Center
215-204-0710
honors@temple.edu
admissions.temple.edu/honors

The Temple University Honors Program is an interdisciplinary undergraduate program that fosters a supportive network of diverse and motivated scholars, guided by the following pillars: Intellectual Curiosity, Inclusive Community, Social Courage, Integrity in Leadership.

Our goal is to produce well-rounded creators of knowledge with the confidence to advocate for themselves and others. We value collaboration over competition and encourage challenge by individual choice.

To accomplish this, we offer in-depth seminar classes, a wide array of interactive co-curricular experiences, and personalized holistic advising - all within a dynamic and inclusive community.

Honors Program Admissions

Incoming first-year students are automatically reviewed upon acceptance to Temple University. Current Temple students or transfer students can apply for admission through the Honors web site. Applications for current Temple students and transfer students are reviewed at the end of each semester (dates available on our web site).

Honors Certificate Requirements

To earn the Honors certificate and transcript notation upon graduation, students must complete Honors course requirements (outlined below) and have at least a 3.25 cumulative GPA at the time of graduation.

  • Incoming First-Year Honors Student Course Requirements:
    • All Honors students who enter the program as first-time, first-year students must successfully pass at least ten Honors courses at Temple to complete Honors Program requirements.
    • English 0902 Requirement: If a student needs to complete the English 0802 General Education requirement, they must take the Honors version, English 0902. If they are waived from this requirement for any reason (e.g., AP, placement test, dual enrollment), they must replace English 0902 with any other Honors course (the final number of Honors courses must equal 10 to complete requirements).
    • Intellectual Heritage (IH) Requirement: Intellectual Heritage 0951 and 0952 are required. If a student only needs one IH course (e.g., 45+ students), it must be taken in Honors and the other IH requirement can be replaced with any Honors course (the final number of Honors courses must equal 10 to complete the requirements).
    • Upper-Level Requirement: Four of the ten Honors courses must be at or above the 2000 level.
      • Students are permitted to take as many Honors courses as they wish.
    • See "Definition of an Honors Course" for more details.
  • Program Requirements for Transfer Students or Temple students admitted after their first semester of college:
    • Students admitted to Honors after their first college semester with fewer than 30 credits must complete ten Honors courses at Temple (four of the ten must be at or above the 2000 level).
    • Students admitted to Honors after their first college semester who have accrued between 30 and 59 credits must complete eight Honors courses at Temple (four of which must be at or above the 2000 level).
    • Students admitted to Honors after their first college semester with 60 or more credits need to complete six Honors courses at Temple (four of which must be at or above the 2000 level).
    • The English and Intellectual Heritage requirements listed above also apply. If a student has completed English or IH GenEd requirements prior to joining Honors, they do not need to be retaken. However, the total number of Honors courses must still be completed.

Definition of an Honors Course

  • Any three-credit designated Honors course will automatically satisfy an Honors course requirement (lower-level courses = 0900-1999 / upper-level courses = 2900-4999). All Honors courses can be identified by the following course numbering system:
    • 0900 - 0999 General Education Honors Courses: Courses numbered 0900-0999 are appropriate for any undergraduate General Education Honors course requirements.
    • x9xx Honors Courses: Undergraduate Honors courses will be identified by a 9 as the second digit of the course number and will have "Honors" as the first word of the title. The 9 in the second position will not be used by any non-Honors undergraduate course. General Education Honors courses are designated 09xx.
  • One-credit Honors Labs (e.g. CHEM 1953) do not count towards Honors course totals.
  • Other courses that will satisfy Honors course requirements:
    • HNRS 1901 Honors First Year Seminar I - Honors REACT (as of Fall 2021) will satisfy 1 lower-level Honors course requirement. Any HNRS 1901 taken prior to Fall 2021 will not count.
    • HNRS 3902 Honors Peer Mentor Development (as of Spring 2023) will satisfy 1 upper-level Honors course requirement.
    • Completion of Honors Thesis Course Sequence (HNRS 4901 Creating Knowledge: Honors Thesis Project Design and HNRS 4999 Honors Thesis) will satisfy 1 upper-level Honors course requirement.
    • Graduate Course Waiver - Honors Students can take 1 graduate course (5000 or higher) to satisfy 1 upper-level Honors course requirement. More information can be found on the Honors Program web site. Students must submit the Honors Graduate Course Waiver Form in order for the Honors staff to know that the student wishes the course to count towards their Honors program requirements.
  • Most Honors courses are designed to be taken outside of a student's major, field or college. As a center for interdisciplinary learning, it is imperative that Honors students receive a well-rounded education in and out of their chosen domain. Honors students are encouraged to take as many Honors courses as possible.
  • Honors has a set of standards that articulates the philosophy and goals of an Honors course.

Suggested Academic Progress

To complete Honors courses in a timely manner, the following academic progress is suggested:

  • Minimum of 3 total Honors courses completed by the end of the First year.
  • Minimum of 6 total Honors courses completed by the end of the Second year or 30 earned Temple credits.
  • Minimum of 8 total Honors courses completed by the end of the Third year or 60 earned Temple credits.
  • Minimum of 10 total Honors courses completed by the time of graduation.

Honors Senior Project (Optional)

The Honors Senior Project is designed for Junior/Senior year Honors students who want to complete an advanced research project in addition to their other Honors Program requirements. This project is meant to be an interdisciplinary exercise—we ask that students collaborate with faculty outside of their primary field of study or incorporate multiple disciplines in the research design. Students will work closely with a faculty mentor and an outside reader to research, write, revise, and present their work prior to graduation. The faculty mentor will ultimately be the arbiter of success with this project. Learn more about the Honors Senior Project.

Required courses:

  • HNRS 4901 Creating Knowledge: Honors Thesis Project Design - To be taken spring semester of Junior Year.
  • HNRS 4999 Honors Thesis - To be completed fall semester of Senior year.

Students who wish to amend the Honors Thesis timeline may discuss possibilities with a member of the Honors staff.

Temple Honors Advising

Students can make an appointment with an Honors advisor through their TUportal and/or may visit the Honors Program Office in Tuttleman Learning Center, Room 201.

Honors Advisors can help with Honors Program requirements, 4-year planning, major selection, academic coaching, study abroad planning*, professional development, and more.

Specific questions about major or degree requirements should be directed to the school/college advisor.

*Study Abroad advisor recommendations must be completed by school/college advisors.

It is recommended that students meet with an Honors advisor at least once per semester to ensure Honors requirements are on track.

Learn more about Temple Honors advising.

Program