Honors College Programs
I. Honors Distinction Requirements:
- Curricular: 9 academic credits of Frederick Honors College approved courses
- Global or Experiential: 3 academic credits from a global or experiential activity (can include research, independent study, study abroad credits, internships, and co-ops)
- Capstone: Already a graduation requirement for all students.
- Outside of the Classroom: Completion of the Pitt-Greensburg Honors OCC (see below)
- Minimum GPA: 3.00
II. Honors Degree Requirements:
- Curricular requirements: 18 academic credits of Frederick Honors College approved courses
- Co-Curricular requirements: 6 experiential credits (including research, independent study, study abroad programs, internships, and co-ops)
- Outside of the classroom curriculum: Completion of the Pitt-Greensburg Honors Outside the Classroom Curriculum (OCC, see below)
- Minimum GPA: 3.25
III. Bachelor of Philosophy
General Degree Requirements
Each BPhil degree candidate must:
- Complete the requirements (e.g., major requirements) to receive a degree from Pitt-Greensburg
- Complete a Program of Study approved by the Frederick Honors College
- Maintain a 3.50 cumulative GPA
More information on BPhil degree >>
Earning Honors Credentials
Academic Credits:
Honors Designated Courses:
Any course can be taken as an H-designated course. The designation indicates that the student engages in learning activities beyond those normally required for the course. Such activities are determined by the nature of the course, but might consist of special projects, extended reading assignments, research, class presentations, etc. The student and instructor will together determine what the learning activity might be.
The instructor and student must sign an Honors Designated Course Agreement Form outlining the enrichment requirements. This should be submitted to the Greensburg administrator of the Honors College no later than the end of the first week of the semester.
The Registrar’s Office will oversee the formal honors designation toward the end of the semester once the plan for the learning activity has been completed.
Honors Option Courses:
Unlike H-designated courses, you can enroll in Honors Option courses at the same time you enroll in all your other courses. They are designed to include additional content for honors students. Rather than having students determine a unique enrichment activity with the instructor, the instructor will pre-design regular courses to have additional content for any student who wishes to take the class as an honors version.
Simply look for “Honors” in the “Gen Ed and Enrollment Notes” column in the Class Schedule to identify classes that you enroll in for honors credit. You may have to get the permission of instructor or ask your advisor to enroll you as a member of the Honors College. Note also that students not involved in any honors program can also enroll in an Honors Option course, but they will need permission from the instructor.
Honors Only Courses:
Some courses may be designated as an honors course without being attached to a standard version of the course. These courses will tend to be interdisciplinary and team-taught. For example, INDIST 1100 is an interdisciplinary special topics course that has been used for honors only courses. The theme and instructors can be very different each time it is offered.
Outside the Classroom Curriculum (OCC):
All students pursuing an Honors College program will be required to complete the Honors GEM OCC (Greensburg Experience More Outside the Classroom Curriculum) by earning 150 points in each of the following competency areas:
- Communication Skills
- Career Preparation
- Appreciation of the Arts
- Global & Cultural Engagement
- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
- Leadership Development
- Well-being
- Civic and Community Engagement
- Honors Pride