Academics are a cornerstone of the Penn State Berks honors experience, providing opportunities to grow, explore, and experiment alongside motivated peers and faculty. Students earn honors credit through the different academic experiences described below, each of which provides unique challenges and benefits. At Penn State Berks, first- and second-year students must complete a minimum of 9 honors credits each year, and juniors and seniors must complete a minimum of 14 credits over the final two years.
Honors Courses
Honors courses are signature learning experiences led by committed instructors who are experts in their disciplines and skilled in pedagogy. Classroom dynamics in these courses are driven by energetic discussion and debate; assignments foster creativity, critical thinking, and interdisciplinarity; and activities range from lectures by guest speakers to experiential exercises to class field trips. The classroom community is central to students’ learning.
Honors classes offered at Penn State Berks fulfill curricular requirements in writing and speaking, foundational classes in the natural and social sciences, and electives that satisfy general education requirements.
Honors Options
Honors students may, with the approval of the instructor, earn honors credit for a non-honors course by incorporating work that transforms the course into an honors-quality experience. For instance, the student and instructor may develop a project together that investigates course topics more deeply, or uses alternative methods to probe disciplinary questions, or provides significant enrichment in other ways. Because honors options are typically completed by a single student or a small group of students, they represent a fantastic opportunity for close interaction with faculty. In addition, honors options may lead to larger endeavors, such as research experiences or significant creative works.
Research and Independent Study
Research and other faculty-supervised independent study may be completed for honors credit. Students develop these experiences in collaboration with a faculty mentor to investigate subjects not covered in standard coursework and that represent the leading edge of a field or the intersection of multiple disciplines. Engagement in such activities fosters critical thinking, analytical skills, and creativity and can lead to publications, presentations, exhibitions, and performances that distinguish students when they apply for graduate or professional school or launch their careers.
Advanced Study
First- and second-year students with substantial transfer credit for foundational courses may be able to place into higher-level classes; in recognition of the value of advanced coursework, honors credit is awarded for 400-level classes taken by these students. In addition, any honors student will earn honors credit for graduate classes (500-level or higher) taken as an undergraduate.
Embedded Travel Courses
The Penn State Berks Honors Program routinely offers courses with an international travel component. Overseas trips complement classroom learning and allow students to experience studying abroad in a short timeframe. Honors program funds help defray expenses for students in the course.
Recent Voyages
ENGL 197Q: The Quest visits Ireland (2026).
ENGL 297: Paris in Popular Culture visits France (2024).
In 2023, students in English 297H: Children's Literature traveled to London.
In spring 2022, Penn State Berks History 179H: Latin American History visited Mexico. These students are posing in front of the Teotihuacan Moon Pyramid.