The Schreyer Honors College (SHC) is Penn State’s University-wide honors program. SHC’s mission is to promote:

  • Academic excellence with integrity,
  • Building a global perspective, and
  • Creating opportunities for leadership and civic engagement.

The Penn State Berks Honors Program shares this mission and many academic standards with SHC, and students in SHC, known as Schreyer Scholars, at Berks are also members of the college honors program. Berks Schreyer Scholars enjoy additional funding opportunities and contact with the University network of SHC students, staff, and alumni.  

Schreyer Scholars at Berks meet with an academic adviser and the honors program coordinator before each year to develop a plan that suits their academic goals and other interests and ambitions. Scholars are introduced to University-wide opportunities for leadership, service, and international study. They interact with research-active faculty to develop an independent research project or creative endeavor; their SHC education culminates in the completion of an independent thesis.

Penn State Berks is one of only seven Penn State campuses where Schreyer Scholars may complete their studies. Alternatively, Schreyer Scholars may change to University Park or another campus to finish their degree, in which case the curricular offerings of the Berks College Honors Program help them fulfill their SHC requirements.

Eligibility and Admission

Students may apply to SHC as entering college students in the fall of their senior year of high school. Admission is based on essays, teacher recommendations, class rank, and GPA; find more details about selection criteria on the SHC website.

Current Penn State students, with the guidance of the honors coordinator and other Berks faculty, may apply at the end of their first or second year of college; applications typically open in early April and are due in mid-May. Current student applicants must have at least three semesters of college remaining as of the fall semester after application, have a cumulative GPA of 3.70 or higher and a GPA of 3.50 or higher for the application semester, and consult with the honors coordinator and a Berks faculty member who is prepared to supervise the applicant’s thesis if accepted.

More Information

Visit the SHC website for the Schreyer Scholar handbook including retention requirements and other important information about the program. Current Scholars may access the SHC Student Records System for online form submissions.