Philadelphia University Honors Institute at Thomas Jefferson University
The Honors Institute provides academically talented, driven and intellectually curious students substantive curricular and co-curricular experiences in general education, professional and multi-disciplinary tracks, assuring direct and meaningful contact with faculty, outstanding peers and industry leaders.
At Jefferson, Honors students receive advising from top scholars, as well as guidance in the pursuit of prestigious post-graduate scholarship opportunities. Honors courses focus on perfecting analytical reasoning, writing, presentation and overall communication skills, while providing a student-centered experience that promotes experimentation and innovation in teaching, learning and scholarship.
Honors at Jefferson brings together students from different majors to build peer groups that deepen intellectual engagement with faculty and advance collaborative, innovative and professional pursuits.
Our Mission
Our mission is to offer a platform for academically high-achieving students to discover and pursue academic and pre-professional interests, as well as develop leadership skills within an intellectually dynamic and socially vibrant community.
Who We Are
Honors at Jefferson is a community of students, staff and faculty committed to lifelong learning, academic excellence, creative inquiry and community service.
We Value
We value collaborative opportunities that promote the development of:
- Curiosity to pursue your own QUESTIONs,
- Empathy to ADAPT with respect to diverse perspectives,
- Confidence to ACT and apply knowledge in real-world conditions, and
- Courage to CONTRIBUTE ideas that make a difference.
Honors Institute Partners with the Nobel Peace Center
The Honors Institute offers a new program where students learn about peace leadership and what it means for the future. Partners in Peace aims to raise awareness of the Nobel Peace Center and encourage college students to participate in projects to enact peaceful change.
Student Benefits & Amenities
Some of the benefits of being a part of Honors may include:
- Honors undergraduate tuition scholarship
- Honors experiences embedded in your major
- Honors courses in general education
- Honors housing
- Special programming and events
- Dedicated honors advising
- Northeast Regional Honors Conference participation
- Guidance on fellowships/internships/research experiences
- Access to a network of scholars, practitioners and industry leaders
- Accelerated advance degree options
- Leadership development opportunities
Student Spotlight
Rithika Padyala, Class of 2025
“The Honors program has been a pinnacle of my undergraduate experience, offering a wealth of opportunities for growth. Whether through the honors research assistantship or as the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of the award-winning academic journal 1824, Honors has enabled me to develop my leadership skills and realize my potential. The faculty and the Honors community have been pillars of support, without whom I could not have achieved nearly as much as I did during my three years of undergraduate studies."
Professional Honors Affiliations
Northeast Regional Honors Council —Our campus has maintained membership in Northeast Regional Honors Council (NRHC) for over 20 years and sponsors students who are accepted to attend. Each year, students with accepted proposals are sponsored to present their work at NRHC which hosts honors students from colleges in Maryland to Maine. Jefferson has enjoyed consistent representation among student presenters and more recently on the NRHC executive board. The Director is ending a second term on the NRHC Executive Board.
National Collegiate Honors Council —Our campus has maintained membership in National Collegiate Honors Council for over 20 years. This premier honors professional association invites honors leadership to convene annually to share best practices and strategies. Philadelphia University Honors Institute staff participates regularly as conference participant, professional development institutes. The Director serves as an honors program reviewer and was recently elected to the Executive Board (2024-2027).