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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.

Admissions Requirements
Frequently Asked Questions
Benefits & Amenities
Message from the Director

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. 

Learn More

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

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).

Physician Assistant Major, Spanish Minor from Pottsville, PA

Student Spotlight

Brittany Buleza, Class of 2019

“I chose to participate in the Honors Institute to enrich my time at Jefferson. During my sophomore year I was the vice president of the Honors Student Association (HSA).

"Jefferson offers many engaging honors courses which deep-dive into issues general courses only touch upon. Aside from the classroom, the Honors Institute challenged me to advance professionally and contribute to my community. To complete cornerstones, I have gained lab skills and experience by researching at Lankenau Institute for Medical Research. I was also motivated to earn my Certified Nurse Aide license, which I used to gain patient contact and workplace experience. Additionally, the Honors Institute inspired me to give back to the Philadelphia community by volunteering at Helping Hand Rescue Mission. Here, I have gained new perspectives, and I plan to continue volunteering at this institution for many years to come. 

"I have had a wonderful experience progressing through the Honors curriculum and cornerstones. By participating in Jefferson’s Honors Institute, not only am I more confident, but I have also created lasting relationships, gained work experience, and improved my leadership abilities.”

Contact Us

Honors Institute Office

Jefferson - East Falls Campus
Gutman Library - 102
Hours: Mon- Fri, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

215-951-5367
Honors@jefferson.edu

Marcella L. McCoy Deh, PhD
Director

DehM@jefferson.edu

Meet the Staff