Honors Program

Join a community of some of the University’s most talented and driven students and educators to engage in comprehensive analysis and discussion of topics across a wide range of disciplines.
Learn more about the Honors Program in this video from Edinaldo Tebaldi, Ph.D., Professor of Economics

Fostering an exceptional community

Through a commitment to scholarship, service, success, and self-awareness, the Honors Program creates an environment that sparks students’ curiosity – and enhances both their personal lives and professional futures.

Our program fosters an exceptional community. As a member of the Honors Program, you will forge key relationships with faculty and peer mentors that will inspire you to achieve more than you’ve ever imagined and help you build a bright future. 

And through the guidance from a faculty mentor, you will conduct original, in-depth research on a topic that fascinates you and adds to the body of knowledge in your discipline.

What sets the Honors Program apart?

  • The Honors Living-Learning Community: Immerse yourself in a supportive community of high achievers committed to helping and challenging one another.
  • Specially designed courses: Delve into subjects in both business and the liberal arts in a more in-depth and comprehensive manner.
  • Peer and faculty mentors: Build relationships with juniors, seniors, and faculty members who will help you find your path and connect with vital resources.
  • Global citizenry: Explore other countries, earn Honors credits, and foster global citizenry through opportunities such as the Honors Sophomore International Experience and semester-long study abroad programs.
  • Early registration: Register early for classes, ensuring that you are able to secure your first-choice courses.
  • The Honors Thesis: Conduct a comprehensive research project in a subject of your choosing, guided by a faculty mentor. View our Honors Thesis Abstract book here. 
  • Student Honors Council: Become a leader among your peers and help shape Honors Program offerings.
  • Honors service opportunities: Learn how to make a difference in your community through teamwork, planning, and active engagement.
  • Honors senior trip: Travel as a group to a select destination, touring companies such as Google and Oracle and networking with Bryant alumni and other industry, government, and nonprofit leaders.
  • Speakers and seminars: Hear from and interact with a diverse range of speakers from a variety of fields.

The program is open to students majoring in both the College of Business and the College of Arts and Science. Generally, students are invited to the program when they are accepted to Bryant.

Incoming students who were not initially invited to join the Honors Program upon the admission offer to Bryant can also petition to join the Honors Program before starting their studies. The petition must be submitted to Marcia Beaulieu, the Honors Program Administrator, at mbeauli@bryant.edu and include:

  1. a cover letter explaining why you want to join the program;
  2. your resume;
  3. your high school transcript;
  4. a writing sample;
  5. two high school faculty references. Applications must be received at least 45 days before the start of the academic year at Bryant University.

Bryant students who have completed at least one semester of coursework can petition to join the Honors Program. Incoming Transfer students who have completed at least one semester of college coursework can petition to join the Honors Program. A petition must be submitted to Marcia Beaulieu, the Honors Program Coordinator, at mbeauli@bryant.edu and should include:

  1. a cover letter explaining why you want to join the program;
  2. your resume;
  3. your unofficial Bryant transcript.

In addition, a Bryant candidate must ask two Bryant faculty to submit letters of recommendation via email to Ms. Beaulieu at mbeauli@bryant.edu. Incoming Transfer students must submit recommendation letters from two faculty from their previous institution and send via email to Ms. Beaulieu at mbeauli@bryant.edu.

Students must complete seven Honors courses and a Senior Honors Thesis Project. These courses are integrated into overall course requirements and are not extra course requirements. Students must also maintain an overall GPA of 3.40 to graduate with the "Honors” distinction.

Additionally, Honors students are required to participate in co-curricular program functions including Honors Community Service opportunities and the Honors Speaker Series, as well as attend at least one Senior Honors Thesis presentation each year.

The Honors Thesis is an original, in-depth research project conducted by a senior Honors student. Past topics have ranged from examining cryptocurrencies to studying the DotCom bubble to writing an original novel. View our Honors Thesis Abstract book here.

This handbook summarizes the rules, regulations, and requirements for all Bryant University Honors Program students. It is an important publication for you to read and reference as you navigate the program during your four years at Bryant. It outlines the benefits and responsibilities of being an Honors student, as well as the policies and protocols put forth by the Faculty Honors Council.