Honors Program

Clarkson University designed our Honors Program for students fueled by intellectual curiosity and new, perspective-transforming experiences. Open to incoming first-year, transfer and current Clarkson students, as well as Clarkson School participants, the program encourages your academic drive and personal growth through a combination of research, hands-on learning and a unique curriculum, plus access to study abroad opportunities, internships and conferences.

Interested in where curiosity and the pursuit of discovery can take you? The Honors Program requires a separate application. Accepted students are then eligible for awards up to $2,000.

Unique, Hands-On Curriculum

An alternative to the Clarkson Common Experience, the Honors curriculum is a separate track of courses that develops ethical awareness and vital interdisciplinary skills in problem-solving, teamwork and communication.

Research Programs

Research opportunities cultivate critical thinking and collaborative relationships with faculty. You can begin during the five-week pre-frosh summer program and continue your pursuits through 10-week summer programs for current students. Throughout, you’ll have access to mentorship, will take part in cutting-edge research and will prepare to present your findings at the Research and Project Showcase.

Mentorship and Professional Development

The Honors program provides dedicated advising and professional development opportunities to help students envision and pursue their career goals. Along with mentorship from faculty, participating in the Honors Program opens the door to study abroad and off-campus learning opportunities, presenting your work at conferences, internships and service learning.

Community on Campus and Beyond

Reserve a spot in the Honors Program Living-Learning Community. As you look ahead, alumni mentorship programs help build social support, professional networks and lifelong friendships. Continue your pursuit of leadership by getting involved in Honors Program student government, where you’ll have a chance to shape its direction.

Scholarships

The Honors Educational Enhancement Scholarship (HEES) provides up to $2,000 for scholarship and professional activities, including studying abroad, conference travel, unpaid internships, research and other opportunities to apply knowledge outside the classroom.

Curriculum and Expectations

At Clarkson, we believe in learning through doing. The Honors curriculum amplifies this factor through courses exploring creative problem-solving, research and collaboration where science, technology and society intersect. Along with learning from other Honors Program students, you’ll complete a capstone project reflecting your originality of thought, research, creativity and scholarship.

Honors Curriculum

Capstone Project Requirements

The Honors Program has helped me greatly while I have been at Clarkson. They have opened many doors for me and are the reason I was able to start in a research lab so early on in my undergraduate career. I participated in the pre-frosh research program during Summer 2019, and that is when I began working with Dr. Wilke. I am now Dr. Wilke’s teaching assistant for all of his classes and his research lab manager. Without the Honors Program, I may never have made that connection.

Gracie DeLaBruere '23

How to Apply

Clarkson opens the Honors Program to incoming first-year and transfer students, current Clarkson students and those enrolled in the Clarkson School’s early college courses. The program requires a separate application involving short essay questions, a résumé and the opportunity to tell us about your passion. Transfer and current Clarkson students must additionally show that they have earned a 3.25 minimum GPA for all completed coursework.

Review Application Requirements