Honors Program
The Mission of Seton Hill's Honors Program: Curiosity, Innovation & Conscious Global Citizenship
The Seton Hill University Honors Program engages a diverse community of undergraduate students through an interdisciplinary liberal arts curriculum that invites intellectual curiosity, innovative problem solving and conscious global citizenship. Through the Honors curriculum, independent research in their disciplines, and community engagement, we expect honors students to take intellectual risks, to engage in a rigorous exploration of the liberal arts, and to demonstrate authentic social engagement. We seek to form a community of lifelong learners who use critical and creative thinking to fulfill our Setonian Mission of transforming the world.
Honors Program Benefits & Distinctions
- Smaller, seminar-style classes.
- Honors Program advisor.
- Opportunity for independent research in a chosen field, in the form of the Honors Capstone Project & Symposium.
- Honors distinction at graduation.
- Opportunity for letter of recommendation from the Honors Program director.
- Honors Scholarship.
- Honors Housing.
Honors Curriculum
Honors students take honors sections of four required liberal arts courses, in addition to the Introductory Honors Seminar and the Honors Capstone Experience.
Honors Housing
Honors Housing is available to a limited number of first-year students accepted into the Honors Program who plan to live on campus. Housing is offered on a first-come, first-served basis, with priority determined by the date the Resident Student Admissions Deposit is received. Honors Housing has an additional cost compared to traditional first-year housing, and availability is not guaranteed.
Honors Community
Students are expected to demonstrate sincere engagement with the Honors Program community through active leadership, attendance at social events and academic programming, and involvement in the Honors Council.
Apply to the Honors Program
Students must first be admitted to Seton Hill University to be considered for the Honors Program.
Who is Invited to Apply?
Students who meet the following academic criteria will be invited to apply to the Honors Program:
- First-Year Students: Minimum 3.5 cumulative high school GPA.
- Transfer Students with fewer than 30 college credits: Minimum 3.5 cumulative college GPA.
Eligible students will receive an invitation with instructions for completing the Honors Program application.
What Do We Consider?
Admission to the Honors Program is selective. The Honors Advisory Committee reviews each applicant and considers academic achievement and record of community service and engagement.
Consideration may include:
- High school GPA and strength of curriculum.
- Academic achievement.
- Leadership and community engagement.
- Commitment to service.
- Intellectual curiosity and interest in the Honors experience.
- Honors application essay.
- Supplemental material submitted by the applicant.
Honors Application
The Honors application is your opportunity to tell us more about your experiences, interests, and what you hope to contribute to the Seton Hill Honors community.
Your application will include:
- Activities & Community Engagement
Share the experiences that have been most meaningful to you outside the classroom, including leadership, service, employment, extracurricular activities, athletics, creative pursuits, family responsibilities or involvement in your school or community. - Honors Essay
Complete a 300–500 word essay reflecting on the Honors Program Mission and how your experiences have prepared you to contribute to the Seton Hill Honors community. - Optional Supplemental Material
You may submit one additional item that helps the Honors Advisory Committee learn more about you. This could include a letter of recommendation, video message, original art or creative work, research or academic work, media coverage or recognition, or another item that highlights your interests, accomplishments or experiences.
Fall 2027 Honors Application Timeline
November 1: Applications open
February 1: Application deadline
March 1: Honors decisions released
All applications must be submitted by February 1. Following the application deadline, completed applications will be reviewed by the Honors Advisory Committee, with decisions released by March 1.
If You're Accepted to Honors
Students accepted into the Honors Program will receive their Honors decision along with information about accepting their offer and confirming their place in the program.
To Confirm Your Place in the Honors Program:
- Submit your Seton Hill enrollment deposit (if you haven't already).
- Once your deposit is received, the Honors Program Acceptance and Contract will appear in your Admissions Portal as a New Student Checklist item.
- Complete the Honors Program Acceptance and Contract to accept your Honors offer and confirm your place in the program.
Honors Program space is limited. Acceptance into the Honors Program does not automatically reserve a place in the incoming cohort. Spaces are confirmed on a first-deposited, first-confirmed basis until the Honors Program is full.
Honors Program Questions
Contact the Honors Program at honors@setonhill.edu with questions about eligibility, applications, decisions, program requirements, or the Honors experience.
Other Honors Programs & Societies at Seton Hill
Seton Hill also offers membership in the National Society of Leadership and Success for students in the Online Bachelor's & Certificates and Graduate Programs, as well as honors clubs and societies for students in specific areas of study.
We're Here to Help!
To contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, fill out our online Request for Information form. You may also get in touch any time at (724) 838-4281, (800) 826-6234 or admit@setonhill.edu.
