Honors & Scholars Programs
- Related Links
- University Honors Program
- John W. Berry Sr. Scholars Program
The University of Dayton offers two different but clearly related programs for its most academically accomplished students. Both the University Honors and John W. Berry Sr. Scholars Programs share the Catholic, Marianist philosophy of education — one that recognizes the dignity and encourages the development of the special intellectual and creative gifts of each student. Both programs also provide leadership opportunities and encourage ethical sensitivity and social responsibility in each student.
The Honors and Berry Scholars Programs fulfill this mission in distinctive ways. Once accepted into the Honors Program, the individual student chooses his or her level of involvement. Each academic area of the University — the College of Arts and Sciences, School of Business Administration, School of Education and Allied Professions, and School of Engineering — collaborates with the University Honors Program to offer diverse curricular and extracurricular opportunities and benefits to its University Honors students.
The Berry Scholars Program emphasizes shared learning for a small group of selected students through a sequence of required seminars, culminating in a year-long independent research project. These seminars and thesis work combine a strong and broad foundation in liberal and professional education with individual research opportunities supported by the program's independent endowment.
Those students planning to graduate with the special Honors Program-designated diploma must earn a certain number of Honors credits, fulfill leadership and service requirements, and complete an Honors Thesis project. The specific requirements and ways in which they can be met are listed on the Honors Program Web site.
Eligibility for the University Honors Program
Incoming First-Year Students
Once you have been admitted to the University of Dayton, you will automatically be designated a University Honors student if you meet both of the following criteria: 1) combined SAT of 1290 or above or a composite ACT of 29 or above, and 2) 3.7 GPA or above.
If you do not meet these initial criteria, you may still be considered for admission to the University Honors Program. In this case, you should contact the Office of Admission, or the Office of the Dean in the school in which you are enrolled, and request a reassessment of your qualifications.
Transfer Students
Any student transferring from another college or university who has a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.5 with 30 or more semester hours of accepted transfer credit is automatically designated a University Honors student.
Continuing UD Students
If you are not admitted to the Honors Program as an incoming student, you may still request admission to the Honors Program at the completion of your first year (with at least 30 credit hours) or second year (with at least 60 credit hours), if you have a 3.5 cumulative grade point average or higher.
Members of the University Honors Program must maintain a 3.5 cumulative grade point average to remain in the program. As juniors, they will decide whether or not they wish to undertake an Honors Thesis project. Students who choose not to pursue the thesis project or complete the other requirements may remain in the program, but will not receive the Honors Program designation on their diploma.
Berry Scholars take a series of six seminars together (approximately 15 students in each section), all of which fulfill University General Education requirements. Each Berry Scholar also undertakes an undergraduate Honors Thesis project about a topic of his or her choosing. Additional program requirements include an approved education abroad or cultural immersion experience, and participation in the leadership in community and the Berry Scholars service programs. A typical course of study is:
Benefits and Privileges for Berry Scholars Students
In addition to the previously outlined benefits of the University Honors Program, Berry Scholars receive the following privileges and benefits:
Academic Benefits
Eligibility for the Berry Scholars Program
Only incoming first-year students who are admitted to the University of Dayton and who meet the requirements of the University Honors Program are eligible to apply to the John W. Berry Sr. Scholars Program. The program selects a maximum of 30 entering students from applicants across all undergraduate divisions.
Application Procedure
There is no special Berry Scholars Program application form. Please complete the following steps to apply:
University Honors and John W. Berry Sr. Scholars Programs
Telephone: 937-229-4615
E-mail: jill.talley@notes.udayton.edu
The Honors and Berry Scholars Programs fulfill this mission in distinctive ways. Once accepted into the Honors Program, the individual student chooses his or her level of involvement. Each academic area of the University — the College of Arts and Sciences, School of Business Administration, School of Education and Allied Professions, and School of Engineering — collaborates with the University Honors Program to offer diverse curricular and extracurricular opportunities and benefits to its University Honors students.
The Berry Scholars Program emphasizes shared learning for a small group of selected students through a sequence of required seminars, culminating in a year-long independent research project. These seminars and thesis work combine a strong and broad foundation in liberal and professional education with individual research opportunities supported by the program's independent endowment.
The University Honors Program
The University Honors Program provides enriched courses and special programming for its students. Each academic division of the University designates a variety of special Honors courses or Honors sections of regular courses, many of which fulfill General Education requirements. Honors students may choose which courses to take, and all Honors courses are specially notated on the student's transcript.
Those students planning to graduate with the special Honors Program-designated diploma must earn a certain number of Honors credits, fulfill leadership and service requirements, and complete an Honors Thesis project. The specific requirements and ways in which they can be met are listed on the Honors Program Web site.
Benefits and Privileges for University Honors Students
The Honors Program sponsors a variety of benefits and special events for students:
- The annual Honors Address brings in a noted speaker.
- Incoming first-year students read a literary work for their Honors English class, and the author comes to campus for the annual Honors Author Program.
- Honors students are assured academic scholarships through the University's scholarship selection process, provided appropriate application materials are submitted by the due date.
- Honors students may apply for grants to assist with international projects through the University's Cordell W. Hull International Fellows Fund.
- Honors students may apply for grants to assist with Honors Thesis projects, and for travel funds to present their research at scholarly or professional conferences.
- The Center for Graduate Guidance and Post-Baccalaureate Scholarships assists students considering graduate school and students applying for prestigious awards and national competitive fellowships.
- Honors students are guaranteed University housing for four years and are eligible for Honors housing and Honors residential programming.
- The Honors Program sponsors social and cultural events for its members.
- Honors students who complete the program requirements receive a diploma with the University Honors notation.
Eligibility for the University Honors Program
Incoming First-Year Students
Once you have been admitted to the University of Dayton, you will automatically be designated a University Honors student if you meet both of the following criteria: 1) combined SAT of 1290 or above or a composite ACT of 29 or above, and 2) 3.7 GPA or above.
If you do not meet these initial criteria, you may still be considered for admission to the University Honors Program. In this case, you should contact the Office of Admission, or the Office of the Dean in the school in which you are enrolled, and request a reassessment of your qualifications.
Transfer Students
Any student transferring from another college or university who has a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.5 with 30 or more semester hours of accepted transfer credit is automatically designated a University Honors student.
Continuing UD Students
If you are not admitted to the Honors Program as an incoming student, you may still request admission to the Honors Program at the completion of your first year (with at least 30 credit hours) or second year (with at least 60 credit hours), if you have a 3.5 cumulative grade point average or higher.
Members of the University Honors Program must maintain a 3.5 cumulative grade point average to remain in the program. As juniors, they will decide whether or not they wish to undertake an Honors Thesis project. Students who choose not to pursue the thesis project or complete the other requirements may remain in the program, but will not receive the Honors Program designation on their diploma.
The John W. Berry Sr. Scholars Program
The John W. Berry Sr. Scholars Program is the University of Dayton's most renowned University-wide academic program, with more than 25 years of student academic achievement. The program selects up to 30 students of broad and varied interests in each incoming class to maximize their intellectual talents and abilities within a close-knit, supportive yet intellectually stimulating environment.
Berry Scholars take a series of six seminars together (approximately 15 students in each section), all of which fulfill University General Education requirements. Each Berry Scholar also undertakes an undergraduate Honors Thesis project about a topic of his or her choosing. Additional program requirements include an approved education abroad or cultural immersion experience, and participation in the leadership in community and the Berry Scholars service programs. A typical course of study is:
- Summer before entering: leadership in community program
- First year: English, religious studies and history seminars
- Second year: philosophy and social science seminars, and Berry Scholars service program
- Third year: engineering systems design seminar, Honors Thesis research, and study abroad or cultural immersion
- Fourth year: completion of Honors Thesis and an optional senior colloquium
Benefits and Privileges for Berry Scholars Students
In addition to the previously outlined benefits of the University Honors Program, Berry Scholars receive the following privileges and benefits:
Academic Benefits
- Berry Scholars may register on the first day of their class registration period.
- They may take graduate courses in their major fields.
- Berry Scholars may have the opportunity to meet with visiting scholars, artists, alumni or other distinguished visitors to campus.
- The Berry Scholars Program has an outstanding reputation with prestigious graduate and professional schools.
- Berry Scholars who complete the program requirements receive a diploma with Honors and Berry Scholars notations.
- Additional partial scholarships, over and above University academic scholarships, may be awarded to incoming Berry Scholars. To assure consideration for these scholarships, students should apply to the Berry Scholars Program no later than December 15.
- Students may take over 18 credits each semester with no additional tuition charge.
- Funds are provided to support Honors Thesis research and international study.
- Due to the small size and collaborative nature of the program, Berry Scholars often enjoy close personal friendships with other students in the program that may last well beyond their college years.
- Honors housing is available for upperclass students.
- The program sponsors a number of annual social events for Berry Scholars.
Eligibility for the Berry Scholars Program
Only incoming first-year students who are admitted to the University of Dayton and who meet the requirements of the University Honors Program are eligible to apply to the John W. Berry Sr. Scholars Program. The program selects a maximum of 30 entering students from applicants across all undergraduate divisions.
Application Procedure
There is no special Berry Scholars Program application form. Please complete the following steps to apply:
- Write a letter of application. Before composing the letter of application, applicants should review the guidelines.
- Prepare a résumé highlighting your academic, extracurricular, community and/or personal activities and achievements.
Mail to:
Dr. Patricia M. Hart, Director
Berry Scholars Program
University of Dayton
300 College Park
Dayton, OH 45469-0311 - Request one letter of recommendation that specifically addresses your qualifications for the John W. Berry Sr. Scholars Program. Students usually request letters of recommendation from a teacher, counselor or other school official, who should send the recommendation directly to the above address.
Selection Process
The admission process takes place in two stages. First, applications are reviewed and a select number of applicants are invited to campus to interview. Interviews usually take place beginning in late January, and are conducted with the director or associate director, as well as with other members of the faculty. Once students are interviewed, invitations are extended on a rolling basis for the maximum 30 places in the program. All applicants will be notified, and acceptances should be received in writing by March 15, unless the student requests an extension. The final deadline for acceptance is May 1.
Contact
If you are on the UD campus, stop by the University Honors and Berry Scholars Programs office in Alumni Hall, Room 125, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. You can also call ahead to schedule an informational meeting the day of your visit.
University Honors and John W. Berry Sr. Scholars Programs
Telephone: 937-229-4615
E-mail: jill.talley@notes.udayton.edu
