Mercyhurst University

About the program

The Mercyhurst College Honors Program (MCHP) offers excellent students an enriched intellectual experience both in and out of the classroom.  The program confers the prestige of graduating with Mercyhurst Honors on those who satisfy the requirements for this designation.  MCHP students are expected to be intellectual and creative resources for the wider college and regional communities using their talents and skills to bring classmates and neighbors into the cultural community where they thrive. 

The MCHP director invites qualified high school seniors to participate in the Honors Preparation Year (HPY).  Selection of students for the MCHP occurs in the spring of the HPY.  Students already studying at the college are encouraged to apply for admission to the program and students transferring from other institutions are also welcome to discuss participation with the director.

Benefits

The MCHP offers the Mercyhurst honors student several attractive features.  They include:

Smaller classes.  Classes are limited to 18 students and average 16 students. 

A large and interesting selection of courses.  Each year the MCHP offers 12 to 15 courses from core requirement courses to specialty courses arranged in response to honors student and faculty scholarly interests. 

A superb faculty.  At Mercyhurst College we take great pride in our excellent teaching faculty.  From among these outstanding teachers the Honors Faculty are selected each year. 

A community of scholars.  Because honors students spend so much time together in MCHP classes, at special events and in honors housing, a sense of belonging to an intellectual community is soon cultivated. 

Graduation distinction.  MCHP courses are clearly marked on all honors students' transcripts.  The transcripts and diplomas of MCHP students who graduate with honors are specially marked or sealed, and they wear distinguishing white sashes in our commencement ceremony. 

Extracurricular life.  Honors students enjoy a wide variety of opportunities to participate in and create book and film discussions, debates, panel discussions, trips, lectures, conferences, social events and more.