Honors College

Honors College

We are a close-knit community of students from virtually every major whose love of learning is matched by a passion for sharing ideas. We’re a community guided by faculty members and alumni mentors who are dedicated to our success in school and in our careers.

As a member of our community, you’ll embark on a college journey filled with challenging academics, high-level research opportunities and exciting cultural activities from one of the top honors programs in New York. In small, interdisciplinary seminars,you’ll explore topics that have fascinated thinkers for centuries. You’ll experience the best New York City has to offer in group excursions to museums and theaters. And you’ll complete your Honors College journey working with a faculty adviser on a senior thesis that expresses your intellectual interests.

A Tight Community

Learning from Experience

Alumnus Peter Vellis ’96, DDS, an oral surgeon and U.S. Navy veteran, returned to Adelphi University to mentor aspiring dentists. Sharing his journey, Dr. Vellis highlighted nontraditional paths and the importance of perseverance—fostering connections and inspiring future dental leaders. Meet Dr. Vellis

An Alumni Mentor

When Danelya Zholdasbekova ’23 interned at a financial management company as a senior, she found a mentor in Honors College alumnus Michael Khayan ’15. The experience showed her how important Honors College connections are—and reminded Khayan how well prepared Honors College students are. Meet Them

A Creative Dialogue

When computer science major Kaitlyn Brooks ’22 began planning her Honors thesis on digital art technology, she chose an art professor, Hannah S. Allen, as her adviser. Their dialogue between tech and art mirrored the interdisciplinary approach taken in all Honors College courses and was an eye-opening experience for student and teacher. Meet Them

Lifelong Connections

After graduating from Harvard Law School, John Miller ’12, JD, organized a group of fellow Honors College grads who attended prestigious law schools to serve as mentors for Honors undergraduates. Rachel Vacca ’19, JD, was just one of the students who achieved her dream with support from this network of helpful alumni. Meet Them
Adelphi University honors students in Time Square in NYC.

A World of Cultural Experiences

Cultural events are central to Adelphi’s Honors College experience and are part of your exploration of the world of ideas and creative expression. Each semester, you’ll go with fellow students to New York City’s world-famous museums and theaters for cultural experiences you’ll never forget—often taking advantage of $10 tickets to major Broadway shows, operas, concerts, plays and dance performances.

Honors College Annual Report Cover: 2024

A Quest for Excellence

Read the 2024 Honors College Annual Report to stay up-to-date on what makes us one of the top ranked honors colleges in New York and specifically what our outstanding students and world-class faculty have been up to—both in the classroom and beyond.

A Passion for Research

Sarah Joy Gallardo ’24, a neuroscience major and Honors College student, took advantage of applied science research opportunities at Adelphi. Sarah is featured in the Spring 2022 episode of The College Tour on Amazon Prime.

Honors Experience

Admissions

Am I eligible? How can I apply? Will it be affordable? Find out more about admission to the Honors College. We look forward to helping you take the next step.

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Academics

Learn about our Honors College degree curriculum, our seminar-style learning and the senior thesis that brings it all together—along with exceptional opportunities for pre-professional programs.

Learn More

Research

See why research is a top priority in our College—whether you conduct research here or during your study abroad—and discover our Scholarship and Creative Works Conference.

Discover

Diversity

The Honors College is deeply committed to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, and our student body, extracurricular offerings and curriculum reflect a diverse range of identities, histories and experiences.

Our Community

Life and Events in Honors

Be part of a close-knit community where you and your Honors College classmates have your own classrooms, lounge and library. Share classes, common space and cultural events as a family of learners.

Make Plans

Leadership

Meet your dean, your professors and the Honors College administrators who will guide your college journey, support you in your studies and help you achieve your own individual goals.

Get acquainted

Adelphi University: Extraordinary Opportunities: Adam Ayroso ’24

Adam Ayroso ’24 combined his premed studies with cultural trips to nearby New York City. An Honors College biology major in our BS/MD Joint Degree Program, Ayroso  graduated and went on to enroll in medical school.

Join Us on Instagram

Keep up with our crowd—the things we’re up to, the places we’re going, the experiences we’re having and the thoughts that are on our mind.

Frequently Asked Questions About Adelphi’s Honors College

An honors college is an institution within a university dedicated to enhancing the learning experience of curious and high-achieving students by providing a range of high-impact academic experiences, including specialized discussion-based classes, meaningful research opportunities, and leadership and cultural experiences. Adelphi’s Honors College invites students from all disciplines across campus to learn and grow together under the direction of dedicated faculty mentors. Our community is close-knit and provides many opportunities to forge academic and social connections on campus and at cultural events in New York City.

Typically, honors colleges are better supported and offer more opportunities than honors programs, but each college or program is unique.  At Adelphi, our honors college engages students in rigorous and exciting courses, supports myriad research experiences culminating in impressive theses, encourages participation in programs and events off campus, and provides a supportive community of students, faculty and staff.

Absolutely! Students benefit from enriched curricular and extracurricular experiences when they are part of honors communities. Honors courses teach oral and written communication skills, and graduates are able to think on their feet. Undertaking a thesis is often a graduate-level pursuit, and having done this work as an undergraduate is impressive. 

There is not a minimum required GPA, but most students have a 4.0 or above on a 4.3 scale and we also consider the rigor of the coursework. Standardized tests are not required.

Most Honors College students earn the University’s Presidential Scholarship, and a number of other scholarships, grants and awards are offered. More information about those can be found on the Honors College Ways to Save page.

No, our review process is holistic and we are interested in curious students who take challenging courses and academic risks more than students who earn straight A’s in less rigorous classes.

Yes, it is.

Yes, Honors College courses tend to go into more depth, so there is not necessarily more work, but the work is more intense. Honors courses are also discussion-based and students need to be engaged learners.

Yes, all Honors College students undertake a thesis project, and these are different for different students. In the past students have written operas, novellas or poetry collections as creative thesis projects, while others have designed apps. Some have engaged in laboratory research, and others have done work in historical archives and written articles. There are many ways to complete a creative thesis project.

Yes, it’s even encouraged. Honors College advisers work in collaboration with students, major advisers, and the director of the Center for International Education to helps students plan for study abroad programs.

Start Your Journey at the Honors College

Awards & Recognition

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Earle Hall, 100
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