BSN Honors

Take on this high-achieving pathway for future nurse leaders

While the traditional BSN program provides a rigorous didactic and clinical curriculum to help students meet the essential BSN competencies, the Nursing Honors program is designed to enrich this experience and provide more applied training and immersive experiential learning in translating evidence into nursing practice.

This program introduces students to competencies beyond the BSN level—opening doors for additional career opportunities beyond direct clinical care (e.g., graduate school, leadership roles, etc.) By completing the Honors Program, students earn a dual degree from the School of Nursing and the David C. Frederick Honors College, designated as a BSN-H degree.

Currently, we have two levels of engagement through which students can earn the jointly conferred BSN-H degree. You can either complete an enriched Honors Curriculum option, or you can complete an Honors Thesis option (referred to as a Bachelor of Philosophy in schools/department outside the School of Nursing). Alternatively, students can earn an Honors Distinction, not degree, which offers a lighter credit load than the Honors Curriculum option.

The curriculum option is designed for students interested in translating existing evidence into practice to drive change at the bedside. The thesis option is designed for students interested in scientific discoveries and in generating new knowledge to address unmet clinical needs at the bedside.

Each option requires a separate application to the David C. Frederick Honors College. The Honor Curriculum option is mapped across the 4-year BSN curriculum. Prospective first-year and transfer students apply as part of the regular application to the University of Pittsburgh. Upper-division students with a minimum 3.500 GPA can apply after completing at least two semesters (24 credits). Applications for upper-division students open in the spring for the following academic year. In contrast, the Honors Thesis option is self-paced with students applying for admission to Honors Thesis (BPhil) degree candidacy on a rolling basis after completing at least two semesters of coursework, but no later than beginning their last semester at Pitt, with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.500. You can start in one option and switch to the other, but this will require a new application to the Frederick Honors College.

Alternatively, students may consider earning an Honors Distinction rather than a BSN-H degree. The Honors Distinction offers a lighter credit load than the Honors Curriculum option. Students can declare their intention to pursue an Honors Distinction after completing at least one semester, but no later than beginning their last semester, at Pitt with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.000.

Why enroll in the Nursing Honors program?

As a nursing honors student, you will learn how to become a lifelong learner and detective, possessing a toolkit necessary to advance the nursing discipline and impact patient outcomes through the creation and application of scientific knowledge and evidence-based practice. You will also develop a competitive career portfolio for employers and for admission to top-tier graduate schools.

Benefits of participating in the Nursing Honors program include: (1) a special Honors degree jointly awarded by the School of Nursing and the David C. Frederick Honors College upon graduation, (2) priority course registration to help you complete the curriculum requirements, (3) priority access to Honors housing communities and activities, and (4) access to academic advisors and scholar mentors to support your academic experience.

Is the Nursing Honors Program right for me?

Completing the Nursing Honors Program can be a very rewarding and beneficial experience. The Nursing Honors program is designed to equip students with essential skills that will help them become future leaders who will foster impactful change in nursing discipline.

Contact

If you have questions or would like more information, reach out to:

Theresa Koleck, PhD, RN
Director of the Nursing Honors Program
SONHonors@pitt.edu

BSN Honors

The Honors Curriculum Pathway

This pathway option to a BSN Honors degree follows an enriched track of Frederick Honors College courses.

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BSN Honors

The Honors Thesis Pathway

For this pathway to BSN Honors, you can complete an Honors Thesis option referred to as a Bachelor of Philosophy.

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BSN Honors

Honors Distinction

The Honors distinction offers a lighter credit load than the Honors degree program, so you can earn the distinction as a transfer students or if you major has strict requirements.

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