Honors Programs

Two Paths to Success

Enhance your college experience through richer, deeper learning.

As an Honors student at Rider, you’ll delve into issues, consider topics from different perspectives, think with independence and imagination, and form lasting bonds with your classmates.

Rider’s honors programs bring together intellectually curious students and accomplished faculty to look at teaching and learning in new ways. This approach encourages open dialogue and close interaction, challenging you to think differently and expand your point of view.

After receiving an invitation to the honors program, incoming students will be asked to formally accept their place in the program in order to be officially enrolled. The priority deadline to apply to Rider for Fall enrollment to be considered for Honors is January 15. 

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Honors Benefits

• Personal attention, with small classes of 15–18 students
• First choice at classes through priority registration privileges
• The option of living with your peers in Honors housing during your freshman year
• Invitations to special events, including:
  1. Panel discussions, concerts, plays, lectures and exhibits
  2. Field trips that will broaden your learning experience.
  3. Comprehensive advising and guidance from your faculty adviser and the Honors Program director
  4. Special recognition as an Honors Scholar at graduation

Why Honors at Rider?

Research Opportunities

Want to explore ideas and expand your knowledge through independent projects and research? You have the option of working side-by-side with faculty on challenging research, or developing your own research project or scholarly activity with faculty guidance.

Faculty Who Learn With You 

Honor students work closely with specially selected faculty members who consider it a privilege to teach — and learn — with you in the Honors program. 

You’ll study with some of our most distinguished faculty — including Fulbright Scholars, nationally recognized scientists, artists and authors, teaching award recipients, and business and community leaders.

Honors Eligibility Criteria

For students entering Rider as a freshman:

• Students who earn a 3.5 GPA or higher in high school AND who also score 1300 or higher on the SAT (with a score of at least 640 in Evidence-based Reading and Writing and a score of at least 620 in Math); or an ACT composite of 27 or better, are invited to join the Baccalaureate Honors Program as entering freshmen. High achieving test-optional students are automatically considered in addition based on their academic record. Completion of two honors writing courses, 5 upper-level seminars or honors experiences, and an honors capstone project is required for graduation with honors.
• Currently enrolled freshmen or sophomores may apply to the honors program if they achieve success in their freshmen writing class(es), earn a GPA of at least 3.3, and/ or are recommended by a faculty member. For these late-start students, completion of 5-6 courses in the honors program plus an honors capstone project is required for graduation with honors.

For students entering Rider as a transfer with 20 credits or less:

• Students who earn a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher and achieve a grade of B or higher in a college-level English/ writing class may be invited to join the Baccalaureate Honors program as transfer students. For these transfer students, completion of 6 courses in the honors program plus an honors capstone project is required for graduation with honors.

For students entering Rider as a transfer with more than 20 credits:

• Students who earn a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher and achieve a grade of B or higher in a college-level English/ writing class may be invited to join the Baccalaureate Honors program as transfer students. For these transfer students, completion of 5 courses in the honors program plus an honors capstone project is required for graduation with honors.

For more information: