Experiential Learning

EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING

The mission of the Saint Peter’s University Honors Program is to provide an environment of academic exploration and support for students who demonstrate high potential and commitment to the Magis – the Jesuit ideal of reaching for greater excellence in all one does – in their university studies. As part of this process, the Program incorporates experiential learning through collaborative and individual research, external internships, service-oriented courses, and local and global cultural engagement. 

Read on below for more information about experiential learning opportunities available to Honors students.

Work Study

For two decades, the Honors Program has proudly provided students the chance to work as paid research assistants to faculty members in various departments, programs, and centers throughout the University. Not only does this provide students with valuable experience to add to their resumes, it introduces them to research methods in their desired disciplines and opens doors to new academic pursuits in areas outside their majors. Our faculty members benefit immensely, too! In the past, students have aided faculty members with translation of research materials and personal interviews, manuscript preparation, article publication, digitization projects, and laboratory experiments. Students interested in applying for a research assistantship should fill out the application form. Faculty members interested in working with an Honors research assistant should submit a request. Assistantships extend for one semester and are granted based on available funding.

Research

In addition to working as research assistants, the Honors Program has limited funding available to students conducting their own academic research. Students seeking financial support to attend academic conferences or purchase materials necessary for their senior thesis research should contact the Honors Program for more information.

Faculty members may apply for funds to help them work with individual Honors students, enrich Honors course experiences, or develop new Honors courses. Faculty members interested in learning more about these opportunities should contact the Honors Program for more information.

Internships

Students from all majors are encouraged to take part in internships to gain greater knowledge, skills, and professional experience in their academic field. In order to obtain academic credit for internship and work experience, students must make arrangements through the Center for Career Engagement & Experiential Learning (CEEL) Internship & Cooperative Education Program. Credits earned through internship or cooperative experiences may be applied as Honors credit upon approval of the director.

The Frank J. Murphy, Jr. ’69 STEM Internship is offered exclusively to Honors students. The program seeks to propel Honors students majoring in STEM disciplines to prepare for compelling STEM careers through engagement in internships. The Fund provides stipends to selected students (known as a Murphy Fellow) to fund participation in external internship experiences in STEM disciplines (including but not limited to Biology/Health Careers, Chemistry, Physics, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Computer Science, Data Science, Cyber Security, Psychology, and Mathematics). Internships involve a minimum of 60 hours of external field work experience in either the summer or fall or spring semester. Internships count for 3 course credits and fulfill 1 required course (3 credits) within the Honors Program. Murphy Fellows will also receive a stipend of $2,500 to cover costs associated with the internship opportunity.

To be eligible for a Murphy Fellowship, an Honors student must be in good standing within the Honors Program at the time of application, must be a declared STEM major, and must have completed 60 credits upon starting the internship. Murphy Fellows are chosen by the Director of the Honors Program, in consultation with the Executive Director of the Institute for STEM Experiential Learning. Students interested in becoming Murphy Fellows and who meet the above mentioned criteria are encouraged to apply.

Established in 2020, the Frank J. Murphy, Jr. ’69 STEM Internship program is funded by the generous donation of Mrs. Alice Lehman in memory of her late husband, Saint Peter’s alumnus Frank J. Murphy, Jr. ’69.

Scholarships

In 2019, the Honors Program established the Study Abroad Scholarship through the support of alumna Carol Potyrala Bastek, Ph.D., Class of 1970. The Honors Program Study Abroad Scholarship offers financial aid to take part in global learning experiences. Maximum award amounts are $1000 for a single course or $2000 for a semester or full year abroad. Students interested in taking part in study abroad opportunities are encouraged to apply.

The Honors Program Study Abroad Scholarship is open to Honors students who are in good standing within the program and are currently enrolled full-time. Recipients are chosen by the Honors Program director, in conversation with the academic dean and provost, and take into account applicants’ current merit-based scholarships and need-based financial aid. Applications from students who have never traveled abroad are particularly welcome. 

For more information about the Honors Program Study Abroad Scholarship, contact the Honors Program director.

Check out some of the awesome opportunities our students have had studying abroad: