Policies
The Dean’s Scholar Program exists to serve the needs of these extraordinary students by allowing them to design, in consultation with faculty advisors, imaginative and rigorous individual plans of study to meet the total credit hours required for graduation. It is expected that the course of study outlined by the Dean’s Scholar candidate will represent a program that cannot be effectively achieved using other options already available within the University.
The Dean’s Scholar Program is available in the Colleges of Agriculture and Natural Resources; Arts and Sciences; Business and Economics; Engineering; Health Sciences; Human Services, Education and Human Development; and Earth, Ocean and Environment. Ordinarily, it is difficult, however, for students who are seeking professional certification in fields such as accounting, education, engineering or nursing, among others, to become Dean’s Scholars if they intend to graduate within four years.
Given the high degree of independent study that will normally accompany a Dean’s Scholar program, candidates for this program must present clear evidence before appointment of their ability to pursue such a program successfully. This evidence may include, but is not limited to, excellent grades at the University of Delaware, as well as information from instructors and advisors that indicates extraordinary motivation, insight, and ability. As a result, students will generally be selected as Dean’s Scholars during their third or fourth semester at the University (ideally, in time to develop their second semester sophomore schedule).
What Colleges offer the Dean's Scholar Program?
The Dean’s Scholar Program is available in all colleges.
What evidence is needed to begin such a program?
This evidence may include, but is not limited to, excellent grades at the University of Delaware, as well as information from instructors and advisors that indicates extraordinary motivation, insight, and ability.