John H. Martinson Honors Program
The Georgia Tech John H. Martinson Honors Program (JMHP) seeks to foster curiosity, creativity, and connection—to the JMHP, Georgia Tech, Atlanta, and communities beyond. In advancing its mission, the JMHP enhances the capacity of our highly motivated students and future alumni to advance the Georgia Tech mission of “Progress and Service.”
All admitted first-year and transfer students are invited to apply to the JMHP. The holistic application considers responses to essay prompts and information gathered from the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Students are selected based on their fit with the JMHP mission of interdisciplinary learning and commitment to contributing to the JMHP community. Students from all majors are welcome and the JMHP strives to build a community that represents the perspectives and interests found on campus.
Those who are selected to participate live in the JMHP residence halls in Eighth Street Apartments their first year and—if selected in the housing lottery—have varying options to continue living in JMHP residence halls in subsequent years. Details about housing are available on the website.
Led by the students in the Honors Leadership Council, the JMHP offers a variety of social, volunteer, academic, and professional development events through the Jacket Journey student engagement program throughout the year. Students are welcomed to the JMHP during the annual Honors Program Retreat in August, have the option to attend near-weekly events throughout the fall and spring semester, and then culminate the year with celebrations like HProm and the Graduation Brunch. During the first year only, the JMHP charges a program fee of $400 per semester (first-year students) or $250 per semester (transfer students) to offset the costs of programming. The program fee is assessed only in the first year, but membership in the JMHP and access to programming, events, and classes continues throughout the student’s time in the program.
The JMHP offers a robust curriculum of 30 – 40 classes each fall and spring semester. Requirements vary depending on when the student was admitted to the program.
JMHP students admitted prior to fall 2026 can achieve the designation of “Completion of the John H. Martinson Honors Program” at graduation by completing 15 or more credit hours of JMHP coursework, which can also include select undergraduate research, music ensemble, graduate-level, and/or study-abroad classes. Students who complete the program will receive notation on their Georgia Tech transcript, a medal to be worn at graduation, a graduation regalia stole, a JMHP lapel pin, and a framed certificate of completion. Additional recognition for specialization in a pathway (Global Engagement, Research, or Service) is also available for interested students who complete the 15+ hour requirement.
Students who do not achieve the status of "Completion of the John H. Martinson Honors Program" but, instead, complete 9 to 14 credits of JMHP coursework will achieve the designation of “Participation in the John H. Martinson Honors Program.” These students receive a framed certificate of participation, medal to be worn at graduation, and a JMHP lapel pin. Specialized Pathways are not available to those who earn fewer than 15 credit hours.
JMHP students admitted in fall 2026 or after have a curriculum that is blended with the Leaders in Progress and Service (LPS) Quality Enhancement Plan, with the addition of at least six (6) credits of JMHP classes. Students who complete all JMHP requirements at the time of graduation will receive both Institutional recognition of LPS, which is a graduation distinction as a Leader in Progress and Service, as well as recognition of completion of the JMHP with transcript notation and graduation items.
Completion of the JMHP for those admitted in fall 2026 or after requires four (4) parts:
- taking a foundational course,
- completing three semesters of experiential/immersive learning,
- participating in a Progress and Service Summit, and
- six (6) credits of JMHP coursework.
Students who join the JMHP in fall 2026 or thereafter are also bound by the acceptance agreement and retention policy applicable for their cohort (first year or transfer). Students must complete the foundational course and first immersive learning experience by certain time points or be removed from the JMHP.
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