The Academic Center for Excellence

The Academic Center for Excellence (ACE) is dedicated to helping all Bryant University students achieve academic success. The goal at ACE is to help students become self-reliant, independent, confident learners so that they may successfully meet the demands of their chosen academic curricula. This is achieved through our internationally accredited peer tutoring program and study-skills instruction by our professional staff. Group sessions are encouraged as a mode of instruction. Professional staff members, peer tutors, and faculty work together to foster a supportive learning environment.

Students with learning disabilities can process academic accommodation requests in the Academic Center for Excellence. To receive academic accommodations, students must submit documentation that describes the nature of the learning disability to the learning specialist at ACE. Diagnostic testing that identifies the existence of the learning disability must have been completed within the past three years. The learning specialist recommends academic accommodations; however, it is incumbent upon the student to schedule an appointment with the learning specialist at the beginning of each new semester to arrange for service. Students with learning disabilities should contact the learning specialist at (401) 232-6746.

Academic Services for Student-Athletes:

ACE, in partnership with the Department of Athletics provides tailored assistance for the unique needs of student-athletes. Students in our Division I athletics programs have challenging schedules and often need additional help finding a balance between the demands of athletics and academics. ACE provides these students support with general study skills, time management and overall organization. Quiet study time is provided in ACE's comfortable lounge areas and study rooms.

Academic Services for International Students and English Language Learners:

The Academic Center for Excellence and the Writing Center offer specialized services for international students and English language learners to help them increase their academic confidence and improve their performance as Bryant students, preparing them for the global job market.

The Writing Center

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Bryant University offers an academic internship program that combines significant work experience with academic study through internships and practica. An academic internship is an elective course (391) that is offered in each concentration and minor area of study and can be done during the fall, spring and summer semesters. Three credits are granted for this experience.  A practica is an elective for seniors (BUS491). Eligible seniors may earn six to nine credits while working for an organization full time during a semester.

To be eligible, students:

• Must have attained junior or senior status;
• Must be in good academic standing, which requires a minimum GPA of 2.0 in all established GPAs including cumulative, major/concentration, and minor grade point averages. Finance and International Business majors must have an overall GPA of 2.5;
• Must have established a major/concentration GPA to apply for internship in a major/concentration area of study;
• Must have established a minor GPA to apply for an internship in a minor area of study;
• Must meet all other prerequisites for the internship as determined by the specific academic department and stated in the course description;
• Transfer students must complete one full semester of study at Bryant University prior to applying for an internship or practicum opportunity.   

Students interested in pursuing an academic internship must attend one Orientation Session for Academic Internship conducted several times during the fall and spring semesters.

A maximum of 9 credit hours of any combination of internships and practica may be applied to fulfill degree requirements; a maximum of 3 credit hours may be applied to fulfill requirements in a concentration. Each intern works with a faculty supervisor and receives a grade based on learning objectives and work performance. The internship site provides training and supervision during the course of the academic internship and provides performance evaluations to the faculty supervisor.

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1. A directed study course is an independent, in-depth study or research project pursued by a student. It involves working individually under the direction of the supervising faculty member with the approval of the appropriate department chair.
2. The topic to be studied must be submitted by the student to the supervising faculty member for approval prior to or at the start of the semester.
3. The topic to be studied should explore a subject beyond its treatment in an advanced-level course in the University curriculum.
4. The student’s ability to define a problem and investigate it thoroughly (through intensive study that leads to the preparation of a well-researched paper) will be central to his/her success in any directed study course.
5. Students are limited to one directed study per semester and a maximum of two directed studies during their Bryant career.
6. Directed studies cannot be used as substitutes for Bryant courses in the catalog.

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The Bryant University Honors Program offers its members a personalized, distinctive experience that enriches their academic, social, cultural and professional talents in a mentor-oriented environment.

Academically-talented students with a proven record of achievement are invited to join the Bryant University Honors Program. These exceptional students along with dedicated faculty comprise a community of scholars who are committed to pursuing an enriched educational experience. Successful completion of the program results in the student being recognized as an Honors Program graduate, a distinction that is noted on his or her Bryant University diploma and official academic transcript.

More than twenty courses have been designed specifically for The Honors Program. While some of the Honors courses are adapted from standard courses and others are developed around unique topics, all are enhanced by additional course material, group projects, stimulating discussions and/or special assignments. These honors-designated courses are intentionally scheduled with smaller class sizes to afford students opportunities to interact with peers and professors.

Invitation Eligibility

First-year students qualify for an invitation to the Honors Program with a minimum SAT score of 1200 (math and verbal)/ACT 27 and one of the following: a class rank in the top 20 percent of their high school class or, a grade point average of at least 3.60. Students transferring from another institution with a grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 or better from college-level courses may also be invited to participate in The Honors Program. Current Bryant students interested in applying to The Honors Program must have earned a minimum GPA of 3.4 after the completion of 30 hours of credit along with letters of recommendation.

Graduation Criteria

To be an Honors Program graduate from Bryant University, students must successfully complete a minimum of 24 credits (eight courses) of honors course work. The credits are to be distributed as:

• Students in the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree program (B.S.B.A.) and the Bachelor of Science in International Business (B.S.I.B.) are required to take at least three honors business courses and at least two honors liberal arts courses.
• Students in the Bachelor of Science in Information Technology degree program (B.Sc.I.T.) are required to take at least two honors business courses and at least two honors liberal arts courses.
• Students in the Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts degree program (B.A.L.A.) and the Bachelor of Arts degree programs in Applied Economics, Applied Psychology, Communication, Global Studies, History, Literary and Cultural Studies, Politics and Law, Sociology, and BS in Environmental Science, Actuarial Mathematics, Applied Mathematics and Statistics are required to take at least three honors liberal arts courses and at least two honors business courses.
• The remaining credits for all degree programs, including the senior honors project, may be taken from either liberal arts or business courses in any combination.

As part of the requirements outlined above, each student must successfully complete the course HON490: Honors Senior Capstone Project. This capstone course requires the submission and approval of a formal proposal. Along with a faculty advisor, the student will complete a research-based project during his or her senior year. The subject matter and topic can be selected by the student with the approval of a faculty advisor in a designated academic department.

HON490 Honors Senior Capstone Project

Honors Program seniors, under the guidance of a faculty committee (as specified in program guidelines), will develop a thesis or project to serve as a capstone for their Honors Program courses. The proposal will be presented to the Honors Program Coordinator in the student’s junior year. It will include specification of the department to which credit will apply in the student’s academic program, and signed approval from the Department Chair is required. The complete proposal will be reviewed by the Honors Council and approved by them after any suggested revisions have been made.

The student will work on the project during his or her senior year and will submit a progress report to the Honors Council at the end of the each semester. When the project is completed, it will be submitted for approval to the Honors Council and presented formally in a public forum. The capstone course will be reviewed, evaluated, and graded by the faculty committee.

Beta Gamma Sigma
Membership in Beta Gamma Sigma is the highest national recognition a student can receive in an undergraduate or master’s program in business or management accredited by AACSB International – The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. To be eligible for membership, a student must have earned a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.5 (cumulative GPA of 3.75 for graduate students), rank in the upper seven percent of the junior class, upper 10 percent of the senior class, or upper 20 percent of the graduating master’s class. Members are elected to membership and publicly recognized during the spring term.

Chi Alpha Sigma
Bryant is one of only 60 institutions nationally to be recognized with a Chi Alpha Sigma chapter. Chi Alpha Sigma is the nation’s only student-athlete honor society. To be selected for induction, student-athletes must be juniors or seniors, hold at least a 3.4 overall GPA, earn a letter in their sports, and clearly exhibit strong personal character through a commitment to community service.

Omicron Delta Epsilon
Election to the Gamma Chapter of Omicron Delta Epsilon, the National Economics Honor Society, recognizes seniors who have chosen economics for their major field of concentration, have attained a cumulative average of 3.0 or higher in a minimum of four economics courses, and have received the recommendation of the economics department.

Lambda Pi Eta
Lambda Pi Eta is an accredited member of the Association of College Honor Societies. It is the official communication studies honor society of the National Communication Association. To be eligible for membership, students must have completed at least 12 hours of communication courses, have a GPA of at least 3.25, and be in the upper 35 percent of the graduating class.

Dean’s List
Full-time students who have a GPA of 3.2 or better for at least 12 semester hours of work will be named to the Dean’s List.

Graduation Honors (ALSO  - under Awarding of degrees- Commencement Awards) Special recognition is accorded those who show distinction in academic achievement. Honors may be awarded on the basis of cumulative averages, as follows: Cum Laude (3.30), Magna Cum Laude (3.55), and Summa Cum Laude (3.80). Students must have completed 60 semester hours of work at Bryant University to be eligible for honors.

Commencement Ceremony – Awarding of Degrees
Commencement ceremonies honor certified graduates and candidates for degrees who have been scheduled to complete course work by the end of the academic year (July 31). Diplomas are issued after grade reports are completed and candidates are fully certified. Graduation honors noted on the Commencement program are based on cumulative records as of the end of the fall semester; honors recorded on the diploma are based on finalized cumulative averages.

Bryant Symbols

The Harriet C. Jacobs Memorial Mace
Carried at Commencement and other University convocations, the mace is crowned in gold and bears the two dominant symbols of the institution: the seal of the State of Rhode Island and the seal of Bryant University. The mace was donated by E. Gardner Jacobs and his sister, Mrs. Dorothy J. Lederer, in memory of their mother, Harriet C. Jacobs.

The Bryant Seal
The Bryant seal represents the educational mission of the University and its worldwide implications. The central symbol is an ellipsoid globe with quills on each side to signify the traditional emblem of communication in business. In the center, behind the globe, is a torch that reflects liberty, the spirit of free inquiry, academic freedom, and learning. The Archway, forming the background for the globe, torch, and quills, is a University landmark affectionately remembered by thousands of alumni. The Latin motto expresses the purpose of the University: Cognitio - Virtus - Successus – “Knowledge - Character - Success.” The seal recognizes the achievements of the faculty in their pursuit of educational excellence.

Commencement Awards
The Alumni Association Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award is presented respectively to the graduating senior male and female athletes with the highest grade point averages.

The Anna M. & Jere St. Angelo ’61 Accounting Awards are presented to graduating seniors in accounting who are in the top 10 percent of their class, are residents of an urban area, and have proven need.

The Applied Psychology Department Award is presented annually to a graduating senior for outstanding achievement in the study of Applied Psychology.

The Bryant University Good Citizenship Award is presented to a graduate who has demonstrated the qualities of sincerity and vigorous industry in the interest of good citizenship and who has, by example, furthered better government both on and off the campus.

The C.I.S. Award is presented annually to a graduate with a concentration in computer information systems who has excelled academically, has enriched his/her C.I.S. education through meaningful work experience, and has demonstrated an unselfish attitude toward others through his/her active involvement in organizations, clubs, or events.

The Communication Award is presented to a graduate with a record of high achievement and exceptional competency in all of the contemporary communication arts.

The Delta Sigma Pi Scholarship Key Award is presented to the graduating student with the highest cumulative academic average for all course work toward a degree in a business administration or economics concentration.

The English and Cultural Studies Department Awards are presented to a graduate with a record of high achievement and a strong commitment to literary and cultural studies.

The George J. Kelley Award is presented to a graduating senior scheduled to complete all degree requirements in May, who, at the end of the fall semester, has completed at least 102 credits at Bryant University and is recognized and honored for having the highest cumulative grade point average as of the end of the fall semester.

The George M. Parks Award is presented to the bachelor’s degree candidate who has done the most to enhance the reputation of the University through recognized leadership qualities.

The History/Social Science Department Awards are presented annually to graduates for outstanding achievement in the study of Legal Studies, Political Science, and Sociology.

The International Studies Award is presented annually to a graduating senior for outstanding achievement in International Studies.

The Jack H. Rubens Leadership in Finance Services Award is presented to a graduating senior who has demonstrated outstanding performance in academics, service to the finance department, and enthusiasm and leadership in extracurricular activities related to finance.

The Jeremiah Clark Barber Award is presented to the bachelor’s degree candidate who has shown the most consistent record of improvement in mastering the subject of a specific academic program.

The John Hancock Insurance Company Award is presented to the two bachelor’s degree students who have demonstrated superior achievement in the study of Applied Actuarial Mathematics.

The Kappa Tau Brotherhood Award is presented to the graduate who has exhibited outstanding brotherhood and leadership in promoting policies beneficial to Bryant University and the entire student body. This award is given by Kappa Tau Fraternity.

The Leander Francis Emin Endowed Homestead Award is presented to a graduate who has achieved scholastic excellence in accounting. This award was inaugurated by the family of Leander Francis Emin, Bryant alumnus of the class of 1907, to honor his memory and his birthplace and home – the 1708 house and the entire Emin homestead farm and airport – which has now become the campus of his alma mater.

The Male and Female Athlete Scholarship Awards are presented to the senior male and female athlete with the highest grade point average.

The Modern Languages Department Award is presented to a graduate with exceptional competency in the study of a language other than English.

The Pell Medal for United States History is presented to a graduate who has displayed excellence in the study of United States history. Rhode Island’s senator, the Honorable Claiborne de Borda Pell, established this medal to honor the memory of his father, the late Herbert C. Pell, statesman and diplomat, who served the United States as Ambassador to Hungary and Minister to Portugal.

The Reserve Officer Training Corps Achievement Award is presented to a bachelor’s degree candidate who has excelled in his or her military science studies and other courses and who has shown superior leadership potential in the military science program and in extracurricular activities.

The Rhode Island Society of Certified Public Accountants Award is presented to a graduate who, in the opinion of the faculty of the department of accounting, has demonstrated excellence in accounting studies and intends to pursue a career in public accounting.

The Roger W. Babson Award is presented to the bachelor’s degree candidate who has become distinguished within the University community because of character, sound judgment, and systematic business habits.

The Senior Service Award is presented to six deserving students of the graduating class to recognize their outstanding service to the student body of Bryant University.

The Target Corporation – Bryant SHRM Management Department Award recognizes two outstanding graduating seniors who are also members of Bryant SHRM. The award is presented to individuals who have demonstrated academic excellence, a passion for the field of Human Resources Management (HRM) as a future career and shown an appreciation of the importance of the HRM function in domestic and global corporations.

The Wall Street Journal Award is presented to a graduate who has shown distinction in the fields of economics, finance, and investments.

The ROTC Program is designed to train and qualify men and women for commissions as second lieutenants in the U.S. Army while they pursue an academic program of their choice. Bryant is one of more than 300 colleges throughout the U.S. dedicated to providing qualified military leaders for the United States Army. Courses in military science are part of the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) Program, which is offered as part of the curriculum at Bryant University on a voluntary basis.