Curriculum and Requirements | John H. Martinson Honors Program

JMHP Requirements

John H. Martinson Honors Program students admitted before fall 2026 must complete a minimum of 15 credits of JMHP coursework during their undergraduate studies at Georgia Tech to achieve the distinction of "Completion of the John H. Martinson Honors Program" or 9 - 14 hour to achieve the distinction of "Participation in the John H. Martinson Honors Program." A new curriculum is being unveiled for students admitted in the fall 2026 cohort and beyond.

Typically, first-year students enroll in two or more JMHP classes, and upper-level students enroll in one or more classes (or VIP or PURA research courses, JMHP-authorized research or study abroad courses, or graduate courses) per year.

Below is information on the types of classes that you can apply to the JMHP curriculum requirement and details about how JMHP credit fits with degree requirements.

Information on JMHP Coursework

CATEGORIES OF JMHP COURSEWORK

JMHP Classes (courses with “HP” following the course numbers--the list for the current semester is available online).
Music Ensemble Classes: MUSI 3018, 3019, 3121, 3131, 3231, 3241, 3251, 3261, 3311, 3321, 3411, 3511, 3531, 3541, 3551, or 3611 (up to a combined total of three credits).
Research Classes: VIP, PURA, and HP-Authorized Independent Research Courses (up to a combined total of six credits, which may include up to three HP-Authorized Independent Research Course credits).
JMHP-Authorized Study Abroad Classes (up to three credits).
Graduate Classes at the 6000 level or above (excluding master's thesis 7000, up to three credits).
Transfer Credit (for incoming transfer students only), up to six (6) credits TOTAL, including up to six hours of previous honors program or honors college classes, up to three (3) credits of independent undergraduate research, or up to three (3) credits of study abroad coursework. For more information, visit the transfer admissions webpage.

DETAILS & REQUIREMENTS FOR JMHP COURSEWORK

All JMHP coursework must be completed on a letter-grade basis, with one exception: PURA course audit credits may be counted toward the HP curricular requirement or the additional award of “JMHP Distinction in a Pathway.”
Classes can only be applied to Distinction in a Pathway if the grade received is a B or above (except for PURA, as noted above).
Students may count up to three credits for JMHP-Authorized Study Abroad Courses only if they follow this information to have the courses evaluated and the courses are approved.

Visit the Classes and Registration section of the website for a full list of the courses available in the current semester.

Classes taken for the JMHP can count anywhere in your degree requirements, including for a major, minor, certificate, free electives, or core general education requirements.

Some JMHP coursework may satisfy Georgia Tech core curriculum requirements. Other JMHP coursework may satisfy elective requirements for a Georgia Tech major. Please be sure to consult with your major advisor about using your HP coursework to satisfy your core curriculum requirements and other elective requirements.

Types of Recognition

COMPLETION OF THE JOHN H. MARTINSON HONORS PROGRAM

Georgia Tech includes recognition for “Completion of the John H. Martinson Honors Program” on the Georgia Tech final transcript for those students who complete 15 or more JMHP credits by graduation. In addition, those who complete 15 or more JMHP credits receive a medal of participation (worn at graduation), JMHP pin, and graduation stole with the official John H. Martinson Honors Program insignia on the left-hand side, to be worn at graduation. Students who receive Distinction in a Pathway will receive a special stole that reflects this additional honor.

PARTICIPATION IN THE JOHN H. MARTINSON HONORS PROGRAM

Students who do not complete the John H. Martinson Honors Program but, instead, complete 9 to 14 credits of JMHP coursework over the course of their matriculation at Georgia Tech will earn the distinction of "Participation in the John H. Martinson Honors Program." These students will receive a JMHP “Certificate of Participation,” medal of participation (worn at graduation), and a JMHP pin.

Note that completion of the John H. Martinson Honors Program is NOT a degree requirement. Failure to complete the JMHP does not delay graduation and is not indicated on your final Georgia Tech transcript. Only successful completion is noted on the transcript.

JMHP Pathways

Students have the option of earning distinction in on or more curriculum pathways, including Global Engagement, Research, and Service. Read more about the JMHP Pathways.

These three Pathways transcend traditional disciplinary boundaries; cannot be pursued in an existing major, minor, or certificate program; capture fields of passionate interest by many JMHP students; and advance the Georgia Tech motto, “Progress and Service,” and the goals and objectives of Georgia Tech’s Strategic Plan.