Unique Programs

Rice undergraduates have the opportunity to pursue a number of unique academic programs during their course of study. A few are highlighted below:

Century Scholars Program

The University's goals of attracting superior undergraduates, fostering collaboration between students and professors, and sustaining a commitment to undergraduate education have culminated in a groundbreaking scholarship and mentoring program. The Rice University Century Scholars program matches select incoming freshmen with faculty mentors for a two-year period. During that time the student and mentor collaborate on one of the mentor's research projects. In addition to the research opportunity, select students receive a two-year merit scholarship and a research stipend.

For more information regarding the Century Scholars Program, please see the Century Scholars tab on the Office of Undergraduate Research and Inquiry program's website.

Rice Undergraduate Scholars Program (RUSP)

The Rice Undergraduate Scholars Program (RUSP) is a two-semester, 1-credit undergraduate research program aimed at students interested in careers in academia and research. Junior and senior Rice students engage in a year-long research project and attend weekly seminars on topics of research and the academic life. The program is focused on developing research and presentation skills, an understanding of an academic career, and how to apply to post-undergraduate education (graduate, medical, and law) and nationally competitive fellowships. In addition to this, all students in the program will have access to funding that may be used for research materials or conference attendance.

For more information regarding the RUSP program, please see the Rice Undergraduate Scholars Program (RUSP) tab on the Office of Undergraduate Research and Inquiry program's website.

Rice-UTSPH Public Health Scholars Program

Beginning in Fall 2015, a collaborative program agreement became effective between Rice University (Rice) and the University of Texas School of Public Health (UTSPH). The program is designed to allow select Rice undergraduate students interested in pursuing a graduate program in public health to obtain dual undergraduate and graduate credit by enrolling in up to 5 graduate courses (16 credit hours) at UTSPH during their senior year. This unique Rice-UTSPH Program enables accepted Rice students to earn credit towards their Rice undergraduate degree (BA or BS with any major), and to accelerate the completion of their UTSPH Master of Public Health degree (MPH) to within one year after completing their Rice undergraduate degree.