FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Below are some responses to frequently asked questions about the Leeward CC Honors Program.


Can I graduate with honors without applying to the Honors Program?

No.  Graduation with honors requires acceptance into the Honors Program and successful fulfillment of the program requirements.  Additionally, honors cannot be conferred after you have already graduated.  Apply early!


Will participation in the Honors Program slow down my time to degree?

With some planning and foresight, participation in the Honors Program should not slow down your academic progress.  Honors courses can help fulfill one of your writing intensive (WI) requirements and may also help you to meet other graduation requirements such as a Diversification (D), Oral Communication (OR), or Ethics (ETH) requirement.


I am a new transfer student and have 12 college-level credits and a 3.5 GPA from another institution.  Can I be automatically admitted to the Leeward CC Honors Program?

No.  The Honors Program is a Leeward CC program and thus requires completion of 12 college-level credits and a 3.5 GPA from Leeward CC to join.


If I participate in the Honors Program, am I still eligible for other distinctions such as the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society and the Dean’s List?

Absolutely, yes!  Many Honors students are also members of Phi Theta Kappa, and several are also named to the Dean’s List each semester.  Try for them all!  Click on the above weblinks and/or consult the most recent Leeward CC college catalog for more information about these opportunities.


What is the difference between the Leeward CC Honors Program and the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society?

The Leeward CC Honors Program is a program of academic study that requires coursework as well as demonstration of academic excellence through a GPA of 3.5 or higher.  Phi Theta Kappa is an extracurricular organization that is external to students' academic studies, providing them a mechanism to enrich their college experience through service, leadership opportunities, intellectual exchange, and social events.  Like Honors, PTK also requires demonstration of academic excellence through a GPA of 3.5 or higher to join.


May I participate in the Spring commencement ceremony if I plan to complete the requirements for my degree/certificate the following Summer or Fall term?

If you will be within 9 credits of completing the requirements for your degree or certificate at the end of the Spring semester, and plan to graduate in Summer or Fall, you are eligible to participate in the Spring commencement ceremony.  You may also elect to participate in the Spring commencement ceremony following the completion of your degree/certificate requirements.  See the eligibility criteria to participate in the commencement ceremony for complete information.

 

What do I have to do to graduate with Honors at Leeward CC?

To graduate with honors, you must be accepted into the Honors Program, maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher, and complete ONE of the three below Honors colloquia, which are offered as writing-intensive (WI) courses:

· English (ENG) 272H: Introduction to Literature: Culture and Literature

· Interdisciplinary Studies (IS) 250H: Leadership Development

· Sociology (SOC) 250H: Community Forces in Hawai‘i


Once I have been accepted into the Honors Program, when do I have take one of the required Honors colloquia?

You may take one of the required Honors colloquia any time before you graduate.  However, it is advisable for you to take an Honors colloquium as early as possible to avoid the possibility of a course filling up or being canceled for low enrollment.  Give yourself a cushion and avoid taking an Honors colloquium at the last minute if you can avoid it!


Are Honors courses offered online?

Yes.  English 272H and Sociology 250H are currently offered as online courses.  Check the Class Availability list for more information.


What happens if I am accepted into the Honors Program but my cumulative GPA drops below 3.5?

A cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher is required for admission to the Honors Program, as well as for conferral of honors when you graduate and/or complete the requirements for your certificate.  Between admission and graduation/completion, your cumulative GPA may drop below 3.5.  However, your cumulative GPA must be 3.5 or higher when you graduate and/or complete your certificate for honors to be conferred.


What if I am accepted into the Honors Program but my date of graduation changes from what I originally noted in my application?

If your date of graduation changes, or if any of your contact information changes, immediately notify in writing the program coordinator, Michael Oishi, at mtoishi@hawaii.edu.   Failure to notify the coordinator of a change to your graduation date may result in you not graduating with honors.  Stay in touch and keep us up to date of important changes!


Does my Leeward CC honors distinction transfer to other two-year and four-year programs or institutions?

No.  While there may be similarities among the many honors programs across the country, each program is unique and has its own features and requirements.  The features and requirements of the Leeward CC Honors Program are unique to Leeward CC and do not entitle a student to admission to an honors program at, or to graduation with honors from, another program or institution.  Consult the honors requirements for the program or institution at which you are considering matriculating.  Graduation with honors from Leeward CC will, however, be noted on your diploma and transcript.


I am planning to transfer to a four-year campus within the UH system (e.g., UH Manoa, UH West Oahu, UH Hilo, UH Maui College) BEFORE I complete an AA degree and/or certificate at Leeward CC.  I have heard that I can earn a retroactive AA degree and/or certificate once I complete the requirements at my four-year UH campus.  Can I also earn retroactive Honors?

No.  The Honors Program is for Leeward CC students only.  If you would like the Honors designation on your degree and/or certificate, you must be currently enrolled at Leeward CC and it must be listed as your designated home campus.


The Honors Program requires a PDF copy of my Leeward CC transcript for admission.  How do I generate one?

Generating a PDF of your transcript is easy.  Just follow the below steps.

3.  Select Leeward CC as the campus transcript you would like to view (NOT All Campuses, as in the below screenshot).

4.  Select campus transcript by "Semester."

5.  Attach and send the PDF of your transcript to Michael Oishi at mtoishi@hawaii.edu as an email attachment.  That's all there is to it!

A 3.5 cumulative grade point average (GPA) is required for admission to the Leeward CC Honors Program.  How do I determine my cumulative GPA from my transcript?

Your cumulative GPA is located at the bottom far-right corner of your transcript, as shown in the below screenshot.

If you have questions that are not answered here, contact the program coordinator, Michael Oishi, at mtoishi@hawaii.edu.