We have adopted a new “point system” for our academic (in class) and our engagement/leadership (out of class) expectations: Previously, our Honors Program Graduates were asked to complete at least 15 credit hours in Honors. As we have created more special topics and Honors experiences, we now will ask students to complete 5 points of academic Honors coursework (Academic Inquiry). This can still be earned by taking what would have been five 3-credit Honors courses. Each Honors general education course between 1-3 credit hours you complete will now count as 1 point. If there is an Honors section of 4 credit hours or more, it will count as 2 points. Our Honors in Action, Honors Inquiry Project, and future one-credit special topics courses, though only one-credit hour, will count as 1 point for this category as well. Students can create their own flexible path with a combination of Honors sections and/or our Honors special topics learning experiences. For details on Community and Campus Engagement and the Capstone Portfolios for each level, please see those specific pages in this Google Site.
Honors Program Graduate Expectations:
5 points (or more) in Academic Inquiry:
Any 1-3 credit hour Honors course = 1 point
Any 4+ credit hour Honors course = 2 points.
Students will be expected to take at least 2 Honors sections of general education courses as part of their 5 points.
The 5 points can be earned through Honors general education courses or through Honors in Action, Honors Inquiry Projects, or any newly created Honors special topics class earning experience.
3 (or more) points in the area of Campus and Community Engagement (See details on subsequent page)
Finish with a 3.25 or higher overall GPA.
Completion of the Honors Capstone Portfolio (Note, the one-credit that is awarded to students for enrolling in the Honors Capstone Portfolio course is in addition to their 5 points--it does not count as one of the class experiences.)
Portfolio expectations remain the same; students select artifacts to demonstrate the meeting of each of the Honors Program Outcomes, making sure all Honors courses are represented.
Honors Program Achiever Expectations:
3 points (or more) in Academic Inquiry:
Any 1-3 credit hour Honors course = 1 point
Any 4+ credit hour Honors course = 2 points.
Students will be expected to take at least 1 Honors section of general education courses as part of their 3 points.
The 3 points can be earned through Honors general education courses or through Honors in Action, Honors Inquiry Projects, or any newly created Honors special topics class earning experience.
2 points (or more) in the area of Campus and Community Engagement (See details here Campus and Community Engagement Expectations )
Finish with a 3.25 or higher overall GPA.
Completion of the Honors Capstone Portfolio (Note, the one-credit that is awarded to students for enrolling in the Honors Capstone Portfolio course is in addition to their 3 points--it does not count as one of the class experiences.)
Portfolio expectations for Achievers are adjusted to match their level of engagement in Honors: Achievers are to include one artifact from each Honors class and at least two key experiences related to leadership, service, or personal growth. Students reflect on how each of these experiences aligns with the related Honors Program Outcomes.
Note to students who transfer from other institutions:
The ECC's Honors Program will consider Honors courses that you have completed at a previous institution to count toward Academic Inquiry expectations to earn a level of recognition.
Transfer students can request that one verified Honors course of 3 or more credit hours completed within the past 5 years count toward the expectations to be recognized as an Honors Program Achiever.
Transfer students can request that up to two verified Honors courses of 3 or more credit hours each completed within the past 5 years count toward the expectations to be recognized as an Honors Program Graduate.