Honors Program

Why Have an Honors Program?

Our Purpose

To help students in all majors achieve academic success.

How We Help

• Offering challenging and stimulating coursework
• Extracurricular activities offerings
• Encouraging participation in forums, colloquia and in-course honors projects
   

Outcomes

The Honors program advances the intellectual development of students. It also creates a community of scholars that represents not only its individual members, but JJC as a whole.

Most honors courses are gen ed transfer courses.

Honors courses can be found in the following subjects:

• humanities
• communications
• mathematics
• sciences
• social sciences

Privileges

You can:

• Register earlier for classes than your peers
• Enroll in honors courses
• Take part in special activities
• Participate in Honors Colloquia (a series of lectures and seminars presented by guest scholars)
• Have an honors designation on your JJC transcripts
• Be eligible for honors designation at graduation
• Receive advising from the Honors Program Coordinator
  • Get hands-on assistance planning your class schedule each semester
• Use the Honors Program Conference Room, Resource Room and computers

Goals

Our goals are to provide these benefits to our students: 

• Challenging and intense courses of study
• Opportunities to become acquainted with other outstanding students
• Forums for meeting and exchanging ideas with faculty members and visiting scholars
• Colloquia designed by and for honors students to provide unique experiences beyond the classroom

How much work is expected in the Honors Program?

Honors classes are not structured to simply give more work. Instead, our philosophy of teaching encourages more interaction and discussion in the classroom, along with more engaging assignments.

What are interdisciplinary courses?

Interdisciplinary courses are unique pairings of TWO classes in which instructors design special curriculum that overlaps both sections. These sections are often team taught, with each instructor participating and contributing to each other's sections.

Can I choose which teacher I want for my honors classes?

No. Honors classes are assigned to faculty members who are chosen to teach for the program. However, you can choose the instructor you want to work with for your in-course honors projects. 

I was home-schooled. Can I still be an honors student?

YES! Part of the entry process requires an entry interview with the Program Director. Special circumstances like this can be discussed. 

What if my school was on a 5-point scale?

On your application, let us know that your GPA was based on a 5-point scale. Our office will adjust your GPA to make a determination. 

I'm an older student returning to school. My test scores are old and I have no transcripts. Can I still get in?

Yes. Provisional entry into the program can be granted after the entry interview. Otherwise, JJC's GPA can be used to determine eligibility.

I'm a part-time student. Am I still eligible?

YES! Both part-time and full-time students are welcome.

Are honors classes denoted on transcripts?

YES. Honors courses are noted with an "H" or a similar abbreviation (H, Hon, Honors).

I have a family and/or a job and can't always make the activities. Can I still participate?

YES! Active participation in the program just means that you are enrolled in honors classes and that you participate in some forums and colloquia. Two activities or meetings a semester count toward involvement in the co-curricular portions of the program.

How long can I use the student computer for?

While there's no real time limit for computer use, please be respectful of others who may need to use the computer.

How does being an honor student affect transferring to a four-year school?

The honors program will help you become a more competitive candidate for the school of your choice. In many cases, students can take advantage of honors-to-honors articulation opportunities while transferring. All JJC honors courses are transferable.

I was in honors classes in high school. Do I get credit for them?

You can earn college credit for successful completion of AP tests in specific courses or through CLEP tests. While these won't count towards honors credits, these can still count toward degree requirements.

What are the other honors students like?

The program is made up of traditional high school graduates, home-schooled students, returning adult students, international students and more. We also have a diverse amount of student majors.

Is there a limit to how long I can be in the program?

No. Students may continue in the program as long as they are enrolled in JJC classes.

Why is the Honors Director my advisor?

As a JJC student, take advantage of as many advisors as you can. This includes advisors in your area of study or student advisors.

However, as an honors student, you can register for courses early. The Honors Director is the only one with the ability to pre-register your courses. Additionally, registration in Honors sections is limited to those students who have met the requirements of the program, or who have made special arrangements with the Director to enroll in these classes.

Do I have to take the option of graduating with Institutional Honors?

No. Many students enjoy honors coursework and do not intend to graduate from JJC. Graduation from the program is not a requirement to be a member.

What is priority registration?

Priority registration is given to all JJC students who have at least 45 credit hours or more. PRE-registration is granted to Honors Program members. This allows them to register early.  

Does it matter what my major is?

No. The honors program meets the needs of most majors. It also meets the needs of most transfer students.

What are in-course honors projects?

In-course honors opportunities allow students to create special projects to earn HONORS designation in a class not otherwise offered by the program. That is, students can complete in-course honors work and earn "honors" designation on their transcripts for that class, provided the in-course application procedure and project are properly completed.

What happens if I fail a class?

If you fail one class, that doesn't mean that you are automatically dismissed from the program. Cumulative GPAs are used in determining active status and successful completion of the program.

In order to graduate from the Honors Program, you must have an OVERALL cumulative GPA of 3.5.

If I take a semester/year off, can I still be in Honors when I return?

YES. However, you may need to fill out another application and complete another interview. 

Honors students may have the opportunity to join the Alpha Lambda Phi, a chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa, an international honors society.

To Join

Membership is offered at the beginning of the fall or spring semesters (September or January). Eligibility requirements include:

• You must be enrolled in at least 3 credit hours at JJC during fall or spring
• You must have a GPA of 3.5 or better
• You must have completed 12 hours or more of 100 level (or above) courses
   

Get Updates or Questions About Joining

• Get updates on activities and events via iCampus.
• Visit the Phi Theta Kappa international site at PTK.org.
• Questions about how to join? Email the chapter office at jjcptk@jjc.edu.
   

The Four Hallmarks of Phi Theta Kappa

• Scholarship
• Leadership
• Fellowship
• Service

November 2020

• PTK Members Make the Most of a Remote Environment
   

May 2020

• PTK Members Earn Awards