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Honors Program

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Brian Baillif, Honors Director
Visual & Performing Arts

 

The Honors Program

Apply to the Honors Program

The Honors Program emphasizes the development of your critical thinking skills in an environment that is unique and challenging. Honors courses are not designed to be more work, although they may be. Rather, these courses are designed to be a different approach to teaching and learning. This more experiential and engaged method of teaching and learning will maximize your learning potential.  Our honors classes are full of bright, promising students and are led by exceptional faculty.

Honors classes are small, generally fewer than 20 students per class. Emphasis is placed on individuality, originality and participation. As an honors student,you will have opportunities to participate in unique research activities, special classroom activities not usually available in the traditional classroom and exciting co-curricular and extracurricular field trips.

Reuirements to Complete the Honors Program

The Honors Program recognizes two levels of academic distinction: Honors Program Scholars and Honors Program Graduates.

Honors Program Scholars

  • Complete 12 credit hours of approved Honors courses
  • Earn 25 Service Points though approved extracurricular activities
  • Complete the requirements to graduate with your degree  with a GPA of 3.0 - 3.49

If you complete the program as an Honors Program Scholar, you will receive special recognition at Gulf Coast State College's Annual Honors Convocation where you will be presented with the Honors Cord to wear during graduation.

Honors Program Graduates

  • Complete 12 credit hours of approved Honors courses
  • Earn 25 Service Points though approved extracurricular activities
  • Complete the requirements to graduate with your degree  with a GPA of 3.5 - 4.0

If you complete the program as an Honors Program Graduate, you will receive special recognition at Gulf Coast State College's Annual Honors Convocation where you will be presented with the Honors Cord and Honors Stole to wear during graduation.  Additionally, you will receive the seal of Honors on your diploma and will have the highly advantageous designation of "Graduate of the Honors Program" placed on all transcripts.

Honors Program Curriculum and Service Points

The  curriculum is designed to fit every Associate in Arts (AA) program that Gulf Coast State College offers. The honors courses will fulfill most of the general education requirements for any AA degree. Thus, the program does not add to the number of courses required. All courses will have "Honors" designation on your College transcript and have the "H" added after course numbers.  

Activities qualifying for Service Points include community service, academic achievements, and participation in selected college events or collaborations, as approved by the Honors Program Committee.

By participating in the Honors Program, you may be eligible for additional scholarship opportunities, membership in Phi Theta Kappa International Honorary, nomination to Academic All-USA Team and Brain Bowl activities.

Gulf Coast State College does not discriminate against any person in its programs, activities, policies or procedures on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, marital status, religion, age, gender, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. All questions or inquiries regarding compliance with laws relating to non-discrimination and all complaints regarding sexual misconduct or discrimination, may be directed to Lee Wood, Executive Director, Human Resources/Title II/504/Title IX Coordinator and Employment Equity Officer, Gulf Coast State College, 5230 W. US Highway 98, Panama City, FL 32401.