The Honors Program
The Honors Program is a full program for a cohort of students. After applying to and being accepted into the program, students work towards earning Honors designation on their transcript for their degree. In addition to the required number of credits, students must complete an Honors program project that is presented at an Honors Showcase.
Honors courses are open to students enrolled in the Honors Program, and also to students who qualify academically to take Honors courses but are not in the Honors Program.
Honors courses offer smaller class sizes in which all students enrolled are Honors students. Honors Option courses offer those who excel in the core courses of their major or specific subjects an opportunity to achieve a higher level of competence in a regular section of a class. In addition to the standard assignments, students will complete an Honors project that relates to the course objectives, and they work closely with the professor to complete the assignment.
To receive an Honors designation on their transcript, students enrolled in Associate of Applied Science programs must complete 16 credits of Honors or Honors option courses distributed among the areas of communication, humanities, social science, mathematics, and science. Students enrolled in Associate of Arts, Associate of Fine Arts, and Associate of Science programs must complete 18 credits of Honors or Honors option courses distributed among the same disciplines.
Students can apply to take honors courses or seek an Honors degree directly from high school (Challenger Program students) or while enrolled at the college. Admission from high school requires that the student achieve an SAT score of at least 1240 or ACT of 26 or higher and be in the top 10% of the graduating class. Current students must have completed 12 credits at CCM with an overall GPA of 3.3 or higher. Students can contact the Honors team at honors@ccm.edu to determine their eligibility.
Honors Mission Statement
CCM Honors is a community of scholars that engages in an atmosphere that promotes and supports personal, academic, and intellectual growth. We are dedicated to academic rigor, integrity, equity, and inclusiveness and have responsibilities to our communities and society as a whole.
The Honors IDEALS
Inclusiveness, Diversity, Enrichment, Achievement, Lifelong Learning, Leadership, Service to Community
What is the Honors Experience at CCM?
The Honors experience at CCM is for students who display exemplary engagement within their academic disciplines and programs. It is an opportunity for deep exploration and enrichment, where high-achieving students can develop their special talents and enjoy an intensive and stimulating learning atmosphere.
Three Defining Components of the Honors Experience
Teaching and Learning
- Active learning and student-driven discourse characterize instructional sessions.
- Students develop a deeper level of scholarship and knowledge acquisition, using resources inside and outside the classroom and presenting their findings to relevant stakeholders.
- Instructors and students collaborate to foster an interdisciplinary approach to learning.
Experiential Opportunities
- Students participate in relevant field- and discipline-specific experiences.
- Instructors facilitate the process of reflection, connection, and evaluation of the experiential learning opportunity.
Assessment
- Honors course assessments focus on synthesizing concepts and applying them critically.
- Students complete an Honors project and present their work at a student showcase which is open to the campus community.
Honors Activities and Programs
All students enrolled in Honors classes have the opportunity to take part in monthly programming that enriches their college experience and prepares them for success beyond CCM. Students will learn more about various services offered by CCM, such as career services, transfer services, and library resources. Gatherings will also include workshops and celebrations of students and their work, all while building community with other Honors students.
Honors FAQ
Why take honors classes (or classes with an honors option)?
If you are a high-achieving student who wants to be accepted into your dream college/university or get the job of your dreams, the best option to prepare you to achieve these academic and professional goals is the honors program. Honors students receive an honors designation on their transcripts. You will stand out among candidates who apply to be accepted by a university or get a job in the future.
Who is an honor student?
Anyone who fulfills the requirements that are listed on the main page for Honors Study. Some of you may have all the requirements to participate in this program, but you may still feel that the classes may be too demanding. The truth-Honors courses require work, but they also expand your analytical and research skills. You will need these in your future endeavors. These courses give you the opportunity to delve deeper into your topics of interest and allow you to work closely with a professor (professors) who will teach and mentor you every step of the way.
Does an honor student work alone?
Honors students work closely with a faculty member and learn from his/her expertise. Furthermore, our honors program regularly creates activities that allow its members to meet and socialize. You will have discussions and share interests with your peers in the program.
Will I be able to feature the work/project I create for my honor class/classes?
Every semester the honors program showcases the work of students in this program. You will be able to exhibit your work and discuss the project with professors, staff, and students in the CCM community.
Do Honors students transfer, and where?
CCM has Honors relationships with outstanding four-year colleges and universities to ease the process of transferring credits. CCM Honors students have transferred to such prestigious colleges and universities as Brown University, Columbia University, Cornell University, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Northwestern University and Yale University.
What is required to graduate “With Honors”?
To earn an Honors designation on your transcript, students enrolled in Associate of Applied Science programs must complete 16 credits of Honors or Honors option courses distributed among the areas of communication, humanities, social science, mathematics, and science. Students enrolled in Associate of Arts, Associate of Fine Arts, and Associate of Science programs must complete 18 credits of Honors or Honors option courses distributed among the same disciplines.
My question is not answered here: who do I contact?
Students interested in Honors study should contact the Honors Director, Professor Samantha Gigliotti, and/or the Honors Coordinators, Dr. Brian Sahotsky and Professor Jennifer Qvotrup, at honors@ccm.edu for more information.