Minor in Honors Studies

A unique enrichment opportunity for high-achieving students

The Minor in Honors Studies offers motivated and talented students the opportunity to develop their academic potential to the fullest by taking intellectually challenging, stimulating and academically rigorous honors classes, thus complementing and enriching their respective major curricula. The Minor in Honors Studies features smaller classes that allow for greater personal interaction with faculty; individually supervised research projects; and community based service learning projects. Honors education at DCC transcends the boundaries of the traditional classroom, as honors students take on leadership positions on campus, and are encouraged to participate in intellectual and scholarly activities in their local community and their respective academic fields.

Individual academic advisement and intensive counseling prepare students enrolled in A.A. or A.S. programs for transfer to competitive four-year institutions. In the past, DCC Honors students have transferred to, among others, Cornell University, New York University, Vassar College, Smith College as well as SUNY’s more selective four-year campuses. Honors Studies students enrolled in A.A.S. programs will graduate with enhanced competitiveness for the workplace. The DCC Honors Studies graduate is an academically well-rounded as well as a civic-minded and globally conscious citizen.

The DCC Minor in Honors Studies is open to qualified students in all curricula. Students are accepted to the Minor on the basis of high school achievement and an individual interview. Qualified students with a 3.25 cumulative GPA or higher may also enter the Minor after their first or second semester at DCC following an individual interview with the Honors Coordinator (for students enrolled in GSP and LAH) or their Program Chair. Qualified students unable to commit themselves to the entire Honors Studies sequence may enroll in individual honors courses if they fulfill eligibility requirements for the program or with the written permission of the Honors Coordinator.

Completion Criteria:

The Associate in Arts (A.A.), Associate in Sciences (A.S.), or Associate in Applied Sciences (A.A.S.) degree with a Minor in Honors Studies is awarded upon completion of major degree requirements along with the following requirements of the Honors Minor:

• Completion of a minimum of 12 honors credits across the curriculum; these credits may or may not apply to a student’s Major program of study (at least one Honors course in each semester that the student is in the program.)
• Completion of the Honors capstone seminar (e.g., LSS 201.H) (3 credits)
• Students will select four upper-level courses from their Major program of study to apply toward the Honors Minor;
• A minimum of four upper-level courses from the Major program of study will be applied toward the Honors Minor. These may be “Honors” designated courses which would also apply toward the 12 credits of Honors courses.
  • Within these upper-level courses, students must meet the minimum Math/Science requirement for the Minor, even if this exceeds the requirements of the Major program of study. There are two ways to meet this requirement:
    • MAT210 or MAT185 or above; OR
    • Any other MAT course required in the student’s major curriculum AND one of the following laboratory science courses:BIO 105 or higher (BIO 131 recommended for Nursing Students); CHE121 or higher; GLG 121 or higher; PHY121 or higher; PHS 107; PHS 111; PHS 114; AST 131; AST 132.

Students should work closely with their advisor(s) to create a plan of study that incorporates these requirements without adding an undue burden of additional credits.

Learning Outcomes:

As the Minor in Honors Studies complements a student’s major curriculum, some learning outcomes may overlap with those of a student’s major curriculum. In addition, students who minor in Honors Studies will be able to:

• Demonstrate enhanced critical and analytical thinking skills.
• Recognize the value of diversity in our local, national and global communities.
• Demonstrate a commitment to serve and sustain the local communities in which they live.
• Demonstrate the ability to approach political, social, economic and scientific problems through inter-disciplinary approaches.
• Practice civic minded ethical and responsible citizenship.
• Understand and appreciate cultures other than their own.