Arts & Sciences Honors Program
The Jackson State Community College Arts and Sciences Honors Program provides mentored, advanced, scholarly and creative enrichment opportunities for currently enrolled, academically talented students.
Who is eligible to take honors courses?
Any student currently enrolled at JSCC who meets one of the following criteria:
- An entering freshman with a High School GPA of 3.1 (3.25 preferred).
- A JSCC student with a GPA of 3.1.
- A college transfer student with a GPA of 3.1.
- A student with an ACT score of 26, or an equivalent score on a college entrance exam.
Graduation Requirements for Honors Program Distinction
- Fulfill all of the requirements of a two-year degree with a GPA of 3.25 or higher
- Successfully complete three honors courses in at least two disciplines.
How the Program / Process Works
Which courses will be offered? Before each semester begins, the Dean of the Arts and Sciences Division and the Department Chairs in consultation with interested faculty, determine which courses will offer an additional 1 hour "Honors Section" in conjunction with the parent course. For example, a 1 hour Honors Section of "Introduction to Philosophy" may be offered to students who meet the criteria and who are enrolled in Introduction to Philosophy. It is important to note that a student does not have to be enrolled in the parent course section which is taught by the Honors Faculty member to be eligible for the Honors Section, but they must be enrolled in the parent course.
How does a student sign up for an Honors course? Typically, during the first week of the semester, professors will announce the offerings of Honors Sections in their classes. Information about Honors Sections will be posted on JWEB as well. Students are encouraged to approach Honors Faculty and express an interest in taking an Honors course. Students are interviewed by the professor, criteria for admission to the Honors Program are reviewed, and the professor and student develop an Honors Contract. An Honors Contract should be initiated during the beginning of the semester before the Drop/Add date.
Tell me about the Honors Contract. The Honors Contract delineates the course requirements and learning outcomes. It specifies what the student and professor will do during the semester to successfully complete the honors course work. The contract is signed by both parties. The contract is reviewed and approved by the Department Chair. The student receives a copy of the contract, a copy is filed in the Dean’s office, and the professor retains a copy.
The required components of an Honors Course which are to be specified in the Honors Contract include:
- Learning Outcomes for the Honors Course.
- Specific assignments e.g., portfolio, papers, presentations, field work, lab experiments, reading assignments, etc…
- Regular meeting times with the Honors Professor. Biweekly meetings are recommended.
- Documented Community Service of 3 -5 hours which may be completed on or off campus.
- Attendance at least one colloquia / forum / speaker event offered by the Arts and Sciences Division during the semester.
- Obtain a grade of C or higher in the parent course.
Beyond these basic requirements, an Honors Course may resemble an "independent study" model. The professor and student are allowed autonomy and flexibility to creatively fashion a unique learning experience for the student which maximizes the student’s talents and interests and the professor’s expertise and scholarly inspiration. The professor will provide direction and mentoring. Meeting times and dates should be documented.
The Honors Faculty
The Honors Faculty are full-time JSCC faculty members who have been recommended by Department Chairs and approved by the Dean of Arts and Sciences to teach Honors Courses.
Honors Colloquia, Speakers, and Forums
The Division of Arts and Sciences and the Honors Program will host a series of programs throughout the semester which are open to any JSCC student, faculty member, and to the public at large. Each department in the Arts and Sciences Division may sponsor one of these events during the semester. Honors students are encouraged to attend and participate in as many programs as is possible during the semester, but they must attend at least one during the semester in which they are enrolled in an Honors course. Honors students will be provided an opportunity to meet together as a group with the Honors Faculty to discuss their individual Honors course projects.
Community Service
Students may elect to complete their 3 to 5 hours of volunteer community service on campus through SGA or Student Services, or through an outside agency or other community service organization.
Honors Course Grade
A grade for the Honors Course will be assigned by the Honors Faculty based on successful completion of the Honors Contract and an assessment of the work product e.g., formal paper, portfolio, research report, recital, oral presentation etc... The faculty member may elect to assign a Pass / Fail grade to denote that the basic requirements of the Honors Contract were met. The grade for the Honors Course is independent of the grade for the parent course, but the student must receive a grade of C or higher in the parent course to receive credit for the Honors Course.