There are two major categories of awards and honors at
El Centro College. The Honors Program includes classes in
which students may receive honors credit that is annotated
on transcripts. In addition, honors scholars receive additional
acknowledgement at graduation. The second category of awards
and honors are Academic Transfer Awards that recognize students
who have demonstrated scholarship in particular fields of
study. Below, you will find detailed information and requirements
for these honors and awards programs. If you have any questions,
contact Wanda Downing Jones,
(214) 860-2676, Office A524.
FAQ's
What is the Honors Program?
The Honors Program has been in existence at El Centro College
since 1986. It is a program which affords the talented student
an opportunity to earn honors credit in almost any course that
is not developmental. The student is given the opportunity to
do extra, in-depth study in a particular subject of interest.
In addition, the student has close and frequent contact with
the instructor and with fellow students who have like interests.
The Honors Program provides a forum for collegiality and opportunities
for intellectual and personal growth.
What is "Honors Credit"?
When a student is awarded "honors credit" in a class, that
class is annotated on the student's permanent academic transcript
with a pound sign (#). In addition, the student is awarded
an honors certificate, signed by the college president and
the instructor. The certificate is suitable for framing.
What are the critieria for
a student to be an "honors student"?
An applicant for honors credit must meet at least ONE of the
following criteria in any TWO of these three groups:
GROUP A: 3.5 overall final GPA from high
school (must be supported by a high school transcript)
3.5 GPA on college level work attempted so far (with less
than 30 hours)
3.25 GPA earned on all collegiate work attempted to date (with
more than 30 hours)
Be in the top 10% of high school class (entering students
only)
GROUP B: 37 on the DTLS (MAPS) Reading Test
270 TASP Score (on either Reading or Writing portion)
1177 SAT Score (Combined Score) (No older than 5 years)
27 ACT Score (Enhanced Score) (No older than 5 years)
1894 on TAAS Writing and 95 TLI in Reading
GROUP C: Recommendation from an El Centro Instructor
Other special abilities or completion of exemplary projects
Participation in other collegiate Honors Programs
What is the difference between
an HONORS COURSE and a course with an HONORS OPTION?
HONORS COURSES contain
ONLY honors students. They have a section number of 5050 or
5051. They have an apple log beside them in the class schedule.
HONORS OPTION COURSES have both honors and non-honors students
who attend the same class sections. The honors students
work independently with the instructor on honors projects.
Classes with established honors options may have an indication
of this in the class schedules, but almost any non-developmental
studies course may have an honors option component with
permission of the instructor. If interested in a Honors
Option, please consult with your instructor or contact Wanda
Downing Jones, Director of the Honors Program at El
Centro.
In what disciplines are honors/honors
option courses offered?
Instructors of art, English, philosophy, humanities, sociology,
government, history, speech, and sonography generally offer
honors options on a regular basis. In addition, accounting,
biology, invasive cardiovascular technology, nursing, radiography,
Spanish, psychology, and statistics instructors have offered
honors options. El Centro College is dedicated to expanding
the Honors Option opportunities, so even if your course is
not listed, there is a possibility that your instructor might
be willing to offer an Honors Option on a student by student
basis.
What are some typical projects
or special assignments honors students do?
Honors projects and assignments vary from class to class and
depending upon the requirements of the instructor. In the
past, honors projects or assignments have included:
A class presentation on a well researched topic
Video productions (Speech)
Projects done in association with the Praxis Program
Discussions at philosophy lunches (based on the model of Ludwig
Wittgenstein's "at homes")
A full-fledged formal research paper
Extra reading and discussion with the instructor and/or fellow
students (Focus Groups)
A slide collection on a particular person or idea
Volunteer work
Journal keeping
Website creation
Field trip to historical site with report and illustrations
What is the relationship between
the Honors Program and Phi Theta Kappa, the Community College
Honor Society?
There is no formal relationship, although many honor students
are members of Phi Theta Kappa. Even if you are not a member
of Phi Theta Kappa, you may participate in honors classes or
the honors scholars program.
What advantages are there
to being in the Honors Program?
The Honors Program usually has a special program and/or luncheon
during the semester. Students have also reported that participation
in the Honors Program has been an asset to them on resumes,
scholarship opportunities, and admission into highly competitive
university programs.
What has become of some honors
students of the past?
Many have gone onto such schools as Southern Methodist University,
Hunter College, New York State University, University of Minnesota,
University of Texas at Austin, University of Colorado at Boulder,
University of Nevada at Las Vegas, University of North Texas,
University of Dallas, and University of Texas at Arlington.
They have majored in such diverse areas as classics, philosophy,
English, French, history, anthropology, religion, education,
engineering, and education. Almost all have continued to turn
in exemplary academic performances at the collegtes and universities
they have attended and a large majority have opted to attend
graduate and professional schools. Many have developed leadership
skills in the community and devoted themselves to helping
others in community service programs. There is also a more
abstract outcome in that students have more confidence in
there abilities and pride in their accomplishments.
How do I apply for Honors
Option? Instructors offering an Honors Option have a contract
for students to complete. The contract describes the work
to be done and when the work should be completed. If the work
is not completed, the student will receive a non-honors grade
in this class but no penalty.
Where can I get more information
about the Honors Program?
Wanda Downing Jones is the Director of the Honors Program.
Her e-mail is wej5475@dcccd.edu,
phone (214) 860-2676, and office A524.
Honors Scholars
Honors Scholars are students who take at least four honors
courses in at least two divisions in addition to the Honors
Capstone Humanities 1302 class. Honors Scholars receive a
plaque and special recognition at commencement. A notation
is made on transcripts to attest to graduation as Honors Scholars.
What is Humanities 1302?
Humanities 1302 is the Capstone Honors course offered each
spring semester by Bob Chambers. It considers the art, literature,
music and philosophy of The Americas. It makes heavy use of
the Museum of The Americas at the Dallas Museum of Art. Numerous
class sessions are held at the museum. The class has frequent
guest lecturers and presenters.
Academic Transfer Awards
Typically, community college students in academic transfer
programs do not declare majors. However, El Centro College
realizes that it is fortunate to have a number of students
who take twelve or more hours in one field of study or in
related fields. The El Centro faculty believes these students
should be recognized for their hard work. Perhaps when these
students transfer to a four year collge or university, many
of them will major or minor in the fields in which they have
earned twelve or more hours of credit at El Centro.
There are TWO categories of Academic Transfer Awards. Discipline
Studies Awards focus on one particular subject while Interdisciplinary
Studies Awards include several sub-topics within major fields
of study.
Discipline Studies Awards include English,
Music, Philosophy, Spanish, Speech, Sociology, and History.
Interdisciplinary Studies Awards include Performance
Arts (Drama, Music, and Dance Performance Courses); Physical
Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics or approved others);
Social Sciences (Sociology, History, Government, plus a second
course in one of these)
What do I have to do to qualify for one or more of these
award?
- Complete a total of twelve (12) credit hours of selected
academic courses with a minimum grade of a "C" in each
course.
- Complete all courses for the award with a five (5)
year time span.
- Complete at least nine (9) credit hours of the required
courses at El Centro with the final course in the
series taken at El Centro the semester the degree is awarded.
- Understand that no course may be counted more than
once for an El Centro Academic Transfer Award.
- For an Interdisciplinary Award, take at least one (1)
course in each of the areas listed under the award on
the reverse side of this flyer. The fourth course is a
second semester of study in any of the listed courses.
What are the benefits to me for earning such an award?
- You will receive a certificate, suitable for framing
and signed by college officials recognizing your achievement.
- You will be recognized during our Student Recognition
Day assembly.
- You will be well on your way to a major or minor when
you transfer.
- You will have the opportunity to explore a field in which
you think you might be interested in some depth before you
transfer.
- You will study with classmates with like interests and
educational goals.
How do I apply?
When you are in your final course required for an award, ask
your instructor or the division secretary for an "Academic
Transfer Awards Application." You may also obtain an application
from Wanda Downing Jones, office A524. Complete the application
and return it to your instructor, the division secretary,
or Ms. Jones.
Who do I contact for more information?
Contact Wanda Downing Jones. e-mail,
phone (214) 860-2676, Office A524, Mailbox A546. |
