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Honors Programs

ERIC Clearinghouse for Community Colleges
EdInfo Number 99-01

51 published prescriptive essays and reports on honors programs in community colleges from across the country were reviewed. The following are types of courses most frequently offered in honors programs:

• "In-course honors," a standard course is enhanced by adding a special honors project requirement. To some researchers, inclusion of too many of these courses represents a weak commitment by the institution to its honors program.
• Honors sections of standard courses; the most common type of honors courses. Credit for these classes easily transfers to baccalaureate institutions.
• Special courses, often interdisciplinary in nature. Interdisciplinary courses present problems when transferring credit to 4-year institutions.
• Special seminars or labs.
• Independent study opportunities.
• A combination of any of the above in sequences that sometimes replace general education electives. Transferring credit to baccalaureate institutions for these classes is sometimes problematic.

This report indicates that participants in community college honors programs tend to be white females of higher than traditional age and that minorities are underrepresented. Further, honors students tend to stay in school longer and maintain higher G.P.A.s (though faculty admits to skewing grades to the high end).

This information was reported in JC 980 183, "Honors Programs in Community Colleges: A Review of Recent Issues and Literature." A full-text copy of this document may be obtained from the ERIC Document Reproduction Services, 7420 Fullerton Road, Suite 110, Springfield, VA 22153; or call (800) 443-ERIC.

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Updated 10/10/01
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