Honors studies at North Central State College are a little different than a lot of institutions. We challenge students to explore their interests and expand their boundaries.
NC State Honor Students are encouraged to break out of the classroom and interact with the community. They design projects and research under the mentorship of dedicated honors faculty members, submit their concepts for approval for honors credit, and go to work on their project. These experiences of integrated learning are equal parts inspiring, practical, meaningful and empowering. The honors experience is also personally rewarding for many students.
Each month the NC State Honor Students are invited to participate in an exclusive Honors Colloquium. The colloquia serve as important networking opportunities with business, industry, education, and government representatives who share their personal insight into leadership, civic engagement, character development, and global awareness.
At the end of Fall and Spring Semester, Honor Students display and present their projects at the Honors Exhibition in the Conard Common on the main campus. Students, faculty, administration, members of the Board of Trustees, and the community are invited to attend and share in the celebration of exceptional learning.
Credits for honors studies are included on student transcripts. Students who complete a minimum of 4 course projects and 15 hours of honors coursework will receive special recognition at graduation and be identified as a graduate of the Honors College on their transcript.
For more information on the Honors College at North Central State College, contact the Honors College Director in the Office of the Dean of Liberal Arts at 419-755-4876, or email HonorsCollege@ncstatecollege.edu.
Mission Statement
The North Central State Honors College will provide enhanced learning opportunities for talented students in both academic and career programs in an effort to enable them to develop to their fullest potential.
Guiding Principles
- To offer challenges and opportunities to highly‐motivated, academically‐talented, and committed students.
- To provide students with engaging intellectual environments to facilitate the growth of strong academic skills.
- To provide special recognition and rewards for outstanding students.
- To attract and retain students of excellence.
- To provide an intellectually stimulating context in which students can explore connections between theory and practice.
- To provide a context in which students learn to connect or integrate ideas and methods across disciplines.
- To impart to students a lasting love and enthusiasm for learning, problem solving, service, leadership, and critical thinking.
Admissions
Automatic Admission
On the first day of each semester, all students with a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher (college or high school) are automatically members of the North Central State College Honors College. These students are notified of their admission by email on the first day of the term and by follow‐up letter to their home. All Honors Students may earn honors credit in the college‐level courses of their choice and/or participate in all Honors College sponsored functions. However, only Honors Students who successfully complete an Honors Project, attend a mandatory Honors Colloquium, participate in the Honors Exhibition, and earn a grade of B or better in the course will earn honors credit for the term.
Admission by Application
Students with cumulative grade point averages between 3.2 and 3.5 are invited to apply for admission to the Honors College. These students must complete an application and return it to the Honors College Director in the Office of the Dean of Liberal Arts before the second Friday of the term. The Honors Council will review the application and render an admission status decision.
Admission Based on Special Circumstances
Students who seek admission to the Honors College and believe they have special or unique circumstances must complete an application and return it to the Honors College Director in the Office of the Dean of Liberal Arts before the second Friday of the term.
Requirements
Striving for Excellence
- Obtain a Letter of Qualification from the Honors College Director in the Office of the Dean of Liberal Arts and present the Letter to the professor for the class(es) desired for honors credit.
- Submit a completed project proposal form to the professor of the class in which they wish to pursue honors credit by the second Friday of the semester.
- Collaborate with the instructor to develop an honors project and sign an honors contract created by the instructor. The contract must be received in the Office of the Dean of Liberal Arts by the third Friday of the semester.
- Complete the project as detailed in the contract.
- Attend at least one honors colloquium during the term and present a certificate of attendance to the honors instructor.
- Report the honors project in the form of an academic poster demonstration.
- Submit the poster to the honors instructor for review by the project deadline. The poster will be evaluated using the poster rubric. The approved poster must receive a passing score to enter the poster exhibition.
- If approved, the poster must be displayed at the Honors College Poster Exhibition from 8:00 am - 6:00 pm on the scheduled date.
- The student must complete the course with a grade of “B” or better.
The Honors Contract
Completion of an Approved Honors Project
The honors project must be completed through a contract between the honor student and the honors faculty member. The contract must also be approved by the Honors College Director. The project should be completed by the student as an extension to their regular expectations for the course, ranging between 20 and 25 clock hours of personal commitment. The project must exceed the regular course learning objectives, be detailed by clearly articulated embedded learning objectives in the course and incorporate a community engagement component. Honors projects are not graded and do not affect the course grade.
What It Is…
Diving deeper into the subject through creative and innovative approaches such as service learning, civic engagement, peer support and mentoring, shadowing, assisting with research, and other progressive approaches to learning.
What It Is Not…
Read an extra book, write an extra paper, and/or give an extra speech.
Benefits of Honor College
- Expand Studies on Topic of Interest
- Enhance Resume & College Transcript
- Network with Recognized Leaders
- Heighten Skills in Global Awareness & Leadership
- Enrich character development
- Develop Your Educational Opportunities
- Qualify for Transfer Scholarships
- Receive Special Recognition
Important Terms
Honors Project is a required co‐curricular activity requiring approximately 20‐25 clock hours whereby the student explores the learning objectives of the course beyond the scope of the course and at a deeper depth. Service learning, civic engagement, shadowing, and applied/integrated learning is strongly encouraged. Writing an extra paper or giving an extra speech will not be accepted as an honors project. For more information about developing honors projects, feel free to contact the Honors College Director in the Office of the Dean of Liberal Arts. Projects do not impact course grades.
Honors Colloquia are networking opportunities with business, industry, education, and government representatives sharing insight on leadership, character development, and global competencies. The colloquia are held monthly for Honors students. Each Honors student seeking credit must attend at least one colloquium per semester. Honors students not seeking credit are also encouraged, but not required, to attend.
Honors Exhibition is the culminating celebration of successful Honors Projects of the semester whereby the students are required to present their work through an academic poster demonstration to the community.
Honors Contract is the agreement reached between the Honors student and the Honors faculty detailing the Honors Project. The contract is completed by the Honors faculty. The learning outcomes are measurable, detailed, and beyond the scope of the course.
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