• Honors Contract
• Channel 15's Honors Forum and Banquet Story

The Honors Program is the core of a variety of enrichment opportunities available at Roane State Community College. It offers a unique course of study to the most promising students at the college. The program, in affiliation with the National Collegiate Honors Council, is designed around the concept of student initiative and academic achievement. It is designed for students who want more from their collegiate experience. It provides opportunities to experience learning to a deeper level through creative, academic projects. Honors serves students who work hard, raise questions, and seek answers.

The Honors Program maintains strict standards for admission and participation. However, there are no extra fees to pay and many services are provided at no cost to the students. The most important criterion for success is each student’s motivation and dedication to learning.

Admission Procedures

Many different types of students are members of the Honors Program. Some are recent high school graduates while others are returning students, but all honors students have a strong commitment to their college career.   All students who wish to enter the program should complete an application form.   This form is mailed at the beginning of each semester to students who meet the admission requirements.  Also, interested students who feel they meet the following admission requirements may seek admission through an interview with one of the coordinators.

Admission Requirements

You may apply to the Honors Program if you are a:

• Freshman who has attained a 3.5 GPA in high school and/or scored 25 or higher on the ACT
• Current RSCC student who has attained a 3.5 GPA with at least 12 college-level credits
• Transfer student who has attained 3.5 GPA with at least 12 college-level credits from another accredited institution

Note: Some exceptions to these requirements are made based on a personal interview.

Requirements for Good Academic Standing

Students are expected to maintain a 3.3 GPA or higher. If the overall GPA drops below a 3.3, the student should concentrate on improving the GPA.

SPECIAL BENEFITS FOR HONORS PROGRAM MEMBERS

The advantages of participation in the Honors Program include increased knowledge, working relationships with faculty, and an exceptional college experience.   Other benefits include:

Graduation with Honors

Roane State Community College offers Honors degrees designed to each individual student’s needs. Members of the Honors Program may work toward one of two degree options:

• Honors Associate: earn 12 semester hours of honors credit and maintain a 3.3 GPA
• Honors Diploma: earn 18 semester hours of honors credit and maintain a 3.3 GPA

These two honors degree designations are one type of academic distinction that can be recorded on a student’s transcript and diploma.  There is only one other distinction: the Summa Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude and Cum Laude designations.  These are based on GPA alone.

Field Trips

Each fall, the Honors Program sponsors a field trip to an interesting educational or historical site. Field trip sites have included the Biltmore Estate, the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, The East Tennessee Historical Society, Historic Rugby, the McClung Historic Museum and the Knoxville Museum of Art. This is a unique opportunity for students and faculty to become acquainted outside the classroom. Field trips are provided to students free of charge.

The Honors Forum and Banquet

Each spring, Honors Program students, their families and Roane State faculty are invited to a forum and banquet. Students are encouraged to demonstrate and present their honors projects at the Forum. It is an opportunity to showcase the many quality projects that students have completed during the academic year.  Honors students can also get acquainted with each other, receive recognition for their work, and enjoy a free dinner with spouses or parents.

Genuine Improvements to a Resume or College Application

Reference to Honors Program projects can benefit a student’s resume or application in several ways.  First, the program itself should be mentioned under “Activities” or “Memberships.”  Secondly, individual projects should be described under a “Special Projects” or “Accomplishments” section.  If these projects highlight student abilities in his/her area of interest, so much the better.  Lastly, participation in the Honors Forum should be noted as an accomplishment.

HOW THE PROGRAM WORKS-- THE HONORS CONTRACT

In an effort to include students at each RSCC campus, the Honors Program uses a contract method as the means for obtaining honors credit. Students agree to complete a special project in one of their regular courses. The number of Honors credits earned are equivalent to the credit hours specified for each course.  For example, if a student completes an Honors project in a three-credit hour course, that individual earns three honors credits toward his/her degree.

Under this contract method, students work with their professors to develop special projects. Discussion between the student and faculty member generates a project that is described on the contract form. The contract form must be completed, signed and returned to an Honors Program Coordinator by mid-semester.   The student and instructor should each keep copies of the contract as well.  Ordinarily, this project involves independent work that must be distinct from regular course work. The project itself is not graded, but honors credit for the course is awarded if the project is completed to the professor’s satisfaction and the student receives a grade of  B or higher in the course.

Honors credit is designated on the student’s transcript when the contractual understanding is completed and reported.    It may take two to four weeks after the end of the semester before the official designation appears on the transcript.

SUMMARY: WHAT CAN THE HONORS PROGRAM DO FOR YOU?

Real Advantages

• Develop working relationships with your professors
• Earn Honors recognition at graduation
• Enhance your creativity and research skills
• Impress your chosen career or transfer program with your work
• Enjoy being a member of a small group within a larger college
• Design innovation projects on cutting edge topics
• Explore your interests
• Feel pride in yourself!

Real Benefits

• Personalized instruction
• Engaged professors
• Field trips
• Membership aid for Phi Theta Kappa
• Recognition at graduation
• Access to more scholarships
• Social activities