Honors Program

South Suburban College strives to provide accomplished students with the opportunity to engage in studies that are more intellectually challenging than traditional sections of the same course offerings. Honors courses do not necessarily require more work but instead involve enriched study around a specialized topic, allowing students to commit more time to the intensive study of select learning outcomes. Honors learning outcomes are developed by committed faculty with the requisite experience in the area of study.

Qualifications:

Applicants must meet two of the following criteria. At least one must be from Group I; however, both may be from that Group:

GROUP I

  • High school GPA of 3.5
  • Upper 10% of high school graduating class
  • ACT score of 25 or better
  • SAT score of 1100 or better
  • SSC GPA of 3.5 (12 hrs. min. of 100-level courses or above)
  • HSE/GED test score of 3000 or better

GROUP II

  • Recommendation from SSC instructor (verbal or written)
  • Letter of recommendation from high school instructor (Instructor you had during senior year in an academic course)
  • To remain in the Honors programs, students must maintain a 3.25 GPA.

Recognition:

  • Scholarship tuition waiver for Honors-designated courses
  • Honors course designation on SSC transcript
  • Member of Honors Program indicated on transcript.
  • Access to special counselor to assist Honors students with transferring and obtaining academic scholarships
  • Recognition at Honors Convocation

Application

Application forms are available online or in Room 3223, the Counseling Center, the Honors/ Phi Theta Kappa Center (Room 4255) or from the Coordinator of the Honors Program. Applications are accepted at any time.
Honors Application
 

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have attended SSC and have accumulated 12 semester hours of college-level credit with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or better on (4.0 scale), you qualify for membership in SSC’s Honors Program. There are other ways to qualify. See the details on the Academic Recognition section of SSC’s WebPage.

First of all, because nothing bad will happen to you, and there is every likelihood that something good will happen. Second, because it’s simple and free.

For starters, free tuition for any honors courses you take while at SSC. And free lunches each semester with fellow honors students, faculty, and staff. Don’t forget the prestige of having “Honors Program Member” stamped on your transcript. And last but hardly least, there’s the opportunity to take some truly thought-provoking courses, which have been specially developed by SSC faculty.

Honors course work is indeed more challenging, but Honors courses are not merely more of the same work you would do in a non-honors course.

No. Honors students are graded against the performance of the entire student body, not merely against other honors students. For example, an essay, which earned a “B” grade on an assignment in ENG 101 Honors, would have earned a “B” grade in a non-honors ENG 101 course.

Simply fill out an Honors Application and submit it to the office indicated on the form. These applications are available from the Honors Coordinator, Dr. Herman Stark, Room 3471 or from Christin Miller, Room 2134; or from the brochure holder outside the Honors/Phi Theta Kappa Center, Room 4255.

No. Phi Theta Kappa is an international Honor Society whose main function is to recognize student achievement. It requires a 3.5 GPA to join and a $60 membership fee ($30 fee if you are on financial aid). PTK members have many additional opportunities and benefits. Learn more about the college’s Phi Theta Kappa chapter.


 

Spring 2023 Honors Course Schedule

POSTED: 12/01/2022

NOTE: These classes are subject to change. Refer to SELF SERVICE for the most up to date information.
Register early to ensure enrollment.
Course Title Instructor Days/Meeting Times/Room Beginning Date
ENG 102-401 Composition & Research M. Shear M/W/F
9:00-9:30a
MA 3137		 1/18/2023
ENG 102-421 Composition & Research M. Shear M/W/F
9:00-9:30a
VIRTUAL		 1/18/2023
ENG 103-480 Introduction to American Literature, 1607-CW R. Bailey ONLINE 2/13/2023
ENG 111-481 Introduction to Literature I R. Bailey ONLINE 2/13/2023
ENG 203-401 Introduction to British Literature II L. Wollstadt M/W
12:00n-1:15p
MA 3222		 1/18/2023
ENG 203-481 Introduction to British Literature II L. Wollstadt M/W
12:00n-1:15p
VIRTUAL		 1/18/2023
HFA 202-460 General Humanities II H. Stark R
6:30-10:00p
MA LHC		 2/16/2023
HUM 210-401 World Mythology K. Collett T/R
11:00a-12:15p
MA 3155		 1/17/2023
HUM 210-421 World Mythology K. Collett T/R 11:00a-12:15p VIRTUAL 1/17/2023
PHL 103-430 World Religions H. Stark ONLINE 1/17/2023
PHL 105-401 Logic H. Stark M
7:00-10:00p
MA LHB		 1/23/2023
PSY 101-401 Introduction to Psychology TBA M/W
2:00-3:15p
MA 3371		 1/18/2023
SPE 108-430 Oral Communication L. Jefferson ONLINE 1/17/2023