2012-2013 CATALOG

This is an archived copy of the 2012-2013 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.miracosta.edu

Honors Scholar Program

Oceanside, Student Center: 760.795.6878

www.miracosta.edu/honors

The Honors Scholar Program (HSP) provides highly motivated students enriched academic experiences as well as opportunities for civic engagement. Successful completion of the program gives honors students a competitive edge in consideration for transfer admission to four-year colleges and universities.

Students interested in virtually every major can participate in the Honors Scholar Program while making continuous progress toward graduation from MiraCosta College and transfer to a four-year institution. Honors students are guided by a Transfer Center counselor to establish an individualized educational plan that best suits their particular educational goals.

Additionally, the Honors Scholar Program cultivates a heightened sense of community for its members by actively supporting social activities and cultural outings that build camaraderie and public service. Honors Lounges located at both the Oceanside and San Elijo campuses provide communal space for honors students to study, socialize, and collaborate.

Honors courses are designed to develop exceptional academic ability by providing challenging course work through intensive instruction from outstanding faculty in small classes. These courses fulfill IGETC and CSU general education requirements and are offered at both the Oceanside and San Elijo campuses.

Of special note, exemplary students in the Honors Scholar Program have opportunities to present and publish their academic work at undergraduate research conferences in California.

Students who successfully complete the Honors Scholar Program are eligible for priority consideration for admission to many top tier public and private four-year colleges and universities, often with scholarships.

The Honors Scholar Program at MiraCosta College is a certified member of the UCLA Transfer Alliance Program (TAP), closely coordinating its program outcomes with admission requirements for UCLA’s College of Letters and Science. The program is also an active participating member of the Honors Transfer Council of California, the Western Regional Honors Conference, and the National Honors Collegiate Council.

Honors students interested in leadership development may also apply to become an Honors Navigator. Students carefully selected for this role serve as peer mentors or project leaders and participate in outreach efforts for the Honors Scholar Program.

Current Honors Curriculum

While HSP students in good standing have first access to the honors courses, any student may enroll in an honors course; acceptance to the Honors Scholar Program is not required for enrollment.

Complete five from the following:
ADM 100H	Introduction to the Administration of Justice (Honors)
ANTH 101H	Biological Anthropology (Honors)
ANTH 102H	Cultural Anthropology (Honors)
ART 260H	History of Modern Art (Honors)
BUS 140H	Legal Environment of Business (Honors)
ENGL 201H	Critical Thinking, Composition, and Literature (Honors)
ENGL 202H	Critical Thinking and Composition (Honors)
FILM 101H	Introduction to Film (Honors)
GEOL 101H	Physical Geology (Honors)
HIST 100H	World History to 1500 (Honors)
HIST 101H	World History Since 1500 (Honors)
HIST 103H	Western Civilization to 1648 (Honors)
HIST 104H	Western Civilization Since 1648 (Honors)
HIST 105H	History of England (Honors)
HIST 110H	United States History to 1877 (Honors)
HIST 111H	United States History Since 1877 (Honors)
HUMN 101H	Introduction to the Arts (Honors)
LIT 265H	Shakespeare Studies (Honors)
MATH 150H	Calculus and Analytic Geometry (Honors)
MUS 115H	History and Appreciation of Western Music (Honors)
OCEA 101H	Introduction to Oceanography (Honors)
PSYC 101H	General Psychology (Honors)
SOC 101H	Introduction to Sociology (Honors)

Program Admission Requirements

Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25 in high school or college-degree applicable course work
Be eligible for English 100, as established by an assessment test or equivalent
Complete the honors application, including application form, statement of purpose, two letters of recommendation, unofficial transcripts, and signed Statement of Academic Integrity
Complete the matriculation process (orientation, testing, and advisement).

Students who do not meet admission requirements directly may submit an Appeal for Admission, which is reviewed on a case-by-case basis by an ad hoc committee organized by the Honors Coordinator.

Application instructions and forms are available online at www.miracosta.edu/honors .

Program Completion Requirements

For MiraCosta College Honors Scholars

Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25 in college degree applicable course work
Completion of five honors courses with a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or better in honors course work
Active involvement in HSP at MiraCosta College for a minimum of two semesters
Participation in 20 verified hours of honors activities
Responsible and ethical behavior upheld, as outlined in the Statement of Academic Integrity and MiraCosta College Standards of Student Conduct.

For UCLA TAP Certification and UC Irvine Priority Admission

Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.50 in college-degree applicable course work
Completion of 15 units of honors courses with a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or better
Enrollment in honors courses for two semesters at MiraCosta College
Education Plan established with the MiraCosta College Transfer Center
Responsible and ethical behavior upheld, as outlined in the Statement of Academic Integrity and MiraCosta College Standards of Student Conduct.

For a complete description of requirements for program admission, good standing, and program completion, contact the MiraCosta College Honors Office or visit the website.