WHAT IS THE HONORS PROGRAM?

The Butte College Honors Program is a selection of classes designed for students who are curious, self-motivated, love to read and write, and are looking for an active, challenging education experience. Classes focus on important texts and ideas in literature, philosophy, anthropology, art, history, Western and Global cultures, and other academic areas (including some new core-content offerings).

Honors classes tend to be smaller and more individualized than the ones you're used to. They're taught in seminar style rather than as lectures—and discussion, give-and-take, and closer student/teacher interaction are the top priority. Grades are based mostly on papers and participation, not on tests.

In recent years, Honors graduates have transferred to many prestigious universities, including UC Berkeley, UCLA, UC Davis, UC Santa Cruz, Mills College, Texas A&M, and University of Nevada, Reno, many with impressive scholarships.

You can take as many or as few of the classes as you wish—and you may participate without taking any more classes than you would otherwise. If you do want to receive an Honors Certificate of Achievement (including designation on your permanent academic record), you must complete at least 19 units from the Honors offerings and the one-unit final-project capstone class.

WHY SHOULD YOU DO IT?

Many students find the Honors Program their favorite part of the Butte College experience. Because the classes, like the program as a whole, are small and highly interactive, the students often wind up becoming good friends—a supportive network of people like you.

In addition to such intangibles, the program also offers several concrete benefits.

• All classes transfer directly to four-year colleges and universities in specific subject areas—not just as General Education credits Honors classes in core-content areas are open to Honors students only, meaning that you don't have to fight to get into impacted classes
• Honors classes develop and polish your reading, writing, and critical thinking skills
• The program prepares you for the academic rigor of a four-year college or university environment, increasing the likelihood of academic success after transfer
• The program gives you the foundation for graduating With Honors from the university you transfer to
• Participating in the program looks fantastic on your transcripts and your resume

HONORS COURSE OFFERINGS

Currently the Honors Program offers courses within the Honors Department as well as Honors- level courses within other departments on campus. Any course number followed by an "H" is an Honors-level course. Course offerings include HON 3, 4, & 6, as well as ANTH 2H, ANTH 4H, ART 2H, ART 4H, BIOL 9H, CMST 2H, ECON 20H, ENGL 53H

Three to four of these courses will be offered each semester. Once you have completed 18 Honors units, you are eligible to take HON 11, the 1-unit Honors Capstone course, which allows you to synthesize your learning in the program by creating a final project in conjunction with the Honors Coordinator. (HON 11 can also be taken after completing 15 Honors units, concurrently with the final 3 Honors units.)

CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENTS

Students who complete 19 units of Honors courses including the 1-unit capstone course (Honors 11) are awarded an Honors Certificate of Achievement, which appears on their transcripts. (Students who began the Honors Program prior to fall 2012, and who complete any four Honors courses and a transferable 4-unit science course (16 units total) are awarded a Certificate of Completion in Honors Studies.)

HOW DO YOU GET IN?

Qualifications for Admission

• You must have passed English 2 with a "B" or better—or be concurrently enrolled when you begin the program.
• Complete an Honors Program application (available in LRC 320 or downloadable here)
• Write a brief personal essay
• It is desirable that you obtain a letter of recommendation (even an email will work) from an instructor who knows you or someone else who can talk about your academic potential

Submit the completed application to: Secretary to the Honors Program, LRC 320 Butte College 3536 Butte Campus Dr. Oroville, CA 95965

If you have any questions or concerns or need further information at any point in the application process, feel free to contact the Coordinator of the Honors Program, Dr. Tracy Johnson (LRC 335), at johnsontr@butte.edu or 530.895.2291.