Honors Certificate

Honors Certificate

Program Information

The Central Lakes College (CLC) Honors Program emphasizes inquiry, discourse, application, and leadership. Honors courses feature small, transformative, seminar-style classes that embrace the content and feature close working relationships with expert instructors. Throughout the program, students explore, aspire, and lead and learn how to leverage their knowledge to make positive changes in the world around them. In addition to a wide selection of classes, students who participate in the Honors Program enjoy extra-curricular activities, social gatherings, out-of-class experiences, and enhanced relationships with faculty, staff, and administrators. Students who complete the certificate requirements also receive a medallion to wear at commencement as part of their regalia. Students who complete at least six credits of Honors courses and CCST Honors Leadership are awarded a Leadership Pin at graduation.

Program Outcomes

Graduates will be able to:

  • Examine and discuss course subject matter using independent and collaborative inquiry processes;
  • Lead group activities, initiatives, and research projects to enhance local and extended communities;
  • Articulate innovative solutions to systemic inequities and worldwide concerns;
  • Recognize evolving personal worldviews through the pursuit of insight into U.S. and global cultures;
  • Acquire and model excellent communication, critical thinking, and community engagement skills; and
  • Represent, inhabit, and advocate for positive change, informed perspectives, and global citizenship.

Special Program Requirements

  • 12 credits of Honors courses, and
  • CCST 1535 Honors Leadership Development, and
  • 3.25 cumulative GPA, and
  • Students must complete 25% of their requirements at Central Lakes College.

The Honors Certificate may be pursued independently as a stand-alone program; however, most students pair the certificate program with an Associate Degree. See an academic advisor for help with selecting academic programs or applying to graduate.

Honors Program Medallions are awarded to graduates who meet the requirements above each spring. Leadership Pins are awarded to graduating with at least 6 credits of Honors courses and CCST 1535: Honors Leadership Development.

Admissions

For more information about signing up for courses, contact an advisor or admission representative via email at askclc@clcmn.edu or via phone at (218) 855-8031. For information about the Honors Program or specific courses, contact the Honors Program Coordinator via email at honors@clcmn.edu

Honors Program FAQ

Are Honors courses “harder?”
Honors courses share similar course goals to their non-Honors counterparts so much of the course content is the same and not “harder.” At the same time, Honors courses achieve these goals differently and may include out-of-class learning experiences, original source material, community engagement, and/or real-world leadership opportunities. Ultimately, Honors courses offer an engaging, innovative, and inspirational learning environment to students who are willing to challenge themselves.

How will Honors courses change my GPA?
Honors courses often result in a higher GPA as students are more likely to succeed when class sizes are small and they can work more closely with their instructors. Honors courses’ GPA is not weighted in any way, however, so a grade in  Honors courses counts the same way as non-Honors courses.

Is there an application or application fee?
There is no application or fee for Honors courses or the Honors Program. Honors courses are open to all students who meet the eligibility requirements.

Are Honors courses more expensive than non-honors courses?
Honors courses share the same tuition rate as non-Honors courses, but a few may carry small fees to help offset the cost of the out-of-class learning experiences (see below).

What “out-of-class” learning experiences do students experience?
Currently, several Honors courses include out-of-class experiences. For example, Honors Economics students attend the national Nobel Conference at Gustavus Adolphus College; Honors Theatre students attend live shows in theaters throughout the state of Minnesota, many at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis; Honors Literature students get to meet poets visiting the college for the Verse Like Water program; and Honors Leadership Development students work with community and college leaders on service learning projects.

How many Honors courses can I take?
Honors courses are scheduled so that they occur at different times and days, and there is no limit on how many you can take at one time. Additionally, many students exceed the minimum credits required by the program as they enjoy the learning environment.

Are there scholarships available?
Students taking Honors courses are eligible for scholarships through the CLC Foundation. Also, most students taking Honors courses are also eligible for Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) membership, which has its own scholarships.

How does the Honors Program celebrate?
Every fall, in coordination with Phi Theta Kappa, the Honors Program hosts a Fall Reception where students, faculty, and administrators gather and share. In the spring students enrolled in Honors courses gather to reflect on their accomplishments and plan for the future at the Honors Program Spring Celebration. Students who have completed the requirements are also awarded with the Honors Program Medallion at this time.  The medallion becomes an official part of students’ authorized commencement regalia.

Where should I start?
CCST 1535: Honors Leadership Development is a great place to begin, and it’s the only required course for the Honors Program. Honors Leadership Development also counts as a Student Success course requirement for students pursing an A.A. and offers students an early opportunity to develop their individual voice and grow their personal agency.

Program Course Requirements

CCST 1535 Honors Leadership Development, 3 cr
Any additional Honors courses, 12 credits

GRADUATION REQUIREMENT – 15 CREDITS

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