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Degree Programs > Arts & Sciences > Honors Education (Special Programs)

Honors Education (Special Programs)

Honors Education Offers Recognition and Enriched College Experiences

Honors Education is designed to recognize high-achieving students and to offer them opportunities that enrich their college experience. There are two distinct parts of Honors Education: The Honors Curriculum Program and Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society of the Two-Year College. The eligibility requirements are the same for both programs. Students receive letters of invitation when they have completed 12 or more credits at 100-level or above and they have attained a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or above. Students are encouraged to take advantage of both facets as they provide different experiences.

The Honors Curriculum Program allows academically excellent students to enroll in honors classes at KCC. There are two different types of honors classes: (1) Small seminar classes in which all students are participants in the Honors Curriculum Program. The teaching style and course materials may be more individual than in a regular class. (2) Honors classes within regular classes in which honor students complete the regular class with the other students, and in addition, they work with the instructor to design and complete an honors component. The students attend the regular class and meet with the instructor in completing honors projects. All honors classes are writing intensive. Upon completion of degrees, honor students who have completed two honors classes and maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or above will attain the distinction of Kapi`olani Scholar. This honor is indicated on students' transcripts.

Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society offers academically excellent students international recognition and opportunities to develop records of leadership and service to the College and the community. The society is built on four hallmarks: leadership, scholarship, service and fellowship. KCC's chapter, Alpha Kappa Psi, is an active chapter that organizes many campus-wide activities and events. The chapter participates in many regional events with other chapters in the Pacific Region, and students regularly travel to international society events. The chapter, individual members, and officers have won many awards at the international and regional levels. By participating in the society and its programs, students receive additional recognition and develop resumes that lead to more successful applications for scholarships, university transfers, and employment. Phi Theta Kappa offers lifetime membership and benefits including scholarship opportunities, discounts, and references. Upon completion of degrees, Phi Theta Kappans receive special seals for their diplomas, and students are distinguished at commencement as they wear Phi Theta Kappa stoles and tassels with their graduation regalia.

Students can attest to the benefits of Honors Education at KCC.

Honors Curriculum Program:
"The Honors Curriculum Program has allowed me to go beyond the "normal" boundaries of a course. I was fortunate enough to experience the two different types of Honor classes offered to students. The first option allowed me to be in a small class. The size of the class gave students the opportunity to interact with the instructor on a more personally and intimate level. It also allowed our class to travel outside of the classroom. Sometimes we held classes outside under the trees!

The second option gave me the opportunity to develop and incorporate what I wanted to explore in the course. I was able to work with the instructor and develop what I wanted to do with the stories we wrote for our class. In order to earn honors credit, another honors student and I learned how to create a zine on the Internet. We formatted the stories and posted them in the zine for other KCC students to access."

Phi Theta Kappa:
"Phi Theta Kappa has been more beneficial than I could ever imagine! Membership in the Society has opened up many opportunities in leadership and service for me. It greatly helped me develop my resume and definitely the skills that future employers look for. As an officer of the executive board, I also had the opportunity to travel to the mainland for the first time! The friendships I made within the local Hawaii chapters and with the chapters on the mainland are very valuable to me. If you ever have the opportunity to attend the international convention, please do so! You'll definitely have one of the best experiences of a lifetime!"

Sherie Char
Past president of Alpha Kappa Psi Chapter and an Honors Student who graduated as a Kapi'olani Scholar

"Through Phi Theta Kappa I learned how to win scholarships. As editor of the Alpha Kappa Psi newsletter, I developed a creative writing collaboration with another Phi Theta Kappan. Four years later we still support each other in our writing projects and are great friends."

Annette Sacksteder
Past corresponding secretary of Alpha Kappa Psi Chapter and multiple scholarship winner

Links:
Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society website
http://www.ptk.org/

Alpha Kappa Psi Chapter website:
http://www.kcc.hawaii.edu/~ptk/