Honors Program
The SCC Honors Program is dedicated to providing an enriched learning environment for high academic achievers so that they may fulfill themselves personally and acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed at the Associate degree or Baccalaureate degree level. The Honors Program encourages critical thinking, sound decision-making, cultural awareness, and effective communication skills through instructional modes that foster independence and responsibility.
Your Best Transfer Opportunity
- Smaller classes
- Innovative instruction
- Enriched environment
- Unique learning community Research Opportunities
- Earning a special honors designation on your transcript
- Transfer agreements with a variety of Universities
- Pre-selection for Honors classes
- Specialized Honors Counseling
- Access to Honors Scholarships
- Designation on your transcript as having completed the program
- Designation on your transcript and diploma as a President's Scholar if you meet the criteria.
- Accumulation of honors credits to graduate as a President's Scholar and to receive benefits from four-year institutions
- Letters of recommendation from the Honors Program faculty
- Honors Transfer Agreements withfour-year institutions
- The support of a learning community of students with shared goals, attitudes, and motivation
- Participation in the annual Honors Alliance Research Symposium
- To receive Honors Program credit for all Honors courses taken prior to enrollment in the Honors Program
- Pre-counseling for Honors classes
Requirements to enroll in an Honors class
Regularly admitted students who meet the course prerequisites may take an Honors class.
Enrollment in an Honors class does not require membership in the Honors Program. Students
must be free of active disciplinary action reports.
First-time freshmen need to bring a high school transcript to the Counseling Department
to receive prerequisite clearance prior to enrolling in an Honors class. Students
who completed college work while in high school need to use the college GPA and units.
Continuing College students need a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA from all institutions
attended. Transfer students will need college transcripts from all previous institutions
as well as a prerequisite clearance .
Requirements to join the Honors Program
Submit an Honors Program application and requested documentation to Admissions and
Records during the fall or spring semester. Students must be free of active disciplinary
action reports.
Freshmen
First-time freshmen who graduated from high school with a minimum 3.0 GPA may join
the program during their first semester at SCC. High School Proficiency cannot be
used. Official high school transcripts are required.
May not be involved in or found at fault in any disciplinary action as outlined in
the SCC catalog.
Meet with a Counselor once per semester for Comprehensive Educational Plan prior
to Pre-Selection of Honors courses.
Continuing College students:
Students need a cumulative 3.0 GPA or higher in 6 or more units from all colleges
attended.
Have no grade lower than a "C" in any college-level Honors class.
Meet with a Counselor once per semester for Comprehensive Educational Plan prior to
Pre-Selection of Honors courses.
May not be involved in or found at fault in any disciplinary action as outlined in
the SCC catalog.
Special Admit students: Current high school students are not eligible to join the
Honors Program. GPA in college units completed while in high school could affect future
ability to enroll in honors classes and the Honors Program.
Requirements to continue in the Honors Program
Maintain a cumulative 3.0 GPA or higher.
Earn grades of "C" or above in all Honors classes.
Earn grades of "C" or above in all college-level classes while in the program.
Meet with a Counselor once per semester for Comprehensive Educational Plan prior to
Pre-Selection of Honors courses.
Remain free of any disciplinary action as outlined in the SCC catalog.
Requirements to complete the Honors Program
Submit the Honors Program Completion Petition to Admissions and Records (E-101 or
email). The petition and deadlines are available on the Honors Program website: www.sccollege.edu/honors.
Maintain a cumulative 3.0 GPA in all college units.
Complete Honors Program unit and residency requirements:
Complete a minimum of 15 honors units with a minimum of 1 course from each category
listed below:
- Honors Educational Category 1: English, Communication, Arts and Humanities
- Honors Educational Category 2: Mathematics, Physical and Biological Sciences
- Honors Educational Category 3: Social and Behavioral Sciences
OR
Completion of 18 honors units from any category.
12 of the 15/18 units must be completed at Santiago Canyon College.
12 of the 15/18 units must be completed after acceptance to the program.
A single course may not meet more than one Honors Educational Category. In addition
to the Honors Educational Category requirements (1-3), additional Honors units will
be needed to fulfill the 15 unit requirement.
Earn grades of "C" or above in all college units while in the program. Honors courses
must be taken for letter grade (P/NP grades are excluded).
Events, Deadlines, & Announcements
Honors Application - Fall/Spring Deadline
When: The deadline is October 15 for the Fall and March 15 for the Spring. Earlier the better!
Where: Turn applications in to Admissions and Records (E -101) or email to admissions@sccollege.edu.
Why: Eligibility to pre-select Honors courses for next semester and communication with
Counselor/Co-Coordinators.
HTCC Research Conference
When: Early Spring
Where: University of California, Irvine
Why: Students present original research. Some scholarship opportunities available.
https://www.honorstransfercouncil.org/the-conference-1
| Front Desk | |
|---|---|
| Office: | H-209 |
| Phone: | (714) 628-4799 |
| Honors Program Coordinators | |
|---|---|
| Tiffany Gause (Coordinator) | |
| Office: | H-314 (or Honors Office H-209-2) |
| Phone: | (714) 628-4870 |
| E-mail (preferred): | Gause_Tiffany@sccollege.edu |
| Lacy Hedenberg (Coordinator/Counselor) | |
| Office: | D-106 (or Honors Office H-209-1) |
| Phone: | (714) 628-4756 |
| Appointment Line: | (714) 628-4800 |
| E-mail (preferred): |
Hedenberg_Lacy@sccollege.edu |
What Do Honors Students Say About The Honors Program?
"The small Honors classes let me get a 'hands-on' learning experience. The atmosphere
in the classes is more intimate--the students want to come to class to learn, not
because they have to." Karin Gentry
"The Honors courses at SCC build relationships among students. The smaller classes
allow students to better know and relate to each other in discussion." Ryan Hill
"The Honors classes aren't necessarily more difficult; they're just different. It
might be difficult to get used to the format of learning 'on your own' instead of
taking notes from a lecture, but the fact that you are responsible for your own learning
gets you more involved." Summer Ardizzone
"The discussion-based classroom structure promotes free thinking much more than sitting
and listening to a stale lecture. Your classmates become more than faces; I actually
know almost everyone's name in my class." Geneva Woznicki
"I enjoy the small size, intimate atmosphere, and shared excitement about subjects."
Maureen Curry
"The Honors Program is a unique experience for anyone interested in learning because
everyone, including the professors, can relate on the same level of interest and dedication."
Jennifer Hendricks
"Honors Program classes are the most comprehensive way that I've experienced in gaining
knowledge. The small classes lend to an intimate setting, allowing group participation
and a better understanding of the subject and of fellow students and mentors." Mark
McKnight
"The smaller classes are great and allow for necessary discussion. People shouldn't
be hesitant to take a class just because it is Honors. This class setting would be
beneficial for all students, especially for ones who feel school is a drill." Patricia
Bullock
"You should really give them a chance. It is a completely different experience from
non-honors classes in that they are more personal and enriching because you know everyone
there wants to learn too." Christina Sepulveda
UCLA Transfer Alliance Program
The UCLA Transfer Alliance Program allows you to enhance your ability to transfer to UCLA at the junior level from a participating California Community College. Students are certified by the honors program counselor/coordinator after completing the honors or scholars program at a participating community college. Applicants are given priority consideration for admission to majors in the College, as well as the Public Affairs and Education and Social Transformation majors at UCLA.
For additional information about the programs of study available, please review the majors offered by the College.
UCI Honors to Honors
Eligible students are offered admission to UCI and invited to join the Campuswide Honors Collegium. Students also receive consideration for merit-based scholarships.
Honors Program Transfer Agreements
Students who successfully complete the Honors Program at Santiago Canyon College are eligible for the Transfer Agreements with a variety of four-year institutions. These agreements vary from institution to institution. Click on The Honors Transfer Council of California (HTCC) to view and compare the guaranteed or preferential considerations offered by four year institutions:
Link to The Honors Transfer Council of California (HTCC) homepage:
December 2025 - Submit HTCC INTENT to TRANSFER FORM
February 2026 - Meet with Honors Counselor for TAP Certification Appointment