Current Students | Advising | LSCS Honors Programs | Office of Honors Programs |

Honors Program FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions: Honors Classes and Contracts

Q. What are the deadlines for applying to take an Honors Class?

A. We accept applications on a rolling basis which means that we accept them at any time in the semester. It takes about a month to process the application and to notify you whether you have been accepted into the program. This is important to remember if you want to register for Honors classes in the term after you have applied to the program. Only students who are members in good standing in the Honors Program may register for Honors classes, so be sure to allow enough time for the application to be processed before registration.

Q. What are the requirements for acceptance?

A. Students who have completed 0-8 hours of college-level courses must meet one of the following:

• Top 10% of your high school graduating class*
• A high school GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale*
• 1100 or higher on the SAT*
• 26 or higher combined score on the ACT*
  
  * Please include a copy of your high school transcript,
  SAT scores and ACT scores as appropriate.

Students who have completed at least 9 hours of college-level courses must meet the following:

• A college GPA of 3.25 or higher on a 4.0 scale
  

Q. What are the benefits if accepted?

A. The benefits of Honors classes are many – and each student will find something unique that appeals to him/her. For example, many students find that the dynamic nature of the courses and the challenge inherent in them are the biggest benefit. Some students are looking for a “leg up” when transferring to another college/university. All students will agree that the close mentoring by professors, early registration for CFC classes, the ability to complete specialized study, and opportunities for travel and presenting offered by the Honors program are reason enough to join.

Q. How many classes are required each semester?

A. The easy answer is “none.” Students are encouraged to monitor their own schedules and abilities. Some terms, you might take 2 Honors classes; other semesters you might not take any. There is no maximum number of classes per semester BUT you must take at least 1 class or contract within 2 years of joining or you’ll be put on probation.

Q. What is probation?

A. Probation with the Honors Program IS NOT the same as Academic Probation with the College. A student can be placed on probation with the Honors Program if his/her GPA falls below at 3.25 or if he/she fails to take at least 1 Honors class/contract with in 2 years of joining.

Q. What is an Honors Contract?

A. Often, Honors students need classes to meet graduation requirements that aren’t regularly offered as Honors sections. If a course is eligible, students have the option to take a traditional, non-Honors course and to earn Honors credit for it by individually contracting with the instructor of that section of the course to add an Honors Project to the existing course work. Called “Honors by Contract,” students and faculty partner to create an experience that provides an equivalent experience to that of a student taking an Honors course.

At LSC-CyFair, we believe that an essential part of the Honors experience is being in classes with other Honors students because of the increased opportunities to exchange ideas and to create community. Honors by Contract often doesn’t offer students the same level of interaction with others and are thus not available for all classes. Students CAN contract for a class which

• Is NOT regularly offered as a Honors section
• Is being taught by a professor who is approved by the Honors Council to teach Honors sections

For questions about a class, please contact the Honors Program Director or see page 7 of the student handbook.

Q. Why wasn’t my Honors Contract approved?

A. Contracts aren’t approved for many reasons. When consideration is made in deciding whether a class is eligible for a contract:

1. The class must meet the criteria above.
2. The professor must meet the criteria above.
3. The student must be a member of the Honors Program.
4. The professor in the class must agree to offer the contract. Faculty are always given the option to accept or not, and some elect not to accept the contract. Remember, this isn’t personal. It isn’t because they don’t want you to have the credit! Professors are busy people, and an Honors Contract is a lot of work for them.

If your contract isn’t accepted, we will be happy to work with you to find another section that might be eligible for contracts or to help you plan for the following semester to get a different contract.

Q. If I’m dropped from the program can I reapply when I’m eligible to join again?

A. Yes!