Honors Program
Evolve from a High-Achieving Student to an Honors Scholar
The Berkeley College Honors Program is a credit-bearing academic program within the Division of General Education available to eligible high-achieving, full-time applicants seeking associate's or bachelor's degrees.
New Honors learning communities are forming every fall term.
Accepted Honors students sign an Honors Acknowledgment indicating that they will join an Honors Learning Community of 15-20 students at designated campus locations and online, pass consecutive Honors seminars, document 30 or more hours of community service each year, write a research paper, and showcase that research at the annual spring Honors Scholars Research Symposium, and maintain a B (3.0) or better cumulative GPA until graduation.
Honors students, who meet these academic requirements and finish their degree program, will earn a special honor cord for Commencement, be recognized as an Honors Scholar on all college program documents/transcripts, and receive the title of "Honors Scholar" on their diploma.
Be eligible
Domestic high school applicants should consult with their Admissions Director before applying to our First-Year Honors Program. Domestic high school students must have a high school cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher to enroll in the First-Year Honors Program.
International high school applicants should consult with their Admissions Director before applying to our First-Year Honors Program. International high school students must have a high school cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher to enroll in the First-Year Honors Program.
Full-time enrollment in an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree program is required for all applicants whether domestic or international (students enrolled in a degree program within the School of Health Studies are not eligible to apply or participate in the Honors program).
Transfer students or current Berkeley College students are encouraged to apply to our Continuing-Transfer Honors Program. Potential Domestic Continuing-Transfer Applicants must have a college cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher. Potential International Continuing-Transfer Applicants must have a college cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. Applicants should consult with their Berkeley College Academic Advisor before applying to determine their eligibility based on degree program credit-space available in general education courses, expected graduation date, and cumulative GPA.
Belong to a learning community
Accepted Honors applicants will be assigned to a learning community of 15-20 Honors students at one of the following designated locations - NYC Midtown, Woodbridge, Woodland Park, or Online. These learning communities remain together for three consecutive terms.
Be enrolled in Honors Seminars - Earn General Education credits
Honors seminars are currently being offered in three different modalities - on-site, hybrid, or online. Seminar days and times may also vary by campus location. Only Academic Advisors can enroll Honors students into Honors seminars. Honors seminars must be passed to remain in good academic standing in the Honors Program. These seminars fulfill general education core requirements or electives within most degree programs.
Associate's degree-seeking students must pass 3 consecutive Honors seminars worth nine general education credits and Bachelor's degree-seeking students must pass 6 consecutive Honors seminars worth 18 general education credits. Honors seminars fulfill both lower and upper-level general education requirements and free electives without any additional cost or extra time to complete the degree.
Honors seminars are special topic seminars that focus primarily on a theme (e.g., social justice) or advanced research/writing. Honors seminars are designed to develop students' confidence and critical thinking, research, writing, and oral presentation skills. Below are the Honors seminars:
Program Theme: Social Justice
- HON1105 Honors Writing and Research - Fall
- HON2205 Honors Writing Through Literature - Winter
- HON2210 Pre-Honors Seminar - Spring - Social Justice Poster presentation at the Honors Symposium
- HON3310 Honors Seminar - Fall
- HON4400 Advanced Honors Research - Winter
- HON4410 Directed Honors Research - Spring - Honors Thesis presentation at the Honors Symposium
Be a Scholar at the Spring Symposium
Every spring, Honors students in HON2210 and HON4410 showcase their research papers at the annual spring Honors Scholars Research Symposium (“Honors Symposium”) in front of the Berkeley College community either virtually or on site. Students present on topics related to social justice (HON2210) or on current issues within their academic majors as honors thesis topics (HON4410). This is the final academic requirement for first-year and continuing-transfer students. Academic and community service award-winners are also recognized at the Symposium.
Be engaged in community service
Outside of class, Honors students must complete 10 or more hours of community service per term while enrolled in an Honors seminar or 30 total hours across three terms. Honors students can complete community service onsite or virtually, on-campus or in their local community. Honors students log their hours by submitting a Community Service Verification eForm after each service activity.
Benefits of participating:
- Distinctive academic recognition as an "Honors Scholar" on diploma and transcript
- Involvement in a learning community with other high-achieving students across the system
- Limited enrollment facilitates active participation and close relationships with peers and faculty
- Faculty and Peer Mentoring
- Preparation for higher-level learning and challenges
- Opportunity to serve the Berkeley College campuses and community as a student leader
- Chance to present an honors thesis or poster to the Berkeley community
- Recognition at Honors Scholars Research Symposium upon program conclusion
- Earn an Honors Program cord to be worn at graduation
Admissions Process for Fall First-Year Cohort
Every fall, Berkeley College invites high school graduates from the most recent academic year to apply for admission to the Honors Program. Students are only admitted during the fall semester. Students may apply online or through Admissions. The Admissions Department will identify potential candidates for the Honors Program. Only incoming high school graduates from the most recent academic year seeking Associate's or Bachelor’s degrees will be considered. Students will be evaluated against a set of criteria, including, but not limited to a minimum high school GPA of 3.5.
To apply, candidates must:
- Complete and submit an Honors Program application (eForm)
- Submit an unofficial and clear transcript including cumGPA and credits
- One or more letters of recommendation (from a teacher, coach, supervisor, advisor, counselor, etc)
- Upload/Attach a 500-word Essay of Your Choice OR select and answer one of the following essays in the eForm:
- Pick a flavor: There are 40 varieties of Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream sold in the United States. Select and discuss a flavor from this brand or any other kind that best describes your life and personality.
- Discuss three leaders, creators, writers, or artists who have influenced or inspired you in your life.
- What is your favorite quote and what does it mean to you? How has this quote shaped who you are today?
The applications will be sent to the Honors Admissions Committee for consideration. No applications will be accepted after June 1st. The admissions process is held from September to May.
The Honors Admissions Committee consists of three faculty members. Upon review of the student’s application, a personal interview may be requested. Students not admitted into the first-year cohort Honors Program will be placed on a waiting list and considered for the subsequent fall continuing student learning community.
Admissions Process for Fall Continuing-Transfer Cohort
Who is eligible to apply?
- Continuing or transfer students seeking Bachelor's degrees
- Students must have earned at least 18 credits by the Fall start of the program and verify credit status and expected graduation date with academic advisement
- Students must be able to participate in learning communities at either the New York City, Online, Woodland Park, or Woodbridge campuses. Days and times may vary by campus.
- A cumulative GPA of at least 3.50 is required
Candidates will be asked to complete an application (eForm) and submit attachments consisting of the following, but not limited to:
- Submit an unofficial and clear transcript including cumGPA and credits
- Upload/Attach a 500-word Essay of Your Choice OR select and answer one of the following essays in the eForm:
- Pick a flavor: There are 40 varieties of Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream sold in the United States. Select and discuss a flavor from this brand or any other kind that best describes your life and personality.
- Discuss three leaders, creators, writers, or artists who have influenced or inspired you in your life.
- What is your favorite quote and what does it mean to you? How has this quote shaped who you are today?
- Evidence of relevant past academic achievements
- Resume
- One or more letters of recommendation (Two are preferred) from a teacher, supervisor, or staff member (advisor, counselor, etc).
- A letter from your academic advisor verifying credit eligibility
The applications will be sent to the Honors Admissions Committee for consideration. No applications will be accepted after July 1 for a fall start. The admissions process is held from September to June.
The Honors Admissions Committee consists of three faculty members. Upon review of the student’s application, a personal interview may be requested.
Admissions Process for International First-Year Students Cohort
Every fall, Berkeley College invites international first-year students to apply for admission to the Honors Program. International students are only admitted during the fall semester. Students may apply online or through International Admissions. Learning communities will meet at the New York City or Online campus. The International Admissions Department will identify potential candidates for the Honors Program. Only incoming first-year students seeking Associate's or Bachelor’s degrees will be considered. Students will be evaluated against a set of criteria, including, but not limited to a minimum high school GPA of 3.0. The minimum GPA requirement is waived for adult students.
To apply, candidates must:
- Complete and submit an Honors Program application (eForm)
- Submit an unofficial and clear transcript including cumGPA and credits
- One or more letters of recommendation (from a teacher, coach, supervisor, advisor, counselor, etc)
- Upload/Attach a 500-word Essay of Your Choice OR select and answer one of the following essays in the eForm:
- Pick a flavor: There are 40 varieties of Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream sold in the United States. Select and discuss a flavor from this brand or any other kind that best describes your life and personality.
- Discuss three leaders, creators, writers, or artists who have influenced or inspired you in your life.
- What is your favorite quote and what does it mean to you? How has this quote shaped who you are today?
The applications will be sent to the Honors Admissions Committee for consideration. No applications will be accepted after August 1st. The admissions process is held from September to July. The Honors Admissions Committee consists of three faculty members. Upon review of the student’s application, a personal interview may be requested. Students not admitted into the first-year cohort Honors Program will be placed on a waiting list and considered for the subsequent fall continuing student learning community.
Goals
The Berkeley College Honors Program offers a voluntary and selective one- or two-year special academic experience within the Division of General Education designed to help Honors students:
- Remain consecutively enrolled at the College.
- Feel engaged and connected with the College.
- Improve their self-confidence, communication skills, & professionalism.
- Enhance their knowledge of current social justice issues.
- Demonstrate stronger information literacy, research, and critical thinking skills.
- Become more civically-engaged through community service activities.
- Complete their Associate and Bachelor’s degree programs with distinction as “Honors Scholars.”
- Pursue graduate degrees and other post-degree training.
Director
Patricia Cowan
Director, Honors Program
44 Rifle Camp Road
Woodland Park, NJ 07424
PCO@BerkeleyCollege.edu
