The Honors Institute Certificate is your passport to a successful college career. Earning this certificate proves your academic abilities and provides you with the most beneficial Honors Institute experience.

Working towards the Honors Certificate challenges you to perform at your best. It is limited to students who earn a 3.5 or higher GPA, and requires the completion of 6 Honors classes (one of which must be IDH2121) for AA degree seeking students and 3 Honors classes for AS degree seeking students. Taking 6 Honors courses provides students with a stimulating and enriching GenEd background and helps prepare them for the challenges they will face when they transfer. Additionally, maintaining the standards of the Certificate program makes students eligible for Honors Term scholarships to support their studies at BCC (scholarship requires at least part-time enrollment, 3.5 GPA, and minimum of one Honors class).

The Honors Certificate opens up scholarship possibilities and is an excellent asset on your college resume. While it does not guarantee a transfer scholarship, since other factors such as your GPA are considered, the Honors Certificate may make you eligible for more scholarships at state universities. The Certificate may also be required for you to transfer into Honors programs as a junior at some four year universities. It is an important part of your overall student record which admission counselors will consider.

Decide early to work towards the Honors Certificate so that you will have time to take the 6 required Honors courses (one of which is IDH2121). Remember that (except for IDH2121) most Honors courses fulfill GenEd. requirements, so you should not have to take more than one extra course to meet the 6 course requirement. You will also need to graduate with a 3.5 or higher GPA. Most importantly, you must apply for Honors Graduation at the beginning of the year during which your graduation will take place. Without this form, the Honors Institute cannot prepare your certificate and cannot designate you as an Honors Institute graduate for commencement. Even students who have not earned the Honors Certificate must fill out this form. Deadlines are in early January and the "Request for Honors Graduation & University Preference Form" is available online.