Academic Recognition

Honors Program

Overview

The Honors Program at South Suburban College provides unique educational opportunities for academically talented students. By emphasizing challenging intellectual content, Honors courses provide an enriching educational experience and enhance students' opportunities at transfer institutions.

Grading

Students enrolled in Honors courses are graded against norms established in regular courses. As a result, Honors students are not penalized for taking courses with other academically talented students.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet two of the following criteria. One must be from Group I; however, both may be from that Group:

Group I

High school GPA of 3.5
Upper 10% of high school graduating class
ACT of 25 or better
SAT of 1100 or better
SSC GPA of 3.5 (12 hours minimum of 100-level courses or above)
Placement test scores of 45 in Writing, 47 in Reading and Math 165 or higher placement
GED test score of 300 or better

Group II

Recommendation from SSC instructor
Recommendation from high school instructor
Creative/Visual Arts portfolio
Interview with Honors chairperson or representative

To remain in the Honors Program, students must maintain a 3.25 GPA.

Application

Application forms are available online or in Room 3223, the Counseling Center, the Honors/Phi Theta Kappa Center (Room 4255) or from the Coordinator of the Honors Program throughout the year. Applications are accepted at any time.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I qualify?

If you have attended SSC and have accumulated 12 semester hours of college-level credit with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or better, you qualify for membership in SSC's Honors Program. There are other ways to qualify. See the details on the Academic Recognition section of SSC's WebPage.

Why should I join?

First of all, because nothing bad will happen to you, and there is every likelihood that something good will happen. Second, because it's simple and free.

What 's the "something good" that will happen?

For starters, free tuition for any honors courses you take while at SSC. And free lunches each semester with fellow honors students, faculty, and staff. Don't forget the prestige of having "Honors Program Member" stamped on your transcript. And last but hardly least, there's the opportunity to take some truly thought-provoking courses, which have been specially developed by SSC faculty.

Are Honors courses more work?

Honors course work is indeed more challenging, but Honors courses are not merely more of the same work you would do in a non-honors course.

Will my GPA suffer?

No. Honors students are graded against the performance of the entire student body, not merely against other honors students. For example, an essay, which earned a "B" grade on an assignment in English 101 Honors, would have earned a "B" grade in a non-honors English 101 course.

How do I join?

Simply fill out an Honors application and submit it to the office indicated on the form. These applications are available from the Honors Coordinator, Dr. Steven Vivian, Room 3221; from Betty Myers, Room 3223; or from the brochure holder outside the Honors/Phi Theta Kappa Center, Room 4255.

Are the Honors Program and Phi Theta Kappa the same thing?

No. Phi Theta Kappa is an international Honor Society whose main function is to recognize student achievement. It requires a 3.5 GPA to join and a $60 membership fee ($30 fee if you are on financial aid). PTK members have many additional opportunities and benefits. Learn more about the college's Phi Theta Kappa chapter.

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Spring 2010 Honors Course Schedule:

Register early to ensure enrollment

Course	Title	Instructor	Meeting Times	Classroom
ENG 101 3WH	Composition & Rhetoric	Dr. Steven Vivian	Online
ENG 102 2H1	Composition & Research	TBA	11:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. Th	MA-3139
ENG 124 3WH	Introduction to Linguistics, Structure and Function of American English	Rob Bailey	11:00 - 11:50 a.m. M, W, & F	MA-3157
ENG 203 2H1	Introduction to British Literature II	Lynn Wollstadt	12:00 - 1:15 p.m. M & W	MA-3163
HFA 109 2H1	Introduction to Film History	John Geraci	11:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. Tu & Th	MA-LHB
HFA 201 2H1	Gen. Humanities I	Joan Beno	9:00 - 9:50 a.m. M,W, & F	MA-LHC
PHL 105 2H1	Logic	Dr. Herman Stark	7:00 - 9:45 p.m. M	MA-LHB
PSY 101 2H1	Introduction to Psychology	Dr. Michael Schnur	1:00 - 2:15 p.m. M & W	MA-3365
SPE 108 2H1	Oral Communication	John Geraci	9:00 - 9:50 a.m. M, W, & F	MA-3155

Phi Theta Kappa Recipients

Honors Faculty

All offices and extensions are at South Suburban College's Main Campus 15800 S. State Street, South Holland, IL 60473
(708) 596-2000

David Anderson
Math, Office 4148V, Ext. 2332

Rob Bailey
English, Office 3114, ext. 2460

Sandy Bein Mongillo
Communications, Office 3126, ext. 2368

Mary Beth Beno
Math, Office 4148, ext.2333

Patrick T. Deane
Business Law/Paralegal Studies, Office 3427, ext. 2538

John Geraci
Communications, Office L240, ext. 2479

G.A. Griffith
Biology, Office 4469, ext. 2251

Marianne Liaub
English, Office 3132, ext. 2327

Bill Naegele
Mathematics, Office 4148, ext. 2409

Dr. Michael Schnur
Counseling, Office 2350, ext. 2393

Dr. Herman Stark
Philosophy, Office 3146, ext. 2547

Dr. Steven D. Vivian
English, Office 3221, ext. 2323

Jamie Welling
Biology, Office 4469, ext. 2250

Lynn Wollstadt
English, Office 3223, ext. 2047

The Honors Program is most ably assisted by:
Betty Myers, Honors Program clerical assistant, Office 3223, ext. 2468

Honors Program Coordinator:
Dr. Steven D. Vivian, English, Office 3221, ext. 2323

Questions about Honors? sschonors@hotmail.com

Main Number: 708.596.2000 | SSC Student Help Center: 708.210.5718