what is an honors course independent study

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What are Honors courses?

What are Honors Courses? Honors courses generally refer to exclusive, higher-level classes that proceed at a faster pace and cover more material than regular classes. Honors classes are usually reserved for talented high school students who excel in certain subjects.

Is an Honors Program right for You?

So if you aren’t ready to take on a heavier workload—or if you’re not great at juggling multiple projects at once—an honors program may not be the best fit for you. We’ve mentioned several perks of being an honors college student, like priority registration, select student housing, smaller class sizes, and special on-campus facilities.

What is the difference between honors and AP classes?

The levels of rigor for honors and AP courses drastically vary by state and by school. Some factors that contribute to the academic variation and class outcomes include the faculty, students, and geographic area. The primary difference between honors and AP is that AP courses result in college credit.

What are the benefits of Honors College?

Here are some unique opportunities that you can find at honors colleges and programs across the nation: Courses with more rigorous and/or specialized curriculum that are exclusively open to honors college students Smaller class sizes that can be conducted seminar-style, allowing students to interact more meaningfully

What does it mean when a class is independent study?

Independent study is an alternative education program that addresses individual student needs and learning styles. The model allows students to complete their academics outside the traditional classroom setting.

What does it mean to take a course with honors?

The term honors course is a common label applied to courses, predominantly at the high school level, that are considered to be more academically challenging and prestigious.

Are independent study courses graded?

Independent study courses are graded CR/NC. Work of at least "B" quality is required to earn a mark of Credit.

Are independent study courses hard?

Taking an independent study can be more difficult than a traditional course because you have to keep yourself on track. While you will have an adviser to supervise the course, you will be the one in charge of making sure you are completing enough work; there will be no teacher to give you assignments every day.

Are honors classes worth it?

Why Honors Courses Are Worth It. Participating in honors-level programs clearly demonstrates to colleges your academic "chops." The classes proceed at a faster pace and cover material in more depth than regular classes.

Do honors classes boost your GPA?

Yes. Honors classes often boost your GPA by 0.5 points. Finishing with a 3.5 GPA in an honors course could equate to a 4.0 GPA in a regular course.

Is independent study a good option?

Independent study can be a great option for some pupils; however, it may not be the right option for every pupil who is not thriving in a regular classroom setting. Some pupils might be better served in an educational option that is classroom-based and offers a smaller learning environment and more individualization.

Why is an independent study considered to?

Independent study allows you to learn about a subject that's unavailable in your school's established curriculum or about a topic you would like to explore in greater depth. You create your course, determine what you study, and then work one-on-one with a faculty member to earn academic credit.

Does independent study look good for grad school?

If you're interested in gaining course credit while your own research, AND gaining an abundance of experience, you should complete an independent study! An independent study is an opportunity that allows you to gain course credit while exploring your own personal interests on a deeper level.

What does an independent study look like?

Independent study is a form of educational activity undertaken by an individual student with little to no supervision. A student and their professor will generally agree upon a topic for the student to research with minimal instruction and guidance from the professor for an agreed upon number of academic credits.

How much time should you allow for independent study?

Self-managed independent study taught study: 30 hours (roughly 2–3 hours a week) self-managed directed study: 70 hours, including around 40 hours working on assessment tasks (roughly 4–5 hours a week) self-managed independent study: 50 hours (roughly 3–4 hours a week)

What are the requirements for independent study?

Participating in Independent Study Participation in independent study must always be the choice of the pupil, parent, guardian, or caregiver. LEAs shall not require or otherwise obligate the pupil's participation in an independent study program.

What is Honors Independent Study?

Departmental Honors Independent Study courses are registered under the offering instructor's home Department. Alternately, students have the option of doing an interdisciplinary Honors Independent Study, which combines topics from more than one area of study. Interdisciplinary Honors Independent Study courses are registered as "HONORS."

How many hours of honors independent study per week?

Honors Independent Studies are expected to be as rigorous as regular Honors courses and to carry a workload equivalent to three hours per credit per week. An Honors Independent Study course of any type must involve frequent interaction between the instructor/mentor and the student. This mentoring component should consist of at least a half hour of one-on-one time per week on average over the semester, and needs to be specified on the Honors Independent Study proposal.

What is an honors colloquium?

A 1-credit Honors colloquium is an enrichment of an existing non-honors course and should be more than simply “read an extra book” or “write an extra paper.” It involves a dialogue between motivated students and the instructor that either examines in greater detail the topics covered in the two- or three-credit graded course with which it is associated, or reaches beyond the scope of that course by exploring topics not discussed in the larger section. This dialogue should take the form of hour-long (or more, if desired) weekly or biweekly discussions or tutorials, depending on enrollment. In addition, one or more of the following options might be incorporated to enrich the experience:

What is discipline honors?

Disciplinary Honors courses are an integral part of every Honors College student's experience, providing in-depth study within the major and building close relationships with instructors in the discipline who have the opportunity to work closely with bright, eager students at the early stages of their academic careers.

How many credits are in an enrichment honors course?

An enriched Honors course carries 3 or 4 credits and has a maximum of 25 students in order to provide an environment conducive significant in-class interactions involving discussions and presentations. There should be a significant writing component, preferably with the instructor providing feedback on students’ mid-process drafts of any high-stakes paper, such as a literature review or a final paper.

What is the standard method for wrapping up an honors independent study?

A written document (formal paper with a bibliography, journal, or composition) is the standard method for wrapping up an Honors Independent Study. Discuss the proposed length with your sponsor and note that in your proposal.

Is ISH registration online?

ISH registration is online via CHC PATHS and will include your responses to the Proposal questions noted below. You are encouraged to draft your responses in MS Word prior to initiating the online contract. This submission process PDF document details what the process looks like on CHC PATHS.

What is college honors?

College honors programs strive to create an open atmosphere of student engagement that emphasizes diverse thinking, small class sizes, interdisciplinary course work, and more student-professor engagement.

Why do high schoolers take honors classes?

Passing an honors class is an excellent way for high school students to demonstrate their academic competency and discipline to college admissions boards.

What is the difference between honors and AP?

The primary difference between honors and AP is that AP courses result in college credit. In order to receive college credit for a completed AP course, the high school student must pass the AP exam with a score of three or higher. Most colleges require a score of at least four, with a maximum score of five.

What is a regular class in high school called?

These classes are also called standard, on-level, and college prep classes. They meet all the state requirements and are taught at a level designed for typical college-bound students. Honors classes are a step above regular classes.

Why do you need honors on your transcript?

On your high school transcript, honors courses can help you when it comes to competitive programs with limited spots available. They can give you an edge over other applicants who have not completed the same rigorous coursework.

What does a B in honors class mean?

Getting a B in an honors class shows you can handle the rigors of more demanding coursework.

How to be successful in honors?

In general, the skills needed to be successful at higher-level honors courses include: Develop excellent time-management skills. Start experimenting with different note-taking skills. Hone your organizational skills.

What is honors independent study?

Honors Independent Study comes in two formats designated by HI and ISH. If a non-honors university course you wish to take does not offer a regularly scheduled Honors colloquium option, you may contract with the course instructor for 1-2 credits of additional in-depth, independent work (HI).

How many credits are required for honors independent study?

Honors Independent Study are contracted with faculty, either as additional in-depth, independent work for a non-honors university course (1-2 credits) or as a "stand-alone" Honors Independent Study of your own design (3-6 credits).

How to identify CHC Honors?

They can be identified in the CHC Honors Course Guide and on SPIRE by their course number suffix "H" (e.g., ANTH 104H). These courses are intensive and due to their small class size, allow for direct mentoring relationships between faculty and students.

What is the prefix for honors colloquia?

Honors Colloquia can be identified in the Honors Course Guide and on SPIRE by their course number prefix "H" (e.g., ANTH H104). To fulfill Honors course requirements, both the Honors component and the regular course must be passed with grades of B or higher.

What is an honors thesis?

The Honors Thesis provides the culminating experience of a Commonwealth Honors College student's academic life and is designed to provide Honors College seniors with an opportunity to integrate their undergraduate experiences while preparing for their intended career paths. Whether you choose to work with a faculty member to design an Individually Contracted Honors Thesis or participate with other Honors College students in a faculty-taught Thesis Seminar, you will have an opportunity to conduct in-depth scholarly research and complete a Research Manuscript or Portfolio under the guidance of an experienced faculty mentor. The Honors Thesis is traditionally completed over two semesters in the senior year, divided into Honors Thesis Part 1 (3+ credits) and Honors Thesis Part 2 (3+ credits).

How many credits are required for Commonwealth Honors?

Six-Credit Intensive Language Courses may be applied to Commonwealth Honors College Honors requirements (maximum: two courses for 12 credits).

When can honors colloquia be established?

Honors Colloquia may also be established after the semester begins. If two or more students in a non-honors course are interested in establishing an Honors colloquium version, and the instructor is willing to work additionally with them, the instructor may submit a Late-Added Honors Colloquium Course Proposal. Enrollment must be between 2-25 students.

What is the difference between honors and honors programs?

The key difference between honors colleges and honors programs in the United States is that honors colleges function as discrete schools within the larger university system, and honors programs aren’t separated into individual colleges within the university.

What is an honors college?

Instead, an honors college is a program that exceptional high school students can apply to and enroll in while completing a traditional bachelor’s degree. Put another way, an honors college one of a number of colleges on a university campus. Just like the college of arts and sciences or the business college, an honors college is another on-campus ...

How to be a Schreyer Scholar?

To remain in good standing as a Schreyer Scholar, you’ll have to meet certain requirements as outlined by the college, including a minimum GPA and completion of honors courses and credits. Scholars are also required to complete an honors thesis in order to graduate from the honors college.

How to apply for Schreyer Honors College?

In order to apply to Schreyer Honors College, you’ll need to complete the Penn State undergraduate application and then complete the separate Schreyer Honors College application .

Why is it better to go to an honors college?

Even better: because there are fewer honors students, you have a better shot at actually winning a scholarship. Additionally, enrolling in an honors college at a public school gives high achieving students the opportunity to receive an elite education they can actually afford.

What does Schreyer do for honors?

When you’re a Schreyer honors student, you have access to an on-campus community, various academic and student life programs, and career development opportunities that non-honors students don’t. In addition to providing on-campus housing for honors college students, Schreyer has several leadership opportunities for its honors scholars, including a student council, a residence hall Scholar Assistants (SAs) program, Orientation Mentors, and Scholar Ambassadors. The skills you learn in these programs will give you a huge leg up when you embark on your career after graduation.

How does priority registration work out in the honors student's favor?

So, how does priority registration work out in the honors student’s favor? When enrollment periods open for different groups of students at colleges and universities—especially big universities—classes fill up fast. The later you enroll, the less likely you are to get into the courses you need to take, and the less likely you are to come out with a schedule of classes that you find appealing (7:30 a.m. class on Mondays, anyone?). When you get to register for classes before everyone else, you’re much more likely to get into the classes you want, at the times you want!

Enriched Honors Courses

One-Credit Honors Colloquia

Honors Independent Studies

• An Honors Independent Study may take one of two forms: · A 1- or 2-credit Honors Independent Study course associated with a standard multi-credit, non-honors UMass course, identified by the designation HI in its name, e.g. HIST HI100 ("add-on" HI are not permitted with any kind of stand-alone independent study, practicum or internship). · A stand-a...

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Hi/Ish Faculty Involvement

Ish Expectations

Ish Standards

Ish Deliverables

Departmental Honors and Interdisciplinary Ish