Become an Honors Scholar

Founded at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College in 1987, the Honors College offers special courses and activities, along with $2,000 per year scholarships, to academically talented students. Nearly 150 students participate in the Honors College at MGCCC’s Jackson County, Harrison County, and Perkinston campuses, and the George County Center.

The Honors College calls for students who possess a high intellect and enthusiasm for learning and an excellent potential for growth and development. Participants also share a concern for world issues, like the environment, politics, crises, and ethics. And for a select number of students, the program provides academic as well as financial opportunities.

Honors College Benefits

Eligible students receive:

• $2,000 per year academic tuition scholarship
• Priority registration
• Seminar/study room
• Sessions with MGCCC’s President
• Enhanced opportunities for transfer scholarships

Honors College Admission

Admission to the Honors Program is based on class ranking, ACT scores, and faculty recommendations.

Apply to the Honors Program

Students who wish to participate in the program must complete an application, attend an interview with an Honors College Director, and meet any two of the appropriate criteria.

Honors College Application

Criteria for Entering Freshmen

Student must meet at least two of the three criteria below:

1. A minimum ACT Composite score of at least 25
2. The top 10 percent of their high school class in a college preparatory program
3. Recommendations from two instructors/faculty members

Criteria for Students Entering with Previous College Work Excluding Dual Credit

Student must meet at least two of the three criteria below:

1. A minimum ACT Composite score of 25
2. A cumulative GPA of at least 3.5 with no grade lower than C on a minimum of 15 hours
3. Recommendations from two instructors/faculty members

Academic Requirements

The Honors College includes an advanced curriculum and other requirements that students must meet to graduate with an Honors College distinction.

• Maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.2 with no grade lower than a C
• Take seven hours of honors credit each semester, including the Honors Forum

Coursework

All courses designated Honors must include the general course objectives and additional research that results in written assignments and an oral presentation or equivalent activity appropriate to the study of the course. Projects are subject to the approval of the Dean of Teaching and Learning, School Chair, and Honors College Director.

Participation in honors courses are by Honors College Director permission only. Honors courses are designated with an H on the transcript.

The Honors College only considers college-level coursework; therefore, developmental courses are excluded from all requirements.

In addition, if an Honors student is enrolled in one of the pre-approved honors designated courses, he or she must consider contracting the honors project in that course before another course will be considered for approval. For students who are not enrolled in one of the pre-approved honors designated courses, other courses may be considered for honors credit subject to the approval of the Dean of Instruction, Department Chair, and Honors Director.

Courses not on the pre-approved list that may be approved for Honors credit can be selected from the general education core and/or university parallel courses for academic degree programs if they are included in a student’s major of study. An Honors designated course, with the exception of the required Honors Forum, must be no fewer than three credit hours.

Honors Program Probation

Students who drop below the required cumulative GPA of 3.2, but not below a cumulative GPA of 3.0, will be placed on probation for one semester to allow the student to regain the 3.2 cumulative GPA. The student will remain in the program and retain the scholarship while on probation. Only one probationary semester is allowed during the four-semester program.

USM Parallel Honors Program

MGCCC has an MOU (Memoranda of Understanding) with the University of Southern Mississippi (USM) to allow MGCCC Honors College graduates to be automatically enrolled in the USM Honors College if they have:

• Been admitted to USM
• Have submitted the Honors College Application for Admission to Senior Honors
• Have a letter stating that they are in good standing in the MGCCC Honors Program
• Carry a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or better.

Honors College students who complete required Honors courses and maintain at least a 3.5 GPA at USM can graduate from the university with a Latin designation (cum laude, magna cum laude, summa cum laude).

MSU Parallel Honors Program

MGCCC has an MOU with Mississippi State University (MSU) to allow MGCCC Honors College Graduates to be automatically enrolled in the MSU Honors College if they have successfully completed the requirements for the Honors College at MGCCC and have a letter of recommendation from the director.

Honors College Directors