Honors Program
The Honors Program invites you to discover a world of intellectual engagement, curiosity, and lifelong learning . . . to embrace civic engagement, leadership, and personal growth and to immerse yourself in an enriched classroom experience that puts you on a path to make a lasting impact on society.
The Honors Program at Harford Community College is a launchpad for personal growth and self-discovery. We celebrate diversity, individuality, and the unique perspectives that each person brings to the table. We believe that knowledge is a rewarding and boundless journey and that research, discovery and service learning are critical to being fully equipped to adapt and innovate in a rapidly changing world.
Honors in the News: Undergraduate Research in Action
Students from Harford Community College's Honors Program recently showcased their research excellence at the Maryland Collegiate Honors Program Annual Conference. This conference provided a platform for Harford's Honors students to showcase their work reflecting high-impact learning strategies such as service-learning and undergraduate research:
- David Henry Jones:
Black Beauty Reconstructed: The Aesthetics of Realizing a Multi-Racial Democracy in Black Reconstruction - Druscilla Darkwa, Alexandra Fender, and Kellie Simon:
Effects of Murraya koenigii Leaf Liquid Extract on the Viability of CHO-K1 Cells (Best Poster award winner).
These achievements by our Honors students underscore the program's commitment to academic rigor and the value of undergraduate research in driving intellectual inquiry and discovery.
Pictured left to right: Chris Jones, Donald Watson, David Henry Jones, Druscilla Darkwa, Alexandra Fender, Kellie Simon.
Honors Program BENEFITS
Honors students register for specially designated Honors courses that develop depth and breadth of content knowledge extending beyond general coursework. Honors courses have smaller class sizes—typically no more than 15 students—to encourage deeper interaction between students and faculty. They offer opportunities to engage in research, service-learning activities, experiential learning, and collaborative presentations aimed to develop transferable skills that benefit students in all programs of study.
Honors students are encouraged to participate in co-curricular activities, field trips, and conferences that develop leadership and professional skills. Honors Program students plan activities in collaboration with faculty and administration and are often asked to speak or represent the College at recruitment and donor events, participate in panel discussions, or attend and present research at conferences. Each spring the Honors Program hosts the Scholars Summit where students in all academic fields, including those from neighboring colleges, can apply to present undergraduate research, scholarship, creative activities, and service-learning projects. Project submissions may include poster boards, research papers, and presentations. Prizes are awarded for Best Scientific Work, Best Creative Work and Best Poster Presentation.
Although not directly related, many Honors students also participate in one or more of the Honor Societies on our campus.
Several scholarships are designated exclusively for Honors students, both at Harford
and through transfer agreements. Honors students in good standing are eligible to
receive the Honors Program Scholarship at Harford while several Honors-to-Honors transfer
agreements allow students to not only seamlessly transfer honors coursework to a four-year
university, but also to be accepted to the university’s Honors Program/College, receive
transfer scholarships, priority registration, and/or preferential housing. For more
information, contact Harford’s Honors Program Coordinator or review our current agreements.
Those completing the Honors Program have special designations on their transcripts
and Honors courses are also noted. The annual Honors Completion Recognition Ceremony,
open to family, friends, and faculty, recognizes graduates with a certificate and
honors medallion to be worn at Commencement.
Regardless of the number of credits earned, all Honors students in good standing are
eligible for priority registration to ensure they are able to schedule Honors courses.
Admissions Criteria
Admission to the Honors Program is based on eligibility at the time of application submission. In certain circumstances, exceptions may be permitted with the consent of the instructor or Dean.
New Students applying to the Honors Program must:
- have applied to the College,
- be eligible to enroll in college-level English and reading,
- earn a qualifying score on math assessment,
- have a cumulative high school GPA of 3.2 or above.
Current and New Transfer Students applying to the Honors Program must:
- be eligible to enroll in college-level English and reading,
- earn a qualifying score on math assessment,
- possess a cumulative GPA of no less than 3.2 and have earned a minimum of nine credits in college-level courses, OR have earned a 1200 or higher composite SAT score or a score of 24 or higher on the ACT.
Continued Eligibility
To remain eligible for the Honors Program over multiple semesters, you must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA in Honors courses AND an overall minimum GPA of 3.20.
Completion Criteria
To successfully complete the Honors Program and earn an Honors designation on your transcript, you must earn a minimum of 12 credits in Honors courses, possess a minimum 3.20 cumulative GPA in all honors courses upon completion of the Program AND hold an overall minimum GPA of 3.20.
Upon completion of the Harford Community College Honors Program, you will be able to:
- develop depth and breadth of content knowledge that extends beyond general coursework,
- conduct effective research in support of scholarly projects,
- apply presentation skills based on oral, written, and other relevant methods,
- demonstrate leadership and professional skills via curricular and co-curricular activities.