Honors classes offer many benefits
Kian Hagerman
There are many potential benefits that students can gain from joining the Honors Achievement Award Program at MCC, if they are willing to put forth the effort required.
MCC Theatre Arts Program Director Kevin Dressler said that students who enroll in theatre classes for honors credit can expect to focus on topics that interest them (within the confines of the class), which can provide additional motivation to learn.
“What I like about honors is that it takes a student who has the inclination to do more and gives them the opportunity to do more,” Dressler said.
One of the financially beneficial aspects of being enrolled in the honors program is the money that is awarded to honors students, in the form of honors scholarships.
The amount awarded is based on the number of credits the student is taking in a given semester.
One scholarship accessible at MCC, the Presidents’ Scholarship, is available to the top 15 percent of high school classes within Maricopa County Schools, as well as students with a district-wide GPA higher than 3.25.
Recipients of this scholarship have their tuition waived, as well as the registration fee for up to 15 credit hours per semester for four consecutive semesters.
Honors classes are kept smaller than average, allowing students more one-on-one time with instructors, which can be beneficial given the increased workload honors students have.
This gives students a chance to get individual instruction they might otherwise not in a traditional class.
Enrolling in a class for honors credit also requires more out of the student; at the same time, the student is able to get more out of the class due to the extra assignments and extracurricular activities that students are required to complete.
The expanded scope of honors classes grants students greater exposure to the subjects they are studying, and more opportunities to apply what they have learned.
MCC instructor Kara Thomson said that because honors students are more advanced, they are expected to take a harder look at the various elements of a class that other students may only have brief exposure to.
Students also have a chance to participate in faculty research projects in their chosen field.
“I had an honors student who had an interest in Christopher Marlowe in one of my classes, so we created a research project about Marlowe,” Dressler said.
There are many requirements students must meet if they wish to become an honors graduate, above and beyond simply passing their classes and maintaining a high GPA.
Students must complete at least 15 credits in honors classes, and one credit of service learning.
Honors classes are offered in many disciplines, giving students enrolled in various programs the opportunity to achieve more from their post-secondary education experience.
