The Honors Program offers students the opportunity to study and learn in a challenging learning environment. Students benefit from a learning community with small class sizes, teacher-student mentoring, team-taught interdisciplinary courses and access to a fully-equipped Honors Center. Honors students receive a tuition waiver during their final semester, special recognition at graduation, and “Commonwealth Honors Program Scholar” designation on official transcripts. The Honors Program is perfect for students seeking transfer to a competitive four-year college or additional intellectual challenge.
The Honors Program is affiliated with the National Collegiate Honors Council (NCHC) and the Northeast Regional NCHC and is accredited as a Commonwealth Honors Program.
Commonwealth Honors Program Status
All MWCC Honors courses are transferable as Honors courses within the Massachusetts public higher education system, and graduates of the Honors Program are guaranteed acceptance into the Honors Programs at four-year Massachusetts public colleges and universities.
Admissions Requirements
Incoming students: If you are entering MWCC with an exemplary high school record that includes:
- Combined (critical reading and mathematics)
SAT Reasoning Test scores above 1650
OR
Combined (critical reading and mathematics) SAT Reasoning Test scores above 1100; - A high school GPA of 3.3 or higher; and/or
- A high school class rank in the top 15 percent,*
you are welcome to commence your academic program as a member of the college’s selective Honors Program. Students benefit from a learning community environment with small class sizes, teacher-student mentoring, and team-taught interdisciplinary courses. MWCC’s well-respected accredited Honors Program is perfect for students seeking transfer to a competitive four-year college or additional intellectual challenge.
*Class rank to be determined after 6 or 7 completed high school semesters by the sending secondary school.
*Candidates must schedule an interview with the Honors Program Coordinator for consideration.
Currently enrolled students: Students should make an appointment to meet with the Honors coordinator to discuss academic preparation and the following requirements:
- QPA of 3.3 based on a minimum of 12 credits
- Two recommendations from MWCC faculty
Program Requirements
- Maintain a 3.3 QPA. If QPA drops, Honors students are allowed one probationary semester to continue in the program and raise their cumulative average.
- Maintain a minimum “B” in all designated Honors courses.
- Complete a math (MAT160 or higher or MAT 143) and a lab science course.
- Complete Honors English (ENG201), after completing ENG101 and ENG102. Honors English is offered exclusively to Honors students.
- Two Honors courses:
These may be “component” courses already required by a student’s degree program (must be approved as component courses), or specifically designed Honors courses. A component course requires additional activities such as independent research, one-on-one tutorials, and/or a special project. Component courses result from a written agreement between a faculty member and a student, and approval of the division dean. - One Honors Colloquium course:
Honors students enroll in the colloquium course after completing ENG201 and one of the two required Honors courses. The colloquium, exclusively for Honors students, is interdisciplinary in nature and designed by the Honors Committee.
* Under certain circumstances, Honors Program requirements may be substituted with the approval of the Honors Program Committee.