What are the Honors Seminars?
The Honors Seminars are one credit, interdisciplinary courses on revolving topics that allow Honors Students to choose topics that are of immediate interest to them while acquiring the foundational knowledge necessary to prepare successfully for both future employment and education in a baccalaureate program at SPC or at another academic institution.
- Honors Seminar I gives the students the opportunity to identify their educational and vocational goals
- Honors Seminar II gives the students the opportunity to develop their strategic plan to achieve their identified goals
- Honors Seminar III gives the students the opportunity to develop their resume and application writing skills
- The Capstone gives the students the opportunity to summarize their experiences in the Honors Program and fully connect these experiences to their vocational and academic goals.
Enrollment in seminars will be managed by the Honors Program to ensure that students are placed in the appropriate seminar. However, if an Honors student chooses to register independently for a seminar an alert will be automatically generated stating that the seminar is part of a program outside of the student’s major program and may not be covered by Financial Aid. If this occurs, the student should inform the Honors Program immediately in order to address the issue.
Can I continue Honors Program membership after transferring to one of SPC's four-year programs?
Yes, there are special opportunities for you to continue your Honors Program membership while you are in a bachelor's program. This includes independent research as well as service learning and community leadership offered through the Leadership and Community Engagement Certificate, as discussed above.
What is the Leadership and Community Engagement Bachelor’s Honors track?
This track is designed to prepare students to embrace roles of leadership in their communities, places of business, and in the world at large.
What are SPC Student Titans?
SPC Student Titans are Honors students that support the college by actively participating in and volunteering at college and community events.
What are Leadership Opportunities?
Leadership Opportunities are events and organizations that instill the skills associated with community leadership. Examples include:
- Attendance at ISPS (Institute for Strategic Policy Solutions) Meetings
- Attendance at School Board Meetings
- Participation in Study Abroad opportunities
- Participation in Model UN
- Participation in events hosted by Phi Theta Kappa
- Participation in SGA (Student Government Association)
What are CEL Courses?
Community Engaged Learning (CEL) courses are specially designated courses that include assignments that provide opportunities for students to take concepts learned in the classroom and apply them in the real world through established connections either in public school classrooms or other vocational and community service settings. As a result, the validity of abstract concepts will be emphasized and reinforced, and the benefits of the knowledge and skills instilled in the class will extend immediately beyond the student and into the world. Many Honors classes are CEL courses by design, and fulfilling the requirement will occur without requiring undue inconvenience to the student.
How do I track my service, leadership, and SPC Titan hours?
The Honor Program will provide on its website a downloadable form for recording volunteer and leadership hours served, as well as an online survey link where you will record the circumstances of your service and upload your finished volunteer/leadership form.
Will I get credit for AP classes that I took in High School?
Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate courses that have been successfully completed with a grade of A and for which you achieve a CLEP test result of a 5 will be credited toward the number of total credits necessary to achieve either the Honors Certificate or Diploma.
Are honors students required to study abroad?
No, although we strongly encourage you to take advantage of all academic opportunities, including study abroad. These experiences often contribute to the development of wonderful honors projects and satisfy our honors curriculum and requirements! To this end, we have established opportunities for Honors Program members to receive International Study Abroad scholarships.
Do honors classes cost more?
No. Honors courses cost the same per credit hour as regular classes. Students may be eligible for Honors Program Scholarships.
How do I identify an honors course?
Honors courses can be identified as follows: an "H" after the section number, as in ENC 1102H Composition II.
If I am accepted into the Honors Program, will I automatically become a member of Phi Theta Kappa?
Phi Theta Kappa members are encouraged to apply to the Honors Program; they are not automatically guaranteed membership, and vice versa. To become a member, you will need to have completed at least 12 semester hours. GPA requirements vary by chapter, so consult your campus PTK advisor (Dr. Grace Moore) for more details.
What if my GPA drops below 3.0?
If your GPA drops below 3.0, you will be put on probation until it is raised. If your GPA remains low for another semester, you will be dismissed from the Honors Program.
When are scholarship decisions made?
The Honors Program scholarship committee meets twice a year to review the new and continuing members and award scholarships.
When will I receive my scholarship funds?
All financial aid is administered after the last drop/add day of the session. If you have questions about how your scholarship will be awarded, you can contact the Office of Scholarships and Student Financial Assistance, (727)791-2486.
Who advises honors students?
There are Honors advisors at each campus. In addition, you can meet with the Honors Director for additional Honors advising.
Honors Program Administration
Honors Program Director
Jeff Daum
Phone: 727-614-7013
Location: Clearwater Campus, LA-185
Linda Chang
Phone: 727-791-2511
Location: Clearwater Campus, LA-185
Honors Program Advisors
Clearwater Campus
Welcita Davis
Seminole Campus
Renee Kessing
St. Pete Gibbs Campus
Tara Hunter
Tarpon Springs Campus
James Ralph
Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society is the International Honor Society for two-year colleges. The group has chapters on each main campus and provides opportunities to: