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Kirkwood Adds Honors Program Classes

By April 2, 2008January 21st, 2019No Comments

Expanded choices begin with Fall 2008 semester, providing “academic rigor on a budget”

Over the past decade, many Kirkwood Community College students have participated in the college’s Honors Program. Working closely with faculty mentors, they pursue in-depth academic learning projects that enrich their Kirkwood classroom experiences.

Now the stage is set for Kirkwood to take this concept to the next level by adding “Honors Classes” for the 2008 fall semester. Dr. Peter Jauhiainen in Arts and Humanities has led the faculty efforts to develop this program.

“The addition of Honors courses to our curriculum will ratchet up the standards of academic excellence and will provide exceptional learning opportunities and a stimulating learning environment to our best students,” Jauhiainen said. “Honors courses will promote more active, personal engagement with the subject matter, discussion, effective listening, critical thinking, thought-provoking questioning, collaboration with peers, and meaningful and innovative applications.”

Jauhiainen notes that the new enhanced Honors Program should draw to Kirkwood high-achieving students who are looking for “academic rigor on a budget.” They will also find appealing “a more intimate classroom experience filled with outstanding, highly-motivated classmates.”

Students with fewer than 12 earned credits at the college level must meet one of the following criteria to enroll: a high school GPA of 3.6, a minimum ACT score of 25, or an SAT score of 1170. Students with at least 12 earned credits must have a minimum college GPA of 3.4.

Ten Kirkwood Honors sections have been designated for the 2008-09 school year, with scholarships available for students taking Honors courses. Students who complete an honors section with a “B” grade or higher may be eligible for a free course at Mount Mercy College.

For more information, visit the Kirkwood Honors Program Web site at www.kirkwood.edu/honorsprogram