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Distinguished Honors Scholar Certificate Program for Foothill Students

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Distinguished Honors Scholar Requirements

The Distinguished Honors Scholar Certificate Program is designed to provide a rigorous and stimulating learning environment in which you'll develop in-depth research skills. You'll dive deeper into the course material within a community of scholars who are interested and curious about deep learning.

It will help prepare you to transfer and earn your baccalaureate degree, as well as help you develop skills to join the workforce.

Upon completion of the program, you'll earn the Distinguished Honors Scholar Certificate and it is noted on their official college transcript.

Criteria for Earning the Certificate

  1. Complete 23 Honors Units
    1. Must complete a minimum 23 units of Foothill College honors courses (at least 12 honors units need to be completed by the end of fall quarter prior to transferring)
    2. Courses must come from at least two different departments
    3. Earn a letter grade of C or better in all honors courses
    4. Maintain a minimum 3.25 GPA overall
    5. The majority of courses need to be completed at Foothill College
  3. Service Leadership - Participate in activities that benefits others and the community
    1. Service leadership is any action or service you take that has an impact on others in your community
    2. Can be personal, volunteer, or paid- but it must have a clear and direct impact on others
    3. Service or work you do that has an impact on you, your perceptions, and/or personal growth as well
    4. Service Leadership Rubric.
  4. Check-in with an Academic Counselor on a quarterly basis. After meeting with your counselor, please submit the Counseling Report form online.

Petition for Distinguished Honors Scholar Certificate

For students who are completing the Distinguished Honors Scholar program for Fall 2026 admission, all criteria must be completed by the end of Spring 2026 quarter. The petition window to request the Honors Scholar certificates is ongoing and rolling. You may submit your request on the Distinguished Honors Scholar Certificate Request form below.

 

Benefits

In addition to receiving transcript notation, students who fulfill the Honors Scholar criteria are eligible to participate in university transfer agreements exclusive to the Honors Program. Students who become Honors Scholars may receive priority consideration to the following institutions:

Sample Syllabi

Below are sample syllabi that instructors have used in the past. The actual syllabi may be slightly different from the one posted. These are intended for students to get a feel for what an honors course is like.

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