Degree Acceleration and Honors Programs

Degree Acceleration Programs

Dual Enrollment

Dual enrollment provides an opportunity for qualified secondary school students to enroll in Florida SouthWestern State College courses while still enrolled in secondary school. Dual enrolled students receive both high school and college credit. College preparatory, Applied Music, and health and wellness courses are not included in the dual enrollment program.

To qualify for dual enrollment, all candidates must demonstrate readiness for college-level work. Readiness for college-level work is determined through achievement of the state minimum cutoff scores on the appropriate sections of the PERT, ACT, SAT or AccuPlacer scores (please see Testing Services, in the Student Services section, and each county’s Dual Enrollment Articulation Agreement for more information) and meet the minimum high school GPA requirement, as outlined in the Dual Enrollment Articulation Agreements.

Dual enrollment students must complete the “Dual Enrollment/Early Admissions Students Application” at www.fsw.edu/apply.  In addition, the dual enrolled student will submit a completed “Accelerated High School Registration Approval Form” listing the courses that they are approved to register for each term. This form must be signed by the high school principal or designee and the applicant. Students are able to enroll in classes on a Florida SouthWestern State College campus, FSW online, or on their high school campus.

Dual enrollment students are exempt from application, matriculation and tuition fees. Textbooks and instructional materials for public school students are provided by the school district. Students enrolled in non-public schools or in home school programs must pay for their textbooks and instructional materials. 

Specialized and/or limited-access programs and courses may include costs outside of the Dual Enrollment Program that are the responsibility of the student.  Please refer to each county’s Articulation Agreement for more information.

Early Admissions

Early admissions provides an opportunity for qualified high school seniors to enroll full time in college-level coursework through Florida SouthWestern State College courses while still enrolled in high school.

Early admissions students receive both high school and college credit. College preparatory courses, applied music, health and wellness courses, and courses less than three credits (unless a required science laboratory co-requisite) are not included in the early admissions program.

To qualify for early admissions, seniors must have a minimum un-weighted high school GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale and must demonstrate readiness for college-level work. Readiness for college- level work is determined through achievement of the state minimum cutoff scores on the appropriate sections of the PERT, ACT, SAT or AccuPlacer scores (please see Testing Services, in the Student Services section, and the county’s Dual Enrollment Articulation Agreement).

Early admissions students submit a completed “Accelerated High School Registration Approval Form” listing the courses that are approved to register for each term. Early admissions students must self-identify on the Accelerated High School Registration Approval Form” and must be signed by the high school principal or designee and the applicant. Early admissions students are exempt from application, matriculation and tuition fees. Textbooks and instructional materials for public school students are provided by the school district. Students enrolled in non-public secondary schools or in home school programs must pay for their textbooks and instructional materials.

Specialized and/or limited-access programs and courses may include costs outside of the Dual Enrollment Program that are the responsibility of the student.  Please refer to each county’s Articulation Agreement for more information.

Collegiate Institute

The Collegiate Institute is a form of Early Admissions for high school juniors and seniors.  It is an articulated acceleration mechanism between Florida SouthWestern State College and the School Districts within the college’s service district. The goal of the Collegiate Institute is to provide education to high school students who seek the environment of a high-performing high school while also undertaking college-level studies.  The curriculum will enable students to complete (or near completion of) an AA degree while earning the high school diploma.  Admission requirements for the Collegiate Institute vary by county, and are outlined in the Collegiate High School Programs Articulation Agreements.

Collegiate Institute students are exempt from application, matriculation and tuition fees. Textbooks and instructional materials for public school students are provided by the school district. Students enrolled in non-public schools or in home school programs must pay for their textbooks and instructional materials.

Specialized and/or limited-access programs and courses may include costs outside of the Dual Enrollment Program that are the responsibility of the student.  Please refer to each county’s Articulation Agreement for more information.

Advanced Placement

Florida SouthWestern State College participates in the Advanced Placement Program (AP) offered by the College Board to provide greater flexibility and opportunity for high school students to proceed with their education. Students must submit to the Office of the Registrar an official transcript from the College Board for scores to be considered. Florida SouthWestern State College awards college credit for qualifying AP examination scores based on standards recommended by the Florida Department of Education and the Articulation Coordinating Committee. Acceptance of AP tests and scores is subject to change without notice. AP credit is not granted if the student has already earned credit for the course. Courses in bold are non-institutional course numbers that are state-mandated for use in awarding credit to those students meeting the criteria.

College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)

Florida SouthWestern State College participates in the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) offered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) to provide greater flexibility and opportunity for students to proceed with their education. Students must submit to the Office of the Registrar an official transcript from the Educational Testing Service for scores to be considered. Florida SouthWestern State College awards college credit for qualifying CLEP examination scores based on standards recommended by the Florida Department of Education and the Articulation Coordinating Committee.

Acceptance of CLEP tests and scores is subject to change without notice. CLEP credit is not granted if the student has already earned credit for the course. Courses in bold are non-institutional course numbers that are state-mandated for use in awarding credit to those students meeting the criteria. In some instances, courses that are currently inactive at Florida SouthWestern State College must be used; those inactive courses will be designated with an asterisk (*). For additional information, contact the Testing Services area on your local campus.

International Baccalaureate (IB) Program

Florida SouthWestern State College accepts the International Baccalaureate (IB) offered by the International Baccalaureate Organization to provide greater flexibility and opportunity for high school students to proceed with their education. Students must submit to the Office of the Registrar an official transcript from the International Baccalaureate Organization for scores to be considered. Florida SouthWestern State College awards college credit for IB examination scores based on standards recommended by the Florida Department of Education and the Articulation Coordinating Committee. Acceptance of IB tests and scores is subject to change without notice. IB credit is not granted if the student has already earned credit for the course.

In 2006, the Florida State Board of Education Rule 6A-10.024 and the Board of Governors established that the credit granting recommendations below award equal course credit for diploma and non-diploma holders exam scores.

Courses in bold are non-institutional course numbers that are state-mandated for use in awarding credit to those students meeting the criteria.

Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE)

The AICE program is an international, advanced secondary curriculum and assessment program equivalent to the British system of “A-Levels.” Florida SouthWestern State College follows the recommendations of the Articulation Coordinating Committee. Courses in bold are non-institutional course numbers that are state-mandated for use in awarding credit to those students meeting the criteria. Grades are not based on the American “A” - “F” grading scale.

Career Pathways and Articulation

Lee, Charlotte, Collier, Hendry, and Glades District Schools and Florida SouthWestern State College are partners in the Career Pathways philosophy which offers students the opportunity to focus on technical high school electives that will help train them for high-skill, high-wage occupations. While in high school preparing for careers and post-secondary education, students can begin to earn Florida SouthWestern State College credits. FSW provides the opportunity for technical program students to earn college credits that may be applied toward an Associate in Science degree.

Excelsior College (EC)

Florida SouthWestern State College follows the guidelines in Florida State Board Rule 6A-10.024 for awarding EC credits. More detailed information about Excelsior College Examinations, including detailed test descriptions, can be found on-line at www.excelsior.edu. EC credit granted by FSW may be transferable to participating Florida institutions of higher education. It is the responsibility of the student to contact the institution to which he/she expects to transfer to determine the acceptability of this credit. Courses in bold are non-institutional course numbers that are state-mandated for use in awarding credit to those students meeting the criteria.

UEXCEL Credit-by Examination program is developed jointly by Excelsior College and Pearson. Florida SouthWestern State College follows the recommendations of the Articulation Coordinating Committee.

Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (PTK)

The purpose of Phi Theta Kappa is to recognize and encourage scholarship among two year college students.  To achieve this purpose, Phi Theta Kappa provides opportunities for the development of leadership, service, for an intellectual climate for the exchange of ideas and ideals, for lively fellowship for scholars, and for stimulation of interest in continuing academic excellence.  FSW supports four chapters of PTK: Alpha Tau Eta - Charlotte Campus (http://www.fsw.edu/charlotte/clubs/ptk), Alpha Upsilon Nu - Collier Campus (http://www.fsw.edu/collier/studentactivities), Beta Tau Pi - Hendry/Glades Center and Omicron Epsilon Chapter - Thomas Edison Campus (http://www.fsw.edu/lee/studentactivities).

In order to be a member of an FSW chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, a student must meet all of the criteria outlined below:

• A 3.5 or higher overall GPA (excluding college prep courses)
• Completion of 12 college credit hours (excluding college prep and level 1-4 EAP courses)
• Seeking an Associate in Arts or an Associate in Science degree
• Cannot  already have earned an Associate in Arts , Associate in Science, or bachelor’s degree or higher from FSW or any other institution
• Enrolled in classes in the semester for which membership is applied
• Adhere to the FSW Code of Conduct
• Possess recognized qualities of citizenship

Once a student has been inducted as a member of PTK, the student’s transcript will be marked showing Phi Theta Kappa membership and induction term.  A student who has been inducted into one of the FSW chapters of PTK may attend chapter meetings, hold office, and participate as a full member in PTK sponsored activities on any FSW campus.

Honors Scholar Program

Florida SouthWestern State College offers qualified students with high ability and motivation an enriched, challenging program of study through the Honors Scholar Program (HSP). Participation in this superior educational experience provides for intellectual and social development, builds character, and promotes enthusiasm for lifelong learning. Honors courses are not intended to be appreciably more work than traditional classes, but instead offer innovative approaches to learning that focus on the individual student. Honors classes may, depending on the course, involve problem solving, student projects, or a student seminar approach to learning. Synergy results when the best and brightest are assembled together to inspire each other to think in unique, novel ways. Faculty are selected for their expertise and interest in helping students.

Benefits of the Program

Active discussions
Small class sizes
Independent and critical thinking
Field trips
Independent research or creative project option

Florida SouthWestern State College Honors Scholars are desirable recruits to other institutions of higher learning and often receive special attention for scholarships and awards. Completion of the Honors Scholar Program is recorded on the students’ transcripts.

Applying to the Honors Program

• Incoming Freshmen must have a 3.5 unweighted GPA and submit one letter of recommendation from a teacher
• College students must have a 3.2 GPA and should not have completed over 30 hours of coursework when they apply. They must submit two letters of recommendation from professors.
• Students must fill out the FSW online scholarship application and write an essay. The online application will provide you with a link to the essay topics.
• Students must submit a FAFSA including the FSW school code: 001477.
• Students must complete a Florida Residency Affidavit (if applicable).

Applying for Affiliate Membership

Students who do not meet the requirements for Full Membership but who are still academically talented in specific discipline(s) may still be able to take specific Honors classes as an Honors Affiliate.  This student is a major or related major in the discipline, shows exceptional talent in the discipline, and would benefit from the greater engagement with subject matter offered by the Honors Scholar Program.

• Student has a minimum 2.5 GPA on College degree coursework.
• Student has a minimum 3.0 GPA on discipline-related coursework.
• Student must complete an Affiliate Application and submit it to the Honors Scholar Program Coordinator.
• Affiliate members must earn an A or B+ in their Honors class(es) to be eligible to enroll in future Honors classes.
• Affiliate members are not awarded Honors Program Scholarships.

Program Requirements

A minimum of 15 credit hours of Honors classes (earning at least a grade of “B” in each course) will complete the academic requirements to graduate from the Honors Scholar Program. These classes must be chosen from at least two of three academic areas: basic sciences/math, social sciences, or humanities/communications. One of these classes can be the Honors Scholar Thesis Project (3 credits).

To graduate with High Honors students must earn 100 Honors Participation points in addition to completing 15 hours of Honors courses with a 3.0 in each course. See the Portfolio Checklist for details.

Honors Scholarships

Florida SouthWestern State College is eager to assist the highly motivated and achieving students who participate in the Honors Scholar Program through the Academic Excellence Scholarship. These scholarships are renewable each semester if certain criteria are met. More information regarding these scholarships can be obtained by contacting the Admissions office directly.

Honors Scholar Capstone Project

Honors Scholar Capstone Project allows a student to pursue topics within a specific discipline or program under the guidance of a qualified professor. The experience provides an opportunity for the student to explore in depth an area of particular interest. Students in a variety of disciplines may choose to write a thesis; but an art student might choose to create a body of work and display it in an exhibition; a musician might choose to write and perform an original composition; a creative writer could write a collection of poems or short stories. Science students may require two semesters to complete a lab-based research project. Students work one-on-one with their advisor to tailor the project to their needs and goals.

Choosing to complete a capstone project requires students to register for a special, undergraduate research course. This course may not duplicate any existing course in the Catalog. The course syllabus must be designed by the Professor, with input as to areas of interest from the student. It must represent college-level work and be sufficiently complex and demanding to warrant the credits awarded.

To begin the Honors Scholar Thesis Project registration process, students must complete the Undergraduate Research Application. This Application is available online at the Honors Scholar Program website http://www.fsw.edu/honors. Once this form is properly documented, submitted, and approved by the Honors Scholar Program Coordinator, the student may register for the course. The results of this course are presented at the Honors Capstone Project presentations at the end of the Spring semester.

The regular college grading system applies to Honors Scholar Thesis Project students. Honors Scholar Thesis Project classes may not be taken to satisfy general education requirements.