Degree Acceleration and Honors Programs

Degree Acceleration Programs

Dual Enrollment

Dual enrollment provides an opportunity for qualified high school students to enroll in Florida SouthWestern State College courses while still enrolled in high 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 meeting a minimum high school GPA and achievement of the state minimum cutoff scores on the appropriate sections of the PERT or appropriate ACT-E or SAT-R scores (please see Testing Services, in the Student Services section , and each county’s Interinstitutional Articulation Agreement for more information).

Dual enrolled students must complete the online Florida SouthWestern State College admissions application for dual enrolled students. In addition, the dual enrolled student will submit a completed Accelerated High School Registration Approval Form each term listing the courses that they are approved to register for. The Accelerated High School Registration Approval Form must be signed by the high school principal or designee and the applicant. Dual Enrollment students may take courses taught on the high school campus, on the college campus, or through FSW online.

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

Early Admissions

Early admissions provides an opportunity for qualified high school seniors to enroll full time in Florida SouthWestern State College courses on the College campus while still enrolled in high school. Early admissions students receive both high school and college credit. College preparatory, Applied Music, and health and wellness courses are not included in the early admissions program.

To qualify for early admissions, students 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, or appropriate ACT-E or SAT-R scores (please see Testing Services, in the Student Services section , for more information).

Early admissions students must self-identify with the Admissions Office. Early admit students must submit a completed Accelerated High School Registration Approval Form each term listing the courses that they are approved to register for. Accelerated High School Registration Approval Forms must be signed by the high school principal or designee and the applicant.

Early admissions courses are taught on the Florida SouthWestern State College campus or through FSW online. Registration, tuition, laboratory fees, textbooks and instructional materials for public school students are provided by the school district through the high school. Early admissions students are exempt from application, matriculation and special fees. Textbooks and instructional materials for public school students are provided by the school district through the high school. Students enrolled in non-public secondary schools or in home school programs must pay for their textbooks and instructional materials.

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.

Students who receive the IB Diploma are granted college credit for scores of four or higher on both higher level and standard level examinations as listed below.

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.

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.

Requirements for Admission

Students must be AA or AS degree seeking and are required to write an essay and complete an application. The applicant must meet the following criteria to qualify for the program.

1. Graduating High School Students

• Admission into FSW as a degree-seeking student
• Minimum GPA of 3.5 (unweighted)
• Meet one of the following test scores:
  • SAT combined verbal and math score of 1170
  • ACT average score of 24 (English, Reading, and Math)
  • PERT: Reading: 113, Math: 123, Writing: 123
• One letter of recommendation from High School faculty, Counselor, or Administrator
• Approval by Honors Scholar Program Coordinator

2. Dual-enrolled High School Students

• Minimum GPA of 3.0 on 6 hours of college coursework
• One letter of recommendation from College Faculty and one letter from High School faculty, Counselor, or Administrator
• Participation in extracurricular activities
• Approval by the Honors Scholar Program Coordinator

3. Current FSW Students

• GPA of 3.2 on 12 hours of College coursework exclusive of College Prep courses
• Two faculty recommendations
• Approval by the Honors Scholar Program Coordinator

4. Transfer Students

• GPA of 3.2 on 12 hours of College coursework exclusive of College prep courses
• Two faculty recommendations
• Approval by Honors Scholar Program Coordinator

5. Affliate Members

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 of 2.5 GPA on College degree coursework
• Student has a minimum 3.0 GPA on discipline-related coursework
• Approval by the Honors Scholar Program Coordinator
• Approval by the Honors Course Instructor
• Affiliate members must earn an A or B+ in their Honors class(es) to eligible to enroll in future Honors classes.
• N.B. Affiliate members are not awarded Honors Program Scholarships

Program Requirements

A minimum of 12 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 60 Honors Participation points in addition to completing 12 hours of Honors courses with a 3.0 in each course. See the Portfolio Checklist for details.

Required Portfolio Documentation Points

• Academic Lecture/ 350 word summary and reflection. 5pts.
• Academic Film Screening/ 350 word summary and reflection. 5pts.
• Cultural Event/ 350 word summary and reflection. 5pts.
• Research/ Creative Project Copy of the project plus record of presentation on campus or at Conference. 20pts.
• Participation in an Art Exhibition, Music or Theater performance (points determined by level of involvement and responsibility.)
• Honors Thesis/ Copy of Thesis plus record presentation. 50pts.
• Scholarship Applications/ Copy of completed essay. (Number of points dependent upon the scholarship. Cannot repeat the same essay.) 10-20pts.
• Awards and Publications/ Copy of publication or Award. 10pts.
• Academic Team (each season)/ Letter from coach. 20pts.
• Internship Letter from Supervisor. 40pts.
• Conference Attendance and Participation/ 500-word write up and reflection. (Points depend upon level of participation.)
• Phi Theta Kappa Induction/ Verification of PTK membership. 15pts.
• Study Abroad/ Study Away/ International Exchange/ 500-word write up and reflection. 50pts.
• Tutoring (each one hour session)/ Volunteer Activity form or letter from student attesting to impact on learning/grades. 5pts.
• Volunteer Activity or Service (points determined by the number of hours and regularity)/ Volunteer Activity Form. 5-50pts.
• Student Ambassador (Points determined by level of involvement and responsibility)/ Letter of recommendation from advisor or supervisor. 20-40pts.

Extracurricular Required Documentation Points

• Intramural Athletics Letter from coach. 10pts.
• Club Membership (each semester)/ Brief letter from Club president or advisor. 10pts.
• Student Leadership or Officer (each semester)/ Letter from advisor or supervisor; Points determined by qualtiy of leadership and dedication. 20-40pts.

Honors Scholarships

Florida SouthWestern State College is eager to assist the highly motivated and achieving students who participate in the Honors Scholar Program. Based on availability, up to $1,000 performance-based scholarships are awarded in the Fall to full-time students who will graduate from the program. These scholarships are renewable each semester if certain criteria are met.

Academic Excellence Scholarships are also available for incoming freshmen through the Admissions Office. More information regarding these scholarships can be obtained by contacting the Admissions office directly.

How to Apply

The Honors Scholar Program (HSP) Coordinator should receive completed applications prior to the term in which the student wishes to begin participation in the program. For further information or an application form, see http://www.fsw.edu/honors or email Wendy.Chase.@fsw.edu.

Honors Scholar Thesis Project

Honors Scholar Thesis Project courses are designed to allow 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. An Honors Scholar Thesis Project course may not duplicate any existing course in the Catalog. The course is designed by a professor to fit the needs of an individual student.

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 at http://www.fsw.edu/assets/pdf/honors/Honors-Research-Project-Application.pdf. Once this form is properly documented, submitted, and approved by the Honors Scholar Program Coordinator, the student may register for the course.

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.