Honors Program

Honors Program

Durham Tech's Honors Program offers students the chance to be part of a supportive, intellectually active, and diverse community that includes fellow students, faculty, and staff. Through this program, students are encouraged to take on meaningful academic challenges that promote deep, critical, and creative thinking. The goal is to inspire students to explore research connected to their communities, personal growth, and future career paths.

To apply for the Honors Program, students must:

• Have a minimum overall GPA of 3.2.
• Have completed all developmental coursework before the semester in which they plan to begin an Honors option.
• Have no record of academic dishonesty in any previous coursework.
• Submit a project proposal (approved by their instructor) to the Honors Program directors by the end of the third week of the semester using the Honors Program web page.
• Submit two academic recommendation forms through the Honors Program web page:
  • One completed by a former instructor;
  • One completed by the instructor for the Honors Option project.
     

Review sample Honors Project Proposals (pdf) for past examples of project proposals.

How to Participate

Students interested in completing an Honors project should follow these steps:

1. Connect with an Instructor Early – Reach out to an instructor offering an Honors Option during the first week of the semester. If no Honors Option courses appear in your schedule, you may ask any of your instructors if they’re willing to guide you through an Honors project. Please note that participation is at the instructor’s discretion.
2. Submit a Recommendation Form – Ask a current or former instructor who can speak to your academic strengths to complete a recommendation form. This form must be submitted through the Honors Program website by the end of the third week of the semester.
3. Request a Second Recommendation – Your Honors Option instructor must also submit a recommendation form on your behalf.
4. Create an Honors Proposal – Work closely with your instructor to develop a detailed Honors project proposal. The proposal, along with both recommendation forms, is due by the end of the third week of the semester.
5. Present Your Project – Share your work through an oral or poster presentation. Presentations will take place in front of an audience that may include college administration, faculty, staff, and fellow students.
6. Earn Honors Credit – To receive an official Honors designation for your course, you must complete the project and earn a final grade of A or B. The final decision on the Honors designation rests with the instructor.

Fall 2025 Deadline

The deadline for submitting both the project proposal contract and both recommendation forms is:

• Friday, August 29 (16-week and Term A courses)

• Friday, October 31 (Term B courses)
   

Honors Program Application Recommendation Form