Honors Program
Learn, grow, achieve GLOBALLY
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The Palo Alto College Honors Program challenges high-achieving students to fully engage with their courses, their college, their community, and beyond. The Honors Program consists of 12 hours of course work in small classes with mentoring by dedicated faculty. Not only do honors courses bring a global perspective to learning, but there are also opportunities for travel to local and national conferences and cultural events. In addition, students can participate in community service activities at home and abroad. By making the world their classroom, honors students experience first-hand what it means to be a citizen of today's vibrant global culture. |
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Benefits
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Admissions Requirements
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Fall 2026 Honors Courses
The deadline to apply for the Honors Program for fall 2026 classes is July 10, 2026.
The registration deadline for fall 2026 classes is August 1, 2026, and seats fill up quickly. Enroll now to secure your spot.
You are not required to enroll in a specific number of Honors classes. You can take as many as you would like that fit into your degree plan. However, take no more than 2 honors courses per semester.
| Course | Meeting Dates & Times | Instructor |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 1308 Biology for Non-Science Majors I |
Tue/Thu 12:30 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. |
Dr. Jessica Humann |
| BIOL 1406 Biology for Science Majors I |
Class: Mon/Wed 11:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Lab: Wed 12:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. |
Dr. Ernesto Perez |
| CHEM 1411 General Chemistry I |
Class: Fri 8:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Lab: Fri 12:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. |
Dr. Jeena Joseph |
| ENGL 1301 Composition I |
Tue/Thu: 9:30 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. |
Valerie Huth-Vasquez |
Spring 2027 Honors Courses
The deadline to apply for the Honors Program for spring 2027 classes is Nov. 2, 2026.
The registration deadline for Spring 2027 classes is Nov. 25, 2026, and seats fill up quickly. Enroll now to secure your spot.
You are not required to enroll in a specific number of Honors classes. You can take as many as you would like that fit into your degree plan. However, take no more than 2 honors courses per semester.
| Course | Meeting Dates & Times | Instructor |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 1309 Biology for Non-Science Majors II |
Tue/Thu 12:30 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. |
Dr. Jessica Humann |
| BIOL 1407 Biology for Science Majors II |
Class: Tue/Thu 12:30 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. Lab: Thursday 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. |
Dr. Robert Miranda |
| COMM 1307 Intro to Mass Communication |
Tue/Thu 9:30 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. |
Andrea Fuentes |
| ENGL 1302 Composition II |
Tue/Thu 9:30 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. |
Valerie Huth-Vasquez |
| ENGL 2323 British Literature II |
Online class* | Valerie Huth-Vasquez |
| GEOL 1301 Earth Sciences Lecture I |
Mon/Wed 11:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. |
Elizabeth Montgomery |
| HIST 1302 U.S. History II |
Mon/Wed 9:30 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. |
Tori Beckman-Wilson |
| PSYC 2301 General Psychology |
Online class* | Russ Wagner |
*Online classes are asynchronous. However, several online meetings with the instructor will be required during the semester. Dates and times for these meetings will be agreed upon by the instructor and students. A computer, reliable internet access, and a webcam with a microphone are needed for this course.
Yes! Every Honors course you take will be annotated on your transcripts. If you complete 12 units of Honors-designated courses from our program and you'll be recognized as an Honors Graduate both on your transcripts and at graduation. Whether you take one Honors course or complete the four-course Honors sequence, participation in the Palo Alto College Honors Program demonstrates your intellectual curiosity and your commitment to academic achievement.
No. There is usually a world of difference between high school and college honors courses. In many high schools, honors courses are the normal courses "made harder" with extra readings, extra assignments, and more rigorous grading. At college, honors courses are specially "enriched" courses, not normal courses made "harder." Grading standards are the same as in non-honors college courses.
As an honors student, you will gain confidence in your academic abilities through ongoing faculty mentoring, experiencing the personal attention provided by small honors classes, and working with other honors students.
No. Honors courses aren't graded harder (or easier) than other college courses. A student who averages a 3.5 in regular courses will probably earn a 3.5 GPA for honors courses, too. In fact, data from schools similar to Palo Alto College indicates that most students maintain or improve their GPA's after participating in the Honors Program.
Contact Us: |
Dr. Jessica Humann |
Dr. Rosalinda Ortiz
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Thomas Murguía |