Honors Program

The Purpose of the Honors Program

The Honors Program at West Virginia University Potomac State College provides intellectual challenges and enrichment opportunities to academically talented students.

Students who share similar work ethics, goals and aspirations can find a strong sense of community with their peers.

Honors courses are taught by some of our finest faculty members. Professors not only know your name but also your hopes and dreams. Limited class sizes allow for engaging discussions and debates.

Changes to the Honors Program

The Honors Program at PSC has undergone changes to provide two separate Honors Programs.  The AA/AAS Honors Program is designed for students completing an AA or AAS degree.  Students in this program complete a total of 5 honors courses (a minimum of 13 honors credits) while completing the requirements for their degree. The BAS/BSN Honors EXCEL Program is designed for junior and senior level students pursuing a BAS or BSN degree.  Students in this program complete experiential learning through honor level courses at the 300 or 400 level in addition to an experiential learning project which integrates community service related to their major culminating in the development and presentation of a portfolio during their senior year. The BAS/BSN Honors EXCEL Program is a more experiential learning program designed to help students be better prepared and able to enter the workplace. Students can complete both programs, or they can chose to complete only the AA/AAS or the BAS/BSN Honors EXCEL program.  

Admission in the Honors Program

Admission of New Students into the AA/AAS Honors Program

New freshmen Potomac State students must have a 3.3 high school GPA and 23 ACT or 1140 SAT (reading and math combined) score. Students meeting these requirements should receive a letter inviting them to join the Honors Program in the spring before their freshman year. Students who have met the requirements but have not received a letter should contact the Program Coordinator.

Admission of Current and Transfer Students into the AA/AAS Honors Program

Current Potomac State students and transfer students in an AA or AAS degree program who have a 3.5 cumulative GPA may be eligible for admission into the Honors Program. Honors credits received at other institutions may be accepted as honors credits at Potomac State. Current and/or transfer students interested in the Honors Program should contact the Program Coordinator.

Admission of Students into the BAS or BSN Honors EXCEL Program

Current Potomac State students and transfer students who have at least a 3.5 GPA can apply to the BAS or BSN Honors EXCEL Program during the semester before they begin their BAS or BSNdegree. In addition, PSC students with at least a 3.0 GPA and a letter of support from a faculty member can apply during the semester before they begin their BAS degree.  Transfer students with at least a 3.5 GPA can apply after acceptance to Potomac State College of WVU. Applications will require an essay explaining why the student wishes to be accepted into the BAS Honors Program and will be reviewed by the Honors Advisory Council.

The Benefits of the Honors Program

• Students successfully completing the Honors Program will receive Honors Scholar designation on their official transcripts and graduation diplomas. Honors Scholars also receive special recognition during the Commencement ceremony.
  
• Honors students choosing to change campuses to Morgantown from Potomac State may also transfer into the WVU Honors College.
  
• Honors students have a variety of opportunities to participate in Honors Program sponsored social and cultural activities.
  
• All honors students receive priority pre-registration for future semesters. 
• Honors students may enroll in Honors 191, which fulfills the requirement for all new students to enroll in an orientation course, typically WVUe 191.
  
• Honors students may take one or more honors course each semester. Many of these courses satisfy general education (GEF) requirements at Potomac State College and West Virginia University so completing the honors courses does not typically require students to take additional courses.
  

Honor Society Membership Opportunities

Phi Theta Kappa

Beta Psi Chi Chapter is an international honor society that has been recognized for academic excellence since 1918. With 1,100 chapters throughout the world and 1.3 million members, it is a prestigious organization whose members comprise the top 10 percent of students enrolled in two-year colleges.  Students are invited to join and are inducted during the spring.

Contact:

Dr. Sheryl Chisholm
Associate Professor of Biology
(304) 788-7119
sheri.chisholm@mail.wvu.edu

Sigma Phi Omega

Is a local society on the WVU Potomac State College campus. The society was founded in 1923 by the faculty of Potomac State College to honor students’ academic achievement and engagement in campus activities. Students are invited to join and are inducted during the spring.

Contact:

Lisa Zyga
Mathematics Instructor
(304) 788-7160
Lisa.Zyga@mail.wvu.edu

Sigma Theta Tau

Alpha Rho Chapter is for students pursuing their Bachelor of Science Nursing degree. The organization touts more than 135,000 active members, in more than 500 chapters, in 90-plus countries around the world. Sigma collaborates with several global organizations to improve the health of the world’s people, including representation at the United Nations. This offers members the opportunity to extend their reach outside of their own communities.

Contact:

April L. Shapiro, PhD, RN, CNE
Chairperson and Tenured Associate Professor of Nursing
(304) 788-7175
ashapiro@hsc.wvu.edu