The COD Honors Program is designed for motivated, high-achieving students seeking academic enrichment through critical thinking, personalized attention, and hands-on research and experiential learning. Honors students gain a competitive edge when applying for transfer scholarships, research grants, internships, and future job opportunities.
In addition to smaller class sizes, research opportunities and honors courses and electives, the Honors program offers:
- Extracurricular Activities and Events
- Independent Study Opportunities
- Honors Contract for Non-Honors Classes
- Transfer and Study Abroad Scholarships
- State and National Conference Participation
- Dedicated Student Success Counselors
Honors Class Listing
Honors classes are not held during summer term.
Eligibility for Honors Classes
- Students who request e-permit from instructor or
- College students with a 3.2/4.0 GPA after at least eight college-level credit hours or
- High school graduates with a 3.5/4.0 GPA or 25 ACT/1200 SAT
Path to Honors Scholar Distinction
Earning the Honors distinction on your transcript signals to colleges and universities that you are ready to embrace academic challenges. This distinction can be especially valuable if you're considering transferring to selective institutions.
All Honors sections enhance your transcript, but students who meet the following criteria will receive a special "Honors Scholar" designation at graduation:
- Complete 15 Honors credits through Honors Courses and Honors Contracts
- Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher
- Graduate with a COD degree or certificate
Students who complete 9 or more Honors credits and maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.2 will earn “Honors Scholar Candidate” designation on their transcript, regardless of graduation status.
Mission Statement
The COD Honors Program is a community of highly motivated students, faculty, and staff committed to cultivating in-depth learning, critical thinking and civic engagement in our diverse world. The Honors Program experience provides academic and networking opportunities to create future leaders and scholars.
Campus Engagement for Honors Students
COD Stories
“I thrive on knowing that I’m a part of something bigger that is actively working to improve the world.” - David Bettinardi
David's COD Story
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to frequently asked questions about the Honors program at COD.
Take an Honors class. Once you register and meet the cumulative GPA requirements, you should automatically be able to enroll in Honors sections. If you can't enroll, you will need to contact someone to check your eligibility.
- If you are a new COD student: contact the Office of Admissions and Outreach, Students Services Center, SSC 2207, (630) 942-2626.
- If you are a current COD student: contact the Counseling Services Students Services Center, SSC 3200, (630) 942-2259.
- If a student is not eligible by GPA, the professor has the option to submit an e-permit for a student the professor believes can do the work of the class. Students need to appeal to the professor directly.
The majority of Honors courses are core curriculum courses that fulfill the general education requirements of any major. Some Honors courses are electives that provide the credit hours needed to complete an associate's degree or certificate program.
Honors courses are offered as individual courses or as linked courses in an Honors Learning Community Seminar.
Honors Independent Study is available to students who wish to explore an academic topic of personal interest in depth under the guidance of a professor in that field.
At COD, there are four ways to get “Honors” on your official transcript:
- Honors courses
- Honors Program designations of “Honors Scholar Candidate” or “Honors Scholar”
- Academic Honors for the Official Term GPA
- Graduation Honors based on cumulative GPA at time of degree or certificate completion
Contact Information
Honors Program Office
Berg Instructional Center (BIC), Room 3418
(630) 942-3318
Email: honorsprogram@cod.edu
Dr. Trina Sotirakopulos
Faculty Chair, Honors Program
Professor of English