OFFICE OF ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

70 Sip Ave., 4th Floor, Jersey City, New Jersey 07306 | 201-360-4010 | academicaffairs@hccc.edu

Office of Academic Affairs Webpage

HCCC Honors Program

Each semester, Hudson County Community College offers a number of courses that carry an “Honors Only” designation.  In order to register in one of these courses, students must meet specified academic criteria established to guarantee their ability to benefit from the rigor of Honors Program sections.  In these courses, students should expect smaller class size, more one-to-one instructor contact, assignments of greater complexity and breadth, and the opportunity to work alongside other students with similarly exceptional initiative and ability.  Honors students are required to complete a capstone project for every Honors course, attend the Honors Showcase at the end of the semester, and participate in college-wide as well as Honors Program sponsored events.

Members of the College’s Honors Program are provided with many unique opportunities. Some of the benefits include: the designation of Honors courses on students’ transcripts, access to the private Honors Lounge, an opportunity to meet, work, and socialize with other Honors students, stimulating, smaller classes that provide challenging course work and exciting class discussions, and milestone recognitions upon completion of three and five Honors courses. Honors students also have leadership opportunities through participation in the Honors Newsletter and the Honors Student Council as well as numerous events sponsored by the Honors Program and partner 4-year universities.

Admissions requirements are listed on the Honors Program's webpage.

HCCC Learning Communities

Learning Communities are linked courses that provide students the opportunities for deeper understanding and integration of the materials they are learning. Learning Communities are a small group or cohort of students who share similar academic goals and work collaboratively in the classroom with one or more professors. Students may enroll in Learning Community courses in ESL and Academic Foundations English and Math. These courses are linked with a college – level course. Learning Communities are also offered with two linked college – level courses.  Students who are enrolled in a learning community receive extra support both inside and outside of the classroom. 

Service Learning and Externships

HCCC provides students in some programs with the opportunity to obtain hands-on experience in their major fields of study. In addition, several degree programs require the successful completion of a service learning experience. Students who are placed in service learning settings, often referred to as “externships,” earn College credits while working at actual field sites under the guidance of experienced professionals. Successful completion of an externship may be the first step in executing and planning a successful career.

Eligibility to participate in service learning, field placements, or externships is determined by both the College and the outside agencies. Refer to this Catalog’s section titled “Qualifications for Select Careers” for the selection processes which some agencies may follow. Within the College, candidates for field placement must obtain the approval of the appropriate Academic Program Director, coordinator or School Dean prior to registering and participating in service learning or externship courses. While students are working at their field sites, they must at all times maintain appropriate levels of professional decorum and behavior as a continuing condition of their eligibility to participate in the service learning experience. Students are continuously evaluated during their field experiences by both the appropriate HCCC program coordinator and the site supervisor.