Academic Honors

Honors Program

The South Texas College Honors Program is designed to provide progressive opportunities for study and innovative challenges to students who are highly motivated, intellectually gifted, academically well-prepared and/or exceptionally creative.

The program offers unique opportunities for enrichment that will enhance and encourage intellectual curiosity, good citizenship and leadership skills.

Admission Requirements

To be eligible to apply for the STC Honors Program, students currently enrolled at STC must have a minimum cumulative college GPA of 3.25. Students entering STC following graduation from high-school must have a minimum cumulative high-school GPA of 3.5.

To apply, the student must:

1. Submit a complete Honors Application.
2. Submit STC transcript, if applicable.
3. Make an appointment to review application, eligibility and honors course selection.

All Honors Program students will receive Honors course advising, scheduling and consultation. 

For further information about the Honors Program, contact the Academic Excellence Office at 956-872-6440.

Curriculum Structure, Honors Instruction

The Honors Curriculum is concentrated in select STC courses designated as Core Curriculum and/or courses in the major. Honors sections are limited to Fall and Spring terms, while Minimesters and Summer offerings are unavailable. Competency-Based Education (CBE) Honors courses are also unavailable.

The Honors Curriculum will be presented to students in designated Honors class sections. Each Honors section is limited in enrollment, instructed by specifically chosen instructors, and incorporates enrichment activities or thematic exploration.

Honors Program Graduation

Students who complete the appropriate course of study for an Associate or Bachelor degree, earn 9 credit hours of Honors courses, and maintain a 3.25 or higher GPA, are eligible to graduate from the Honors Program.

Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society - Beta Epsilon Mu Chapter

The mission of Phi Theta Kappa is to recognize academic achievement of college students and to provide opportunities for them to grow as scholars and leaders.

To achieve this purpose, Phi Theta Kappa provides opportunities for the development of leadership and service, for an intellectual climate to exchange ideas and ideals, for lively fellowship for scholars and for stimulation of interest in continuing academic excellence.

Each semester invitation for membership is extended by the Beta Epsilon Mu Chapter to students who are currently enrolled, have completed at least 12 hours of coursework that may be applied to an associate degree and have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher.  After accepting membership, students are required to maintain a 3.25 cumulative Grade Point Average.

For further information, contact the Academic Excellence Office at 956-872-6440.

Valley Scholars Program

The Valley Scholars Program was established in 1997 to recognize and promote academic excellence by providing financial assistance, academic support services, mentoring and leadership development. The program provides a foundation that empowers students to excel in their academic achievements and to become leaders that will make significant contributions to their communities.

Valley Scholars are Hidalgo and Starr County high school graduates in the top 10 percent or within an 80 percent grade point average.  Students must have earned a 3.25 cumulative GPA for any college courses completed during high school.  Students in the program receive a scholarship, individualized advisement, academic excellence workshops, employment and leadership opportunities on campus and transfer scholarship opportunities.

Eligibility for the program is contingent on students being enrolled at the college on a full time basis, maintaining a GPA of 3.0 each semester and participating in scholastic and leadership activities. Importantly, the program encourages students to be actively engaged in community service projects. All community service projects are structured and utilize the team concept as a motivational tool.

The Valley Scholars immediately create a natural learning community that studies and works together and is able to build on the synergy of high expectations and team leadership.

For further information about this program, contact the Academic Excellence Office at 956-872-6440.

President's Honor Roll

South Texas College recognizes students with high academic achievement by naming them to the President’s Honor Roll. To receive this honor, a student must be enrolled in 12 or more credit hours and must have earned a grade point average (GPA) of a 4.0 on a 4.0 scale for the semester.

Vice President's Honor Roll

South Texas College recognizes students with high academic achievement by naming them to the Vice President’s Honor Roll. To receive this honor, a student must have completed a minimum of 12 or more credit hours for that semester at the College and earned a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.75 on a 4.00 scale.