The West Valley College Honors University Transfer Program is one of the institution’s primary instruments for advanced academic excellence and scholastic training within a critical-thinking mode. The program’s primary mission is to create and maintain an alternative curriculum model which, by virtue of its interdisciplinary structure, ensures course enrichment and accelerates the intellectual and creative development of high-ability students.
Program Description
The Honors University Transfer Program provides highly motivated students the opportunity to work closely with instructors and other motivated students in advanced levels of critical thinking, analysis, research, writing, and communication. The goal of the Program is to engage, support, and challenge self-motivated students to pursue a deeper education, enabling them to create opportunities for success in both their personal and professional lives. Honors courses offer enriched educational experiences through our Honors faculty, challenging coursework, typically smaller class sizes, and the opportunity to study with other highly motivated students.
Eligibility, Maintenance, and Completion
New and current students that meet the following criteria are encouraged to apply:
- Current WVC Student Qualification: Earn a GPA of 3.25 or high in at least 9 units of transferable coursework
- High School Student Qualification: Earn a high school cumulative GPA of 3.5
To maintain active membership in the program, students must maintain a 3.25 cumulative GPA or higher. We recommend that students complete at least 2 honors classes each academic year. Successful completion of the program will require each student to complete 15 units of honors coursework with a cumulative GPA of a 3.25 or better. There is no adverse consequence if you do not complete the 15 honors units.
Program Benefits
Students who complete the program will receive a special Honors Graduation Medal during commencement as well as a Permanent Notation on your Academic Transcript that you are an Honor Program Graduate. The honors program has special partnerships with a range of four-year universities that provide advantages in the application and scholarship process. Most notably, our partnership with UCLA’s Transfer Alliance Program significantly increases admission to UCLA College of Letters and Sciences (continue reading for more details). Other partnerships can be found on the Honors Program webpage.
UCLA Transfer Alliance Program (TAP) - Students who complete the Honors Program at West Valley College receive priority consideration for admission to UCLA College of Letters and Science. Admitted TAP students are also eligible to apply for scholarships reserved for the Transfer Alliance Program. Students are advised to contact the Honors Program Coordinator to discuss eligibility and participation. Learn more about the UCLA TAP.
Course Content and Methodology
The difference between the Honors curriculum and the traditional curriculum is qualitative. The Honors curriculum allows for more individualized, interdisciplinary, experiential, and collaborative learning experiences. Students will participate in advanced seminars as well as independent projects. Knowledge will be demonstrated primarily through written assignments and oral presentations.
Courses in the Honors Program have been selected to fulfill University of California and California State University general education requirements.