Honors Certificate Program Technical Certificate

Do you want to add a little extra distinction to your degree? Add to your impressive college record with an Honors Certificate in your chosen field of study as an alternative to the Honors Diploma. The Honors Certificate is one of five tracks available to academically talented students.

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Getting Started: Fall Term

Aug. 19:  Application


Aug. 26:  Classes Begin

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Why Seminole State?

  • Dedicated faculty: Faculty are "scholar-practitioners" with industry experience as well as academic credentials.  
  • Affordable tuition: Seminole State has significantly lower costs than Florida's universities.
  • Industry involvement: Our industry-focused certificate programs offer excellent connections to Central Florida employers.
  • Hands-on experience: Practical, hands-on learning experiences prepare students to apply their knowledge to real-world situations.
  • Continuing education: Many credits earned in certificate programs can be applied toward an Associate in Science (A.S.) or bachelor's degree at Seminole State. 
  • Career advancement: Graduates are prepared for immediate entry into the workforce upon certificate completion.
Honors Program Certificate
Type: Technical Certificate
Major Code: HONC-INT
CIP: 1192401010

Program Description

Available Course Course Not Offered Fall 2024
This course orients Honors students to the College and the Honors program. The course focuses on leadership development, critical thinking skills and problem-solving. Study skills, presentation skills and research methods are also emphasized.
In this course students will examine United States history from before European contact to 1877. Topics will include but are not limited to indigenous peoples, the European background, the colonial period, the American revolution, the Articles of Confederation, the Constitution, issues within the new republic, sectionalism, manifest destiny, slavery, the American Civil War, and Reconstruction. Honors level content. Permission required from Honors Director. This course partially satisfies the writing requirement of S.B.E. 6A-10.030. This class satisfies the General Education State Core Social Science/History requirement for degree seeking students and partially satisfies the Florida state civic literacy requirement per Florida Statutes Section 1007.25 for all students.
In this course, students will trace the history of the United States from the end of the Reconstruction era to the Contemporary era. Topics will include but are not limited to the rise of industrialization, the United States’ emergence as an actor on the world stage, constitutional amendments and their impact, the Progressive era, World War I, the Great Depression and New Deal, World War II, the Civil Rights era, the Cold War, and the United States since 1989. Honors level content. Acceptance into the Honors program or permission from the Honors Director required. This course satisfies the General Education State Core Social Science/History requirement and partially satisfies the writing requirement of S.B.E. 6A-10.030. This course partially satisfies the Florida State Civic Literacy requirement per Florida Statutes.
This course examines the major political, social, economic, cultural, military and diplomatic development that shaped the development of the modern American nation since 1945, including World War II, the Cold War, the McCarthy Era, the complacent fifties, the turbulent sixties, the disillusioning seventies and the search for new directions since, to include the 1980's. Honors level content. Permission required from Honors director. This course partially satisfies the writing requirement of S.B.E. 6A-10.030.
This course will cover the role of women in American history from the colonial period to the present. Emphasis will be placed upon studying primary sources (historical artifacts) and secondary sources that demonstrate the contributions of women to the economic, social, and political development of the United States. This course partially satisfies the writing requirement of S.B.E. 6A-10.030.
This course begins with the origins of various tribes and a survey of ancient, pre-colonial civilizations in North America. Conflict and survival during European colonization are examined in detail as well as tribal responses to rebellion within the British Empire. Intertribal alliances and the United States Removal Policy warrant special attention, including the relationship between colonization of western territories and the U. S. Civil War. Government assimilation policies, intertribal activism and government reorganization of tribes will also be discussed. Native experiences during World War II and postwar activism will conclude the course. Social, political, economic and geographic diversity within and between tribes will be discussed throughout the course as will the struggle between colonization and decolonization. Honors level content. Permission required from Honors director. This course partially satisfies the writing requirement of S.B.E. 6A-10.030.
This course is a study of plant and animal interactions in their natural environment and the influence of man on these natural systems. Active learning components may include outdoor activities and/or field trips. Designed for non-majors. Honors level content. Permission of the Honors director is required.
This is an introduction to the basic principles of associative learning. The primary focus of the course is on how organisms learn about their relationships that occur in the environment. This will be achieved through studying the phenomena of classical and operant conditioning in animals and humans. Specific techniques for understanding behavior are presented. Honors level content. Permission required from the Honors Director.
This course provides students with an introduction to chemical principles and applications for the non-science major. Students will engage in problem solving and critical thinking while applying chemical concepts. Topics will include the scientific method of problem solving, classification of matter, atomic theory, the periodic table, gases, chemical reactions, energy, and chemical bonds. Honors level content. Acceptance into the Honors program or permission from the Honors Director required. This course satisfies the General Education State Core Natural Science requirement for degree seeking students.
This course is designed for students pursuing careers in the sciences or who need a more rigorous presentation of chemical concepts than is offered in an introductory course. Students will engage in problem solving and critical thinking while applying chemical concepts. Topics will include the principles of chemistry including atomic theory, electronic and molecular structure, measurement, stoichiometry, bonding, periodicity, thermochemistry, nomenclature, solutions, and the properties of gases. Laboratory experiments are chosen that support these topics. Lab fee required. Honors level content. Acceptance into the Honors program or permission from the Honors Director required. This course satisfies the General Education State Core Science requirement for degree seeking students.
This course serves as a continuation of CHM 2045C. Topics covered include chemical bonding models, properties of solutions, thermodynamics, reaction kinetics, chemical equilibrium, electrochemistry and nuclear chemistry. The course stresses integration of chemical knowledge. The laboratory is primarily qualitative analysis. Lab fee required.
In this course, students will learn the foundations of macroeconomics as the branch of economics concerned with how decision-making, in an environment of scarcity, maps onto the aggregate economy. Students will examine theories and evidence related to the following core set of topics: national income determination, money, monetary and fiscal policy, macroeconomic conditions, international trade and the balance of payments, and economic growth and development. Honors level content. Acceptance into the Honors program or permission from the Honors Director required. This course partially satisfies the writing requirement of S.B.E. 6A-10.030. This class satisfies the General Education State Core Social Science/History requirement for degree seeking students.
This course deals primarily with economic problems. Emphasis is given to markets, production functions, economic role of government, agricultural problems, labor-management relations, imperfect competition, interest and capital, economic security, international trade and finance and economic development. This course partially satisfies the writing requirement of S.B.E. 6A-10.030.
This course introduces students to rhetorical concepts and audience-centered approaches to writing including composing processes, language conventions and style, and critical analysis and engagement with written texts and other forms of communication. Honors level content. Acceptance into the Honors program or permission from the Honors Director required.This course partially satisfies the writing requirement of S.B.E. 6A-10.030. This course satisfies the General Education State Core Communication requirement for degree seeking students.
This course allows students to further develop their writing with an emphasis on process, rhetorical awareness, and research. Students will analyze a range of texts in order to strengthen critical thinking skills. This course partially satisfies the writing requirement of S.B.E. 6A-10.030. Permission required from Honors coordinator.
This course traces the rise of Western civilization from 1000 B.C.E. to the Renaissance, c. 1600. It emphasizes Greek civilization, including drama, mythology, philosophy and the origins of Greek democracy and then examines the late Roman Republic and early Roman Empire followed by the rise of Christianity, Islam, the Byzantine Empire, the "Flowering of Medieval Culture" and the Christian Synthesis of the late Middle Ages. The European Renaissance and the Reformation including social, political and philosophical issues will be discussed. This course partially satisfies the writing requirement of S.B.E. 6A-10.030.
This course covers the period from c. 1600 to the present. Topics include the scientific revolution, the rise of absolute monarchy in Europe, the 18th-century Enlightenment and the French Revolution. The impact of Napoleon is addressed as is the Industrial Revolution. Cultural ideas from Romanticism to social Darwinism are analyzed. European imperialism, World War I and the rise of fascism lead to a discussion of World War II. The Cold War and the modern period conclude the course. Permission required from Honors director. This course partially satisfies the writing requirement of S.B.E. 6A-10.030.
The design of this course creates a diverse learning community for students in the Liberal Studies program. The course is a multi-cultural and inter-disciplinary study of the arts, performing arts, literature, history and philosophy with special focus on race, gender and class. Honors level material. The course satisfies three credits of General Education requirements in Humanities and partially satisfies the writing requirement of S.B. E. 6A-10.030.
This course is designed to study representative works of the 20th and early 21st centuries in the performing arts, visual arts, music, literature, film and philosophy so that the student will appreciate the foundations of the 20th century and allow projections into the future. Global culturalism will be incorporated into the course content. The student will be introduced to Internet resources as they pertain to appropriate thematic materials. This course will also show how technology interacts with culture in the contemporary world. This course partially satisfies the writing requirement of S.B.E. 6A-10.030.
This course is designed to introduce the student to the contributions of women in the humanities. It will examine their contributions to literature, art and music from the Classical period to the present day. Students will learn about the production of the arts throughout these periods. Fine arts, music, and literature will feature. This course partially satisfies the writing requirement of S.B.E. 6A-10.030.
Honors Asian Humanities is designed to introduce the student to the cultures of India, Tibet and Southeast Asia. The basic myths underlying culture will be studied as well as their manifestation in the arts. The course will explore the development of Indian thought with special emphasis on early Buddhism and the development of Mahayana Buddhist schools. Representative works in literature, mythology, philosophy and the visual arts will be studied. Archeological rites in Cambodia, Burma and Thailand will be studied as examples of myth in architecture. Honors level content. Permission required from Honors director. This course partially satisfies the writing requirement of S.B.E. 6A-10.030.
This course is designed to explore American culture and artistic manifestations produced by Black Americans. Its goal is to promote increased awareness, understanding, and aesthetic appreciation of American heritage. European and American influences on modern cultural values will be examined. Contemplative objects representing both visual and performing arts will be studied in their historical context. The student will be introduced to Internet resources as they pertain to appropriate thematic materials. Honors level content. Acceptance into the Honors program or permission from the Honors Director required. This course partially satisfies the writing requirement of S.B.E. 6A-10.030.
This course is designed to introduce the student to Latin American cultures and to promote the understanding and appreciation of Latin American heritage. Ancient to modern cultures will be surveyed. Emphasis will be placed on cultural roots and myth as well as artists' commitment to social and political struggle. Representative works in the visual arts, literature and music will be studied. No knowledge of Spanish or Portuguese is required. Honors level content. Permission required from Honors director. This course partially satisfies the writing requirement of S.B.E. 6A-10.030.
In this course topics of current interest are presented in group instruction. This course may be taken four times for credit. Acceptance into the Honors program or permission from the Honors Director required.
This course is a diverse study of fine arts, performing arts, literature, history and philosophy from the prehistoric era to the Renaissance. Focus will be on multi-culturalism, examination of primary texts and inter-disciplinary influences on the formation of human culture. This course partially satisfies the writing requirement of S.B.E. 6A-10.030. The course is only open to students in the Honors program. Honors level content. Permission required from Honors director.
This Honors course will examine selectively the events, individuals and issues that have determined the course of various civilizations from ancient times to the Middle Ages. The contributions of Near Eastern and African civilizations as well as those of the Greek and Roman worlds will be studied. The influence of religion upon various civilizations, especially those of the Hebrews, Christians and Muslims will be addressed. An inter-disciplinary approach will highlight cultural achievements, including an examination of drama, architecture and poetry. Participants will be required to write a research paper and read passages from primary sources of classical literature. Honors level content. Permission required from Honors director. Satisfies the General Education requirement in history and partially satisfies the writing requirement of S.B.E. 6A-10.030.
This course is a diverse study of fine arts, performing arts, technological arts, literature, history and philosophy from the Renaissance to the present. The focus will be on multi-culturalism, examination of primary texts and interdisciplinary influences on the formation of human culture. Satisfies three credits of General Education requirements in Humanities and partially satisfies the writing requirement of S.B.E. 6A-10.030. The course is only open to students in the Honors program. Honors level content. Permission required from Honors director.
The purpose of this course is to elevate the basic skills of speaking and listening to a level appropriate for Honors students. While the course will satisfy the state requirements for preparing and delivering public speeches with clarity and variety and listening with literal and critical comprehension, the Honors level will focus on those skills in an advanced setting of the controversial arts, including critical thinking, dialectic, rhetoric and argumentation. In preparation, Honors students will study original materials from Aristotle to current research in argumentation and debate. Honors level content. Permission required from Honors director. Satisfies General Education requirement in oral communications.
This course is an introduction to major issues and theories of world politics. Topics include state and non-state actors, the nature of power, causes of war and peace, terrorism, international organizations, finance and trade, economic development, globalization, human rights and environmental concerns. This course partially satisfies the writing requirement of S.B.E. 6A-10.030.
This course will explore trends and influences in literature from World War II to the present. Contemporary literature will be examined as a reflection of the philosophy of modern life and as a reflection of the student's world. This course partially satisfies the writing requirement of S.B.E. 6A-10.030.
This course is designed to create an awareness of the ideas, techniques and historical relationships in world literature from the Enlightenment to the present. The Enlightenment, Romanticism, the 19th Century (Realism and Naturalism) and Modernism will be studied. This course partially satisfies the writing requirement of S.B.E. 6A-10.030.
This course is a study of the fundamental topics in advanced algebra with an emphasis on applications, the understanding of the function concept and manipulative skills. Major topics include operations on algebraic expressions and complex numbers, solving polynomial equations and inequalities, absolute value equations and inequalities and rational equations and inequalities, applications, functions, exponents and logarithms, graphs of polynomial, exponential and logarithmic functions and systems of equations and inequalities. The use of graphing calculators will be incorporated throughout the course. Honors level content, including enhanced use of technology and critical thinking skills in application problems will be essential components of this course. Permission required from Honors director. This class satisfies the General Education State Core Mathematics requirement for A.A. degree seeking students.
In this course, students will develop problem solving skills, critical thinking, computational proficiency, and contextual fluency through the study of limits, derivatives, and definite and indefinite integrals of functions in one variable, including algebraic, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions, and applications. Topics will include limits, continuity, differentiation and rates of change, optimization, curve sketching, and introduction to integration and area. A graphing calculator will be used throughout the course. Honors level content. Acceptance into the Honors program or permission from the Honors Director required. This course satisfies the General Education State Core Mathematics requirement for degree seeking students.
Using the scientific method, critical thinking skills, and data analysis, this course will examine the fundamental processes of the ocean system, composed of an atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere, through time. The course will also explore interactions between these spheres, including critical analysis of scientific theories and emphasize oceanic connections with humanity. Laboratory experiments are chosen that support these topics. Lab fee required. Honors level content. Acceptance into the Honors program or permission from the Honors Director required. This course satisfies the General Education State Core Science requirement for degree seeking students.
In this course, students will gain an introduction to the scientific study of human behavior and mental processes. topics may be drawn from historical and current perspectives in psychology. Honors level content. Acceptance into the Honors program or permission from the Honors Director required. This course partially satisfies the writing requirement of S.B.E. 6A-10.030. Some sections of PSY 2012 have service-learning components. Please refer to class notes in schedule of classes for details. This course satisfies the General Education State Core Social Science/History requirement for degree seeking students.
The basic principles of political thought are studied in this course. Students will examine the state and the relationship between the individual and the state. Topics such as authority, consent, freedom and obligation are examined. Honors level content. Permission required from Honors director. This course partially satisfies the writing requirement of S.B.E. 6A-10.030.
In this course, students will be introduced to the nature of philosophy, philosophical thinking, major intellectual movements in the history of philosophy, including topics from the western philosophical tradition, and various problems in philosophy. Students will strengthen their intellectual skills, become more effective learners, and develop broad foundational knowledge. Honors level content. Acceptance into the Honors program or permission from the Honors Director required.
This honors calculus-based course serves as the first in a two-part series, covering topics like kinematics, dynamics, energy, momentum, rotational motion, fluid dynamics, oscillatory motion, and waves. Designed for science and engineering majors, the course integrates critical thinking, analytical skills, and real-world applications. Lab fee required. Honors level content. Acceptance into the Honors program or permission from the Honors Director required. This course satisfies the General Education State Core Natural Science requirement for degree seeking students.
This honors physics course is designed for science, engineering and mathematics majors. Topics studied include electricity, magnetism and topics of electromagnetism. Lab fee required.
In this course, students will investigate how the national government is structured and how the American constitutional republic operates. It covers the philosophical and historical foundations of the American government, including but not limited to the Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution and all its amendments, and the Federalist Papers. The course examines the branches of government and the government’s laws, policies, and programs. It also examines the ways in which citizens participate in their government and ways their government responds to citizens. Honors level content. Acceptance into the Honors program or permission from the Honors Director required. This course partially satisfies the writing requirement of S.B.E. 6A-10.030. This class satisfies the General Education State Core Social Science/History requirement for degree seeking students and partially satisfies the Florida state civic literacy requirement per Florida Statues Section 1007.25 for all students.
In this course, students will utilize descriptive and inferential statistical methods in contextual situations, using technology as appropriate. The course is designed to increase problem-solving abilities and data interpretation through practical applications of statistical concepts. This course is appropriate for students in a wide range of disciplines and programs. Topics include descriptive statistics, probability and probability distributions, estimation, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, two-sample inferences, and correlation and regression. Honors level content. Acceptance into the Honors program or permission from the Honors Director required. This course satisfies the General Education State Core Mathematics requirement for degree seeking students and is the gateway course for majors in the Statistical Reasoning pathway. It is recommended that students without college-level math credits have completed a secondary-level course in Geometry, Algebra 2, Precalculus, Calculus, or Statistics with a grade of a “B” or higher before taking this course.
This course is applied sociology that will pursue a unique, original research project each semester. It provides students with an in-depth understanding of social scientific research through experimental investigation. Utilizing the research project as a point of focus, this course includes training in all aspects of empirical research, including literature review, methodology, data collection, data coding, data analysis and presentation of results. Previous coursework in sociology or psychology is recommended. Honors level content. Permission required from Honors director.
The purpose of this course is to improve the basic skills of speaking and listening. Class exercises emphasize preparing and delivering public speeches, speaking with clarity and variety and listening with literal and critical comprehension. This course addresses communication in the personal, career and global spheres.
This course is an introductory survey of sociology covering its scope, methods and general principles. Topics emphasized include group behavior, race relations, population, social institutions, social change and social stratification. The purpose of the course is to assist the student in acquiring an understanding of society. This course partially satisfies the writing requirement of S.B.E. 6A-10.030. Note: This course contains Honors level material. Acceptance into the Honors Program or Permission from the Honors Director required.
This survey course traces the historical background and development of Christianity from the first century to the Medieval period. There is an emphasis on the Hebraic roots of Christianity, the political and social setting of Palestine during the time of Jesus of Nazareth and the problems involved in the so-called, "Quest for the Historical Jesus." The missionary work of St. Paul is closely examined, as is emerging Christian doctrine between 100 and 500 C.E. Philosophical and spiritual alternatives to Christianity are also analyzed, as is Christianity's relationship to the Roman and Byzantine Empires. Everyday life and forms of worship among Christians are studied, as is Christianity as a political institution. While matters of faith and doctrine are discussed, the course perspective is historical rather than religious. Honors level content. Permission required from the Honors director. This course partially satisfies the writing requirement of S.B.E. 6A-10.030.
The Honors Seminar course is designed to address contemporary issues, faculty areas of expertise, current intellectual trends and topics of interest to Honor students. Seminar discussions focus on topics or themes and lectures by guest speakers often augment the course.
Honors Seminar II is a continuation of Honors Seminar. It is designed to address contemporary issues, faculty areas of expertise, current intellectual trends and topics of interest to Honors students. Seminar discussions focus on topics or themes and lectures by guest speakers often augment the course.
Honors Seminar III is an in-depth study of contemporary issues, faculty areas of expertise, current intellectual trends or topics of interest to Honors students. Seminar discussions focus on topics or themes and lectures by guest speakers often augment the course.
This course is scheduled for individual students who wish to explore topics not covered in the curriculum. The student must present a design of the study (learning contract) to the faculty member who is to direct the work. Approval from the dean or director is required prior to registration.
In this course topics of current interest are presented in group instruction. This course may be taken four times for credit.
In this course topics of current interest are presented in group instruction. This course may be taken four times for credit.
The student will complete, under the guidance of a faculty mentor, a project that will define and execute a research question. Guidelines will be established regarding format, standards and review of projects.
This course is a culminating experience for students in the Grindle Honors Institute. Students will reflect on and articulate their academic and personal growth through the development of an Honors Portfolio. Through documentation of academic and co-curricular experiences, students connect their undergraduate experience to the objectives of the Grindle Honors Institute.
This Honors travel/study course combines preparation on campus, travel and study. Content is variable depending on the program in which the student enrolls and the specific topics to be covered. Students must be 18 years of age on or before departure. Permission of the Honors director required.
Total Credits: 13

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Tuition and Fees

 Technical Certificate12 Credits18 Credits24 Credits28 Credits
Tuition and Fees$1,253$1,879$2,505$2,923
Books and Supplies$1,000$1,ooo$1,000$1,000
Total$2,253$2,879$3,505$3,923

For more information on Seminole State's tuition and fees, please see the current fee schedule.

* Tuition costs are based on the current term, with an equal number of credit hours per term for in-state students. Lab fees and other fees that may be assessed at the time of registration may be viewed in the College fee schedule. As Seminole State is a commuter college with no residence halls on its campuses, costs for room and board are not calculated.