Honors Institute

Push yourself further. If you're the kind of learner who digs deeper, asks more, and wants to get the most out of your college experience, you're in the right place. The Monroe Community College Honors Institute gives you space to grow, lead, and shine.

Does This Sound Like You?

I’m curious and like asking big questions
I want smaller classes with more discussion
I’m motivated to do more than the minimum
I’m thinking about transferring or building a strong résumé
I want to work closely with supportive professors

Honors Institute

Location:
Brighton Campus
Building 5-230

585-292-3351

honorsstudies@monroecc.edu

Explore your interests, create your own projects, and work with professors who want to see you succeed. The Honors Institute gives you the freedom to go further.

Eligibility

You can join the Honors Institute if you meet one of these:

Earned a high school GPA of 87 or higher
Graduated in the top 15% of your high school class
Earned a GPA of 3.0 or higher in MCC courses
Earned a GPA of 3.0 or higher from another college
Have a recommendation from one of your MCC instructors

Benefits

Smaller, discussion-based classes
Create your own Honors Projects
Personalized mentoring from professors
Early registration and special recognition
Honors Certificate or Diploma
Stronger transfer and career opportunities

Graduation Requirements

To earn the Advanced Studies Certificate, you must complete:

15-19 credits
Earn a 3.5 GPA or higher
Demonstrate significant involvement in activities recognized by the Honors Coordinator

Built for People Who Want More

Josh didn’t just want to take classes—he wanted to be challenged. In the Honors Institute, he found the fast pace, deep discussions, and engaged learning he craved.

MCC's Honors Institute offered the more demanding path that I'd wanted. Classes are small. The pace of learning is fast. And the need to be fully engaged in course discussions and in the entire learning process made the demands and the rewards even more intense.

Josh Torcello

MCC Alumni

Josh, now an MCC alumnus, studied applied economics and management at Cornell University. MCC's Honors Institute experience played a major role in his decision to apply there because the demanding honors courses prepared him well for the rigors of Cornell.

How do I register for an honors course?

All registration for Honors courses goes through the Honors Institute office. Either complete a course application for the upcoming semester (available at various campus locations) or stop by the Honors Institute (5-212) to pick up and complete an application. If you have any questions, please contact the Honors Institute at 585-292-3351 or honorstudies@monroecc.edu.

What’s the difference between an honors section and an honors seminar?

There are two kinds of Honors classes:

Honors Sections: Regular MCC classes taught at a deeper level, often with chances to explore your own interests.

Honors Seminars: Small, unique classes (only 17 students max) created just for the Honors Institute. They focus on current issues or topics you won’t find in other MCC courses.

What’s the difference between honors courses and the Honors Institute?

Think of the Honors Institute like an academic department—kind of like Biology or Business. You can take Honors classes without being in the full program. But if you want to go further, you can "minor" in Honors by joining the Institute and working toward the Honors Studies Certificate. This is a SUNY-approved certificate you earn along with your associate degree.
The Institute also hosts special events, offers advising, and runs a student group called the Honors Council.

Common search terms

Honors Institute

Honors Institute

Your Honors Experience

Eligibility

Benefits

Graduation Requirements

Built for People Who Want More

Honors FAQs

Inspiring
Every Day. Starting
with You.

Honors Institute

Honors Institute

Your Honors Experience

Eligibility

Benefits

Graduation Requirements

Built for People Who Want More

Honors FAQs

Inspiring Every Day. Starting with You.

Inspiring
Every Day. Starting
with You.