Program Structure
How the Program Works
The SF Honors Program is built around Honors Points — a flexible, accumulative credit system that recognizes your academic work, campus and community engagement, professional development, and service. Points reflect the breadth and depth of your Honors experience, not just your coursework. Each fall and spring semester, you are expected to earn at least 30 Honors Points and maintain a minimum 3.5 GPA to remain in good standing.
Earning Honors Points
You earn Honors Points by going beyond traditional college experiences through academic challenge, engagement, service, and leadership. Regular participation across these categories ensures steady progress toward your Honors credential. Points are documented through the Honors Canvas group. This is not a comprehensive list — for additional opportunities, reach out to the SF Honors Program Office at honors@sfcollege.edu, or explore the resources below.
Academic Challenge
- Honors Course — 10 pts per credit hour
- Honors Contract — 10 pts per credit hour
- Independent Study Project — 30 pts
- Submit work for publication, presentation, or competition — 5–15 pts
- Attend an academic conference — 10 pts per day
- Study Abroad — 10 pts per credit hour
- Virtual Exchange Program — 10 pts
Training & Certification
- Complete an open online course — 30 pts per course
- Complete a certificate program — 30 pts
- Internship or relevant employment — 30 pts
- Shadowing — 5 pts per session
Community Engagement & Service
- Volunteer or service work — 1 pt per hour
- Attend an academic, professional, or cultural event — 5–10 pts
- Participate in an academic, professional, or cultural event — 10–30 pts
Student Life & SF Community
- Membership in a college, academic, cultural, or professional organization — 5 pts
- Leadership in a college, academic, cultural, or professional organization — 10 pts
- Founding a college, academic, cultural, or professional organization — 15 pts
- Participate in an academic competition — 10 pts
Academic Success Planning
- Apply to a Florida college or university — 5 pts (max of 3)
- Apply to an out-of-state college or university — 10 pts (max of 3)
- Apply for a scholarship — 5 pts (max of 3)
- Apply for a nationally competitive scholarship — 10 pts (max of 3)
Graduating with Distinction
Your Honors designation is determined by how much you earn and how deeply you engage:
All three levels also require submission of materials to Canvas documenting your Honors involvement. Achieving Highest Honors additionally qualifies you for the UF Honors Pathway — a special designation that provides entry into UF's Honors program upon transfer to the University of Florida. See the UF Honors Pathway page for full details.
All three designations appear permanently on your SF transcript and diploma, and are recognized by transfer admissions committees as evidence of academic rigor and sustained engagement.
Am I on Track?
Use this checklist to make sure you are on track each semester:
- I am maintaining a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher
- I have earned at least 30 Honors Points this semester
- I have documented my Honors Points in Canvas
- I have met with Professor Keith or a Navigator to discuss my progress this term
Staying on Track
If your cumulative GPA falls below 3.5, or if you do not earn the required 30 Honors Points in a given semester, you may be placed on probationary status. A 3.5 GPA is required to graduate at any Honors level — maintaining it each semester is essential to staying on track.
After being notified of your probationary status, you will work with an SF staff member to build a clear plan and timeline to return to good standing.
Students who do not return to good standing within the defined window may be removed from the program.
Students on probation are not able to graduate with Honors or receive Honors Program scholarships. After returning to full status, you are again eligible to receive funding and graduate with Honors.
If a GPA or engagement concern arises, contact the Honors office as early as possible. We are here to help you stay on track.
Students Who Joined Before Fall 2026
The Honors Points structure described on this page — including the 30-points-per-semester requirement and the graduation thresholds of 150, 195, and 240 points — applies to all students who joined the SF Honors Program in Fall 2026 or later. If you enrolled in the program before Fall 2026, your requirements may differ. Schedule a meeting with Professor Keith to review your individual point totals, confirm your graduation pathway, and make a clear plan for completing your Honors credential under the requirements that apply to you.