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Honors Programs

The City College offers two college-wide honors programs for undergraduates, which are administered by the Honors Center (NAC 4/150; 212-650-6917; cityhonors@ccny.cuny.edu).

The City College Honors Program

The City College Honors Program offers selected, high-achieving students in all disciplines a particularly challenging academic program, intensive advising, and opportunities for personal, academic, and professional growth. The heart of the program is the honors curriculum, delivered through small, interactive classes that fulfill the general education (Pathways) requirements in an Honors context. Specific Pathways requirements are determined by a student's major. The honors-level Pathways classes provide enhanced and enriched learning experiences that create an excellent academic springboard for future goals, regardless of a student’s eventual specialization. Honors Classes are taught by outstanding faculty, who encourage student participation, inquiry, and rigorous study.

Retention in the City College Honors Program requires a cumulative G.P.A. of 3.0 and consistent full-time attendance. Upon successful completion of the honors program, the designation "Liberal Arts Honors" is entered on the student’s transcript.

To be eligible for the program as an entering first-year student, a student must have a high school average of at least 90%. Students can apply directly to the City College Honors Program here. Students who have applied to the Macaulay Honors College at City College will also be considered for admission. If you have applied for admission to the Macaulay Honors College at City College, please do not use the Honors Program application.

Incoming transfer students into with an associate’s degree and continuing City College students may also be admitted to the program at the discretion of the Honors director with a minimum G.P.A. of 3.6 should apply using the Honors Program Transfer/Continuing Student Application.

Continuing students must have a minimum G.P.A. of 3.6 and be able to take at least four Pathways courses in Honors. To apply as a continuing student, use the Honors Program Transfer/Continuing Student Application

The Macaulay Honors College at The City College

The City College participates in the university-wide Macaulay Honors College, which sponsors students on eight campuses at CUNY. The program accepts only new freshmen with outstanding academic high school records and encourages the highest level of academic accomplishment, cross-campus community engagement across the eight Macaulay cohorts, service, and leadership. A dedicated staff assists students with career exploration, and opportunities for academic, personal, and professional development.

Among Pathways courses for Macaulay students are four required special interdisciplinary seminars focusing on New York City. Additional honors-level Pathways courses are chosen from honors and other classes appropriate to the major in consultation your assigned Macaulay Honors College academic advisor.   

Students are expected to achieve a term G.P.A. of 3.3 for each of their first three semesters and maintain a G.P.A. of 3.5 from the second semester of their Sophomore year for each semester until graduation. Consistent full-time attendance is mandatory. Upon successful completion of the program, the designation "William E. Macaulay Honors College at The City University of New York" is entered on the student’s record. Macaulay students also receive a joint City College-Macaulay Honors College diploma.

The program admits only new first-year students. The Macaulay Honors College application can be accessed here. Check the website for the application deadline, which varies each year. Detailed information about additional benefits (including full-tuition scholarships) and requirements of the Macaulay Honors College can be accessed at www.macaulay.cuny.edu.

Research Honors in the Major

The City College is a research institution strongly committed to scholarship and research on the part of students as well as faculty. Macaulay Honors College scholars are required to complete a capstone as part of their program requirements. Honors Program students are strongly encouraged to engage in a capstone project. every school, division, and department has developed a structure within which qualified undergraduate students can pursue either independent study, scholarly or creative projects, or research projects under faculty guidance. Students can elect to assist a faculty member in a project. Students should have completed all basic requirements and be nearing completion of their specialization before they apply for independent study. Those who elect to pursue Honors in the Major should begin the departmental honors sequence well before they graduate, typically organizing it no later than their Junior year in tandem with their major advisor. Faculty will assist eligible students in devising and arranging for cross-disciplinary projects.