Academic Engagement
The Honors Program
The FSCJ Honors Program offers A.A. degree-seeking students the opportunity to participate in a vibrant learning community that is designed to foster academic excellence. Students enroll in intellectually engaging honors courses taught by exceptional faculty and share the experience with other academically motivated and talented students. Students must apply to the Honors Program and may choose between two graduation distinctions: the Honors Diploma and the Honors Certificate.
Honors Diploma Graduation Distinction
The Honors Diploma is awarded to students who complete the following requirements:
At least 18 credit hours of honors coursework including IDH 2931
A cumulative GPA of at least 3.2
A minimum of 50 service-learning hours
The Honors e-Portfolio
Honors Certificate Graduation Distinction
The Honors Certificate is awarded to students who complete the following requirements:
At least 12 credit hours of honors coursework including IDH 2931
A cumulative GPA of at least 3.2
A minimum of 20 service-learning hours
The Honors e-Portfolio
FSCJ Honors Program graduates will receive special regalia for graduation, a note on the Commencement program and distinctions on their transcripts.
For more information, please contact the FSCJ Honors program at Honors@fscj.edu.
Global Learning Programs
Florida State College at Jacksonville’s Office of Global Learning entails four key program areas: 1) Study Abroad/Study Away, 2) Global Scholars Distinction, 3) Virtual Exchanges, and 4) Co-Curricular Globally Focused Learning Opportunities. The Office of Global Learning is located in the Center for Academic Engagement at our South Campus in Building G, Room 206.
Florida State College at Jacksonville offers opportunities for students to travel overseas through our study abroad programming. FSCJ’s study abroad programs are transformative academic experiences with a global learning perspective. While abroad, students gain knowledge about other societies and cultures as well as themselves. These programs provide the participants with a unique opportunity to encounter art, architecture, cuisine, history, language, religion, and philosophy from different peoples and cultures. Our Study Away programming, which provides students the opportunity to broaden their experiences without leaving the United States, offers many benefits similar to those in our study abroad program. As part of our robust study abroad and study away programming, FSCJ offers community service-based programs, in addition to traditional programs, that enable students to impact communities abroad and expand their global perspective. Students participating in these programs receive the Global Citizen Award to recognize their commitment to community service as part of these programs. FSCJ’s faculty-led and community service-based, short-term study abroad and study away programs are committed to providing safe, affordable opportunities for all students.
In addition to study abroad and study away programs, the Office of Global Learning supports the Global Scholars Distinction program. In cooperation with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, World View, this program is dedicated to offering students a global education, resources, and best practices, which include globally focused coursework as well as cultural learning activities and experiences designed to help them succeed in a diverse world. It provides students with a way to participate in classes, programs, and experiences that promote global awareness, appreciation for various cultures, language/communication awareness, and cultural engagement. Students who complete the Global Scholars Distinction requirements earn a printed certificate and digital badge, a specialized designation on their FSCJ transcript, recognition from UNC World View, and special recognition at graduation, which includes a Global Scholars medallion.
The Office of Global Learning also supports faculty-led virtual exchange programs. Facilitated using a collaborative online platform such as MS Teams, virtual exchange programs enable FSCJ students to interact with other students attending colleges and universities across the globe. Virtual exchange participants learn about different people, cultures, and languages through a combination of asynchronous and collaborative learning. Utilizing the SUNY COIL model for Collaborative Online International Learning, FSCJ connects students and professors to collaborate and learn through creative projects and unique programming focused on understanding how each culture is represented within the global community and addressing real-world challenges that affect learners and professionals worldwide. During virtual exchanges, students address topics and themes related to learning outcomes aligned with the course in which they are enrolled, expanding their learning beyond the traditional classroom.
The Office of Global Learning plans, facilitates, and supports globally focused co-curricular learning activities and events both on and off campus. Each year, the Office of Global Learning hosts the Annual International Education Conference, which highlights various guest speakers and presenters through networking events and professional development sessions focused on the key topics of study abroad/study away, global learning, and citizen diplomacy. This free event is open to the community and provides opportunities to learn about global trends and available programs offered by FSCJ’s Office of Global Learning and other community partners. In addition, the Office of Global Learning is committed to offering local community service opportunities that foster interaction with the various cultures and programs represented within the community and offer learning seminars to enhance understanding of all peoples and cultures. The Global Explorers Club is another way of engaging students and developing awareness of cultural perspectives through student-led activities and exciting opportunities to get involved. Through a combination of training, special events, and community volunteerism, the Office of Global Learning strives to engage students with the world around them through globally focused activities. These events are posted in the International and Cultural Education section of the College’s events calendar.
For additional information about the Office of Global Learning, its programs, or ways to get involved, please contact the Office of Global Learning at global@fscj.edu.
Academic Service-Learning and Civic Engagement
Academic service-learning is a teaching and learning strategy that integrates meaningful community service with academic learning goals and critical reflection to enrich the student learning experience and teach civic responsibility. Service-learning is considered a high-impact educational practice by the American Association of Colleges and Universities. Service-learning engages students in the course materials, contributes to their personal and career development, promotes civic participation, and strengthens FSCJ’s relationship with our local community. Students who participate in service-learning gain skills in critical thinking, communication and teamwork.
Located in FSCJ’s Administrative Offices, the Center for Civic Engagement advances the College’s strategic priorities regarding service, success, and community. Civic engagement is a broader category that includes service-learning and refers to individual and collective actions that address issues of public concern. The Center supports events and initiatives that provide opportunities for the FSCJ community to be involved in improving the broader community.
Faculty who choose to integrate service-learning into their instruction will describe their expectations and requirements in the course. For example, students are expected to sign an Ethics and Commitments Agreement Form, engage in service to a community organization or event for a specified amount of time, acquire a supervisor’s signature on the Service-Learning Time Log and/or FSCJ SERVES to verify their hours, participate in a reflection activity about their service-learning and submit the completed forms to faculty.
The FSCJ Center for Civic Engagement can assist students who are assigned service-learning in their courses by connecting them to service opportunities in the community. The Center also assists faculty and students with the supporting documentation [Ethics and Commitments Agreement Form, FSCJ SERVES (serve.fscj.edu) and Service-Learning Time Log]. Additionally, the Center conducts class presentations on service-learning and assists faculty and students with questions about this educational practice.
For additional information, visit the Center for Civic Engagement website or email servicelearning@fscj.edu.