HCCE Frequently Asked Questions
Who can earn the Honors in Co-Curricular Engagement designation?
All University of Houston undergraduates in good academic standing with the University
of Houston may participate. Students who fulfill the requirements of the program and
have at least a 3.25 cumulative GPA for their last 54 hours of enrollment at UH will
receive the designation. Petitions will be accepted for students who do not meet the
GPA guidelines.
What counts for the HCCE designation?
There is a listing of approved programming for the Honors in Co-Curricular Engagement
designation that students can select from when working towards the credential. The
HCCE advisory board meets monthly and reviews co-curricular program proposals from
co-curricular mentors on a rolling basis for inclusion.
What if a co-curricular activity is not included on the pre-approved list?
Mentors of co-curricular activities and programs are encouraged to consult with the
director of Co-Curricular Honors (hcce@uh.edu) and apply online for inclusion in the HCCE designation program. The HCCE advisory
board meets monthly and reviews proposals on a rolling basis. University of Houston
faculty and staff directors of co-curricular activities or programs are the individuals
who request that a co-curricular activity or program be considered for approval.
What if I am completing an off-campus, co-curricular experience?
Off-campus, co-curricular activities such as internships, research, or service may
not have a UH Co-Curricular Mentor. In those instances, students may submit the Off-Campus Petition Form to request that an off-campus activity be counted towards their Honors designation.
Students will still be required to complete a reflection if their off-campus, co-curricular
experience is approved.
What if I have completed a HCCE activity but am not a HCCE participant?
No problem. Those students who have participated in activities supported by the designation
but have not applied to the program will receive an invitation to join or can apply
online. The activity must have been submitted by the co-curricular mentor in advance
and must have been approved. Also, students must complete the reflection component
in a timely manner. Students do not have to be pursuing the designation to participate
in approved mentored co-curricular activities.
How do I meet the Integrative Learning requirement?
All students completing the HCCE designation must complete a reflection component
that integrates all experiences completed for the Honors designation. This requirement,
which serves as a student’s gateway to integrative learning, guides students as they
consider what they learned through these various experiences, how these experiences
are connected and how each of these experiences contributed to their collective personal
and professional development. The preferred mechanism is an ePortfolio. Other reflective
and integrative assignments or projects offered by a student’s college or academic
program may be substituted for an ePortfolio, subject to approval by the HCCE designation
advisory board.
When do I submit my Integrative Learning requirement for approval?
The ePortfolio or other approved assignment should be started as early as possible
in your undergraduate career and must be completed and submitted to the HCCE advisory
board by the “W” drop deadline in the term in which you apply to graduate school.
How can I complete an ePortfolio for the Integrative Learning requirement?
All students earning the designation will be encouraged to develop an ePortfolio,
which integrates and showcases their engagement activities in novel ways. Students
who complete the integrative reflection requirement through the ePortfolio may do
so in one of two ways. The first is by enrolling in and completing the ePortfolio course
(HON 4130). Approved alternatives from the college of a student’s major can be used
to substitute for this course. To petition for approval, please submit the HCCE Exception Form. Any approved Integrative Learning assignment (including the ePortfolio) must include
all activities and experiences counting towards your HCCE designation.
When should students complete the Integrative Learning requirement?
Students are encouraged to begin the Integrative Learning requirement as early as
possible. This assignment is a valuable reflection tool that students will keep updated
throughout their undergraduate career. Students submit their final Integrative Learning
assignment for final approval in the term when they apply to graduate.
Can students earn points more than once for the same Co-Curricular Experience (for
instance, studying abroad more than once)?
Students may repeat experiences but may not earn more than four points for any one experience. Also, students must complete at least four unique experiences across two of the three categories of Co-Curricular Experiences. Students should communicate with the director of co-curricular Honors if they have questions.