Special Programs
Honors Program
San José City College students benefit from participating in the Honors Program by working individually with distinguished faculty to complete additional coursework to earn an Honors notation on their transcripts.
To qualify for the Honors Program, continuing students must have 1) a cumulative college GPA of 3.25 or higher, 2) completed 12 college units, and 3) be eligible for or have completed ENG 001A.
New students must have 1) a high school GPA of 3.25 or higher or a cumulative GED score of 3400 or higher and 2) an AP test of 3 or above or an SAT score of 1500 or higher, and 3) be eligible for or have completed ENGL 001A.
Students who apply to the Honors program maintain their eligibility for future semesters as long as their GPA remains at 3.25 or higher. Any transferrable course at SJCC is eligible for Honors designation with cooperation from the instructor. There is no limit to the number of Honors courses students may complete. For students seeking to apply to the University of California, taking an Honors course can make them more competitive upon application.
Students and faculty members complete an Honors Planning Contract in which they establish the parameters of the project and link it to Student Learning Outcomes. After successful completion of the project, students receive an Honors notation on their transcript next to the Honors course(s). Students who have completed 9 credits with Honors will receive an Honors medallion upon graduation.
For more information, contact the Division of Humanities & Social Sciences at (408) 288-3785.
Honors Society-Phi Theta Kappa
San José City College is a chartered member of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society. Students who participate in the Honors Program may be eligible to join the chapter. Membership in Phi Theta Kappa expands the students' knowledge in the four hallmarks of excellence: scholarship, leadership, fellowship, and service. In addition to the bond of membership, scholarships are available at many four-year institutions for Phi Theta Kappa transfer students.
For more information, contact the Division of Humanities & Social Sciences at (408) 288-3785.
Learning Communities
Learning Communities are designed to promote student success through integrated learning. In a learning community, students enroll together in two or more classes that are linked or clustered. Typically, these courses share an interdisciplinary theme. Instructors in learning communities collaborate on teaching these courses by structuring assignments, activities, and assessments in ways that improve student understanding of various subject areas.
There are many advantages to enrolling in a learning community; students can fulfill requirements for two or more courses in one organized package, gain a deeper understanding of materials, enhance critical thinking skills by synthesizing ideas from two or more disciplines, and build supportive friendships and a sense of community with classmates and instructors.
For additional information, please contact the Learning Communities office at (408) 288-3752.
METAS Center
The mission of METAS is to serve and empower all our students through an education that is rigorous, supportive, and just. We, the METAS staff, believe that each one of our students are agents of social change who, with the right support, will thrive as leaders, academics, research scholars, and global citizens.
To achieve our mission, METAS coordinates innovative instructional and support services available to all students on campus. This is made possible through collaboration with programs and departments across the SJCC campus and across institutions of higher education and public high schools. Together, we aim to increase retention, successful course completion, and persistence towards completion of a certificate, associate degrees, or university transfer requirements while disrupting the barriers that attempt to diminish our students’ educational and career aspirations
Visit the Metas Center (M-104) at the Multi-Disciplinary Building or contact staff at sjccmetas@sjcc.edu.
The GANAS HSI STEM Grant
GANAS is an HSI Title V Grant. The GANAS project systemically changes the way students experience their first year of college at SJCC, beginning before the first day of college through an innovative Integrated Academic Support System. The Project creates (1) new, high-quality academic pathways leading to exciting careers in-demand fields, (2) provides intensive academic and non-cognitive (e.g., study skills, motivation, sense of belonging) supports to ensure student success, and (3) invests deeply in faculty professional development as the priority means to more equitably educating students from diverse backgrounds. Intended outcomes include visibly increased postsecondary enrollment, persistence, completion and transfer achievement for Latinx and low-income students.
Visit the Metas Center (M-104) at the Multi-Disciplinary Building or contact staff at sjccmetas@sjcc.edu.
Peer-Led Team Learning
Peer-Led Team Learning (PLTL) is a learning and leadership program accomplished through a collaborative effort between the METAS Center and several disciplines. The central component of PLTL is weekly workshops facilitated by peer leaders for students enrolled in a variety of academic courses, mostly in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) and expanding in other disciplines. During the workshops, students participate in discussions, problem solving, and other activities to assist them in enhancing their subject matter knowledge, study skills, and course success. Peer leaders are a key component of PLTL. They are chosen amongst students who have previously excelled in PLTL courses and receive continued training.
Visit the Metas Center (M-104) at the Multi-Disciplinary Building or contact staff at sjccmetas@sjcc.edu.
Supplemental Instruction
Supplemental Instruction (SI) is an academic assistance program that uses peer-assisted workshops. SI workshops are regularly scheduled review sessions in which students compare notes, discuss readings, develop organizational tools, and predict test items. Students learn how to integrate course content and study skills while working together in a small group setting. The workshops are facilitated by SI leaders, students who have done well in the course and have a genuine desire to help their peers succeed. In addition to facilitating weekly sessions outside of class, SI leaders are embedded in classes; they attend all lectures and model good student behavior. In the words of the SI leaders, “Our mission of SJCC Supplemental Instruction is to engage math students in peer-assisted activities in a learner-centered environment. Students will cooperatively enhance their knowledge of the subject matter, develop study skills, and become independent learners to walk their path to higher learning.”
Visit the Metas Center (M-104) at the Multi-Disciplinary Building or contact staff at sjccmetas@sjcc.edu.
Offsite Programs
Several programs and classes are offered throughout the San José community in places such as public buildings, community resource centers, or schools. All of San José City College classes are open to admitted students who meet course prerequisites regardless of the location at which they are offered. There are some off site areas that are specific for memorandum of agreements (MOUs) as Lead Education Agency (LEAs) and other agreements that are for designated learning communities. Because the offerings are developed to respond to community requests or needs, the courses may begin or end at times other than the standard schedule on campus.
These offerings are listed in each semester's class schedule and at http://www.sjcc.edu.
Puente Program
Puente (which means “bridge” in Spanish) is a nationally recognized, two semester academic program designed to help students adjust to college life and prepare for transfer to four-year universities. The mission of Puente is to increase the number of underrepresented students who enroll in four-year universities, earn degrees, and return to the community as successful leaders and mentors. Puente was founded in 1981 to address the low rate of academic achievement among Mexican-American/Latino community college students. Puente is co-sponsored by the University of California and the California Community Colleges and is open to all students.
Puente provides an academic and supportive environment in which students plan and work toward achieving their educational and career goals in partnership with a counselor, culturally competent instructors, and community professionals. The program integrates writing instruction, counseling, and mentoring to provide a focused and engaging learning environment for students. An important part of the program is the mentoring component. Students are matched with professionals who provide them with knowledge and guidance about education, careers, and life, as well as leadership.
The program provides students with a strong academic foundation and offers a one-year learning community that consists of Phase I: English 1A linked with a Guidance Course and Ethnic Studies 37A Mexican American History I and Phase II: English 1C linked with Guidance Course and Ethnic Studies 37B Mexican American History II.
Puente is located on the first floor on the Cesar Chavez Library. For more information, contact the Office of Academic Success and Student Equity at jennie.tran@sjcc.edu or visit https://www.sjcc.edu/future-students/support-programs/puente.
Service Learning
Service Learning allows students to experience meaningful community service that is tied to their college studies. By connecting the classroom to real-world experiences, students enhance their understanding of course content and develop an appreciation for the importance of civic engagement.
The Service Learning Program encourages students to interact with diverse and often underserved people in a variety of workplace environments, to critically reflect on what happens there, and to integrate their experiences with classroom learning and their own lives.
Service Learning is located in the Student Center, Room SC115B. For more information, contact Blake.Balajadia@sjcc.edu.
Umoja Program
The Umoja Program is an academic learning community and resource. A Kiswahili word meaning “unity”, Umoja engages students in culturally responsive curricula, supporting the legacy of the African Diaspora. The program is dedicated to increasing retention and graduation rates of African-Americans as well as other underrepresented student populations at SJCC.
The program incorporates academic and personal counseling as student support services. Umoja advances academic excellence, cultural enrichment, community building and student leadership as its program goals.
For more information, contact the Office of Academic Success and Student Equity at jennie.tran@sjcc.edu