Distinguished Scholars' Certificate

The Distinguished Scholars Certificate (DSC) program provides high-achieving students with the opportunity to participate in and contribute to a stimulating academic experience with a supportive community of peers and professors. The program encourages a campus climate of intellectual curiosity and academic achievement.

Distinguished Scholars Certificate students are eligible for membership in the Honors Council. They are encouraged to apply for Honors housing and a competitive scholarship.

In addition, students who successfully complete the Distinguished Scholars Certificate program in conjunction with a Castleton degree will receive the DSC designation on their transcript when they graduate.  

To earn the DSC, a student must

• Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.50 or better.
• Be nominated by a Castleton faculty member, using the form below. Students may initiate the process by asking a faculty member to complete the form.
• Complete 12 credits of Honors (HON) courses anytime throughout their undergraduate career. Courses may be selected from any combination of:
- An Honors-designated Connections I seminar (by placement in the first year)
- An Honors-designated Connections II seminar (in the sophomore year)
- HON 2020 Special Topics in Honors. These seminars examine different topics. Each course fulfills a General Education requirement in an Area of Understanding. Several courses are offered each semester. Students are welcome to take more than one HON 2020 course in a single semester.

Faculty should submit completed nomination forms to Dean Francesca Catalano at Francesca.catalano@castleton.edu.