Before applying for TAP membership, an Honors/Scholars Program should be in operation a minimum of two full years so that a track record of course offerings and resource support to the faculty director and staff has been established. This longevity ensures the program has proven itself on the campus as a viable option for students to pursue and allows the Review Committee to better assess the program.

Once you have reviewed and completed the following documents, please submit your application to Melissa Nessman.

Criteria for TAP Membership (includes UCLA agreement)
updated November 9, 2022

Application Materials

Application
Honors Course Criteria form

Applications for TAP Membership are accepted during the months of March, April, and May. They are reviewed during the spring and summer. The College will be notified with a decision no later than the end of September.

What are the minimum acceptable requirements to qualify for membership?

Each community college’s Honors/Scholars Program must require, at a minimum, completion of 15 transferable semester units of Honors/Scholars coursework (same as the Honors Transfer Council of California and the National Collegiate Honors Council). GPA requirements are at the discretion of each community college.

Please note, effective May 2026, one-year transfer students will not be eligible for TAP certification. A one-year transfer only attends the community college or four-year institution for one year after high school graduation. This category is not based on units earned. For students applying during the upcoming cycle (to begin enrollment at UCLA in Fall 2027), the policy states:

By the end of Spring 2027 the student has been a college student for a minimum of two years after high school completion.