DEPARTMENTAL HONORS IN ELEMENTARY EDUCATION
Students who have achieved a 3.6 or higher Grade Point Average and completed 40 or more hours may choose to
distinguish themselves by earning Departmental Honors. This distinction indicates that students have participated in
intellectually rigorous research and scholarly activity that extends beyond the usual course requirements.
To initiate participation in Departmental Honors, complete the registration card in TC 305 (All departmental forms can
be obtained in TC 305). Registration must be submitted prior to any work toward Departmental Honors.
Students who complete Departmental Honors and maintain an overall GPA of at least 3.6 will be recognized at the
commencement ceremony.
Eligible Majors:
Elementary Education
Early Childhood Education
DUAL Elementary Education/Elementary Special Education
DUAL Early Childhood/Early Childhood Special Education
Project Expectations: Complete and Present Two Projects
Project Vision:
The project must move forward the student's knowledge, be directly related to the course and not be a
replication of a course assignment. The student will perform research beyond the requirements of the course,
use multiple outside resources and present the project.
Project Procedure:
1. Early in the semester (ideally within first four weeks), discuss and submit Project Proposal Form A to
instructor for approval. The project will be determined by the student and instructor and must be congruent
with the vision above. Once signed by student and instructor, submit to TC 305 for approval by the
Chairperson of the Department of Elementary Education. The approved proposal will be emailed to the
student, Honors College*, and instructor. The original is filed in the Department of Elementary Education
office.
2. Upon completion of project and presentation, obtain instructor’s signature on Project Completion Form B
and Departmental Honors Summary Form D. Submit Project Completion Form B to TC 305. The student is
responsible for the Departmental Honors Summary Form D until the completion of all projects and thesis.
3. To receive credit for project, the student must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.6 and earn a final course
grade of A, A-, B+, or B. No incompletes will be given on the projects. The student may withdraw the honors
project commitment for the course with a written statement no later than two weeks prior to the end of the
semester.
Designated Courses:
EDEL
231
244
252
260
300
301
340
350
351
381
400
401
402
440
442
464
EDRD
320
390
400
430
450
427
Thesis Expectations: Complete Thesis (HONR 499, 3 hours)
Thesis Vision:
The thesis must synthesize information from multiple sources into an appropriate intellectual or academic
framework and convey content of high quality. The student will articulate in writing an effective plan of study
and preparation, analyze and reflect critically upon personal development, as appropriate to the thesis, convey
the outcomes of the thesis through well crafted discussions, writings, presentations, or other activities, as
appropriate to the thesis, and articulate the outcomes of the thesis in an effective, refined written document.
Thesis Procedure:
1. The semester before registering for HONR 499, discuss and submit Thesis Proposal Form C (found in the
Departmental Honors in Elementary Education Thesis Guidelines packet) to a Department of Elementary
Education instructor for approval. The thesis will be determined by the student and instructor and must be
congruent with the vision above. Once signed by student and instructor, submit to TC 305 for approval by
the Chairperson of the Department of Elementary Education. The approved proposal will be emailed to the
student, Honors College*, and instructor. The original is filed in the Department of Elementary Education
office.
2. Register for HONR 499, Honors Thesis. Please note, two projects must be successfully completed and
presented, and Thesis Proposal Form C must be approved before registering for HONR 499.
3. The student and instructor should meet regularly (at least five meetings) to plan and discuss progress.
4. The thesis must be completed at least two weeks prior to the end of the semester. The thesis must be
presented prior to the end of the semester. Incompletes are strongly discouraged. The student must earn a
grade of A, A-, B+, or B on the thesis. A copy of the thesis must be sent to the Honors College.
5. Students who have completed all requirements for Departmental Honors in Elementary Education and have
maintained a cumulative GPA of at least 3.6 will submit Departmental Honors Summary Form D to TC 305 at
least eight weeks prior to graduation.
Additional Information:
 It is helpful be begin planning for Departmental Honors no later than the beginning of the junior year.
 *Departmental Honors applicants are not limited to members of the Honors College.
 *If students are in Honors College, one thesis may be used for both Departmental Honors and Honors College.
In this case, the supervisor of the thesis is not required to be a member of the Department of Elementary
Education. The approved application will be emailed to the student, Honors College, and instructor. The original
is filed in the Department of Elementary Education office.
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