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College of Education and Human Services
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Honors in the Major Elementary Education (K-6)

The Honors Program at UNF is designed for the student who is intellectually mature and seeks the challenge of academic work that is different from the traditional course of study. It offers students a close collegial relationship with the University's top professors and with each other. There are two types of honors programs at the University of North Florida.

  • The first is a lower-level program open to freshmen and sophomores offered by the Hicks Honors College.
  • The second is the "Honors in the Major" program open to upper-level students in the College of Education and Human Services.

A student does not have to be in the lower-level Hicks Honors College to enroll in the upper-level "Honors in the Major" program. More information on admission requirements and procedures for applying to the program can be obtained from your academic advisors in OASIS.

Program Requirements

The Honors in the Major in Elementary Education (K-6) is available by application to advanced students in the major who seek the challenge of completing an action research project during their student teaching internship. This program is especially recommended for students who are interested in pursuing graduate work or who aspire to one day being teacher leaders in their schools.

To earn Honors in the Major, students with a minimum 3.2 GPA may apply at the end of the first semester of their junior year. Students will participate in the program during the Fall semester of their senior year.

If accepted into the program, students will need to complete the following requirements:

  1. Attend two of the following during the second semester of their junior year: a Hicks Honors College seminar, an academic speaker hosted by a unit in the COEHS, or an academic speaker hosted by another unit in or outside of the university with prior approval from the Elementary Education Honors in the Major Advisor. 
  2. Enroll in the honors section of the final Elementary Field Experience prior to the internship of their senior year. A grade of a B must be earned in all courses after being admitted to the Honors in a Major, and
  3. Successfully complete an action research during their student teaching internship.

Students who complete these requirements will have Honors in the Major noted on the transcript and diploma.

How to Apply

If you are a student who has a minimum 3.2 GPA and are willing to meet the program requirements as outlined above, you can apply for the Honors in the Major program at the end of your first semester of your junior year.

Before you start the Application, be prepared to provide:

  • names and email addresses of two faculty members who have taught you and given you a final grade, for contact as recommendations.
  • answer two essay questions (maximum 500 words each)
    • Why do you want to be in the Honors in the Major? What proposed inquiry are you considering for your research project or service learning project? What do you hope to gain from the experience? How do you hope this project contributes to the education field? 
    • It is the opinion of some people that leaders are born and that leadership cannot be taught. What is your opinion about this statement? Citing one or more examples of leadership, explain why or why not.

Fall Deadline

Complete the Application no later than the last Friday in September of your Junior Year by filling out the Qualtrics Survey below.

Spring Deadline

Complete the Application no later than the last friday in March of your Junior Year by filling out the Qualtrics Survey below.

Apply Now

Contact

For further information please contact HIM Advisor, Dr. Diane Yendol-Hoppey, at Diane.yendol-hoppey@unf.edu