Skip to Main Content
Coggin College of Business
oneColumn

Honors in Marketing

About the Program


To better prepare and serve our growing number of exceptional marketing students, the UNF Marketing and Logistics department has created the Honors in Marketing Program.

This program:

  • Extends and enhances the experience of our most exceptional students.
  • Provides real-world opportunities for experiential learning through professional internships, case projects, and service opportunities.
  • Builds and supports ongoing relationships with regional businesses.
  • Increases employment opportunities for marketing students.

The honors in marketing program helped me build my confidence in the professional business world Ashton Elliot cohort 3


The program consists of all courses required to graduate with a marketing degree and, through enrollment in electives, the program expands students’ knowledge, skills, and engagement the Honors course, a professional internship, and a service component. Successful completion of the program earns “Honors in Marketing” on the student’s transcript.

  • Application Requirements

    Application Requirements and Process


    The Honors in Marketing program uses an interview-based selection process. All applicants must have an overall or UNF GPA (whichever is higher) of at least 3.5 and will have completed or be enrolled in Principles of Marketing (MAR 3023) and have or will conclude the course with at least a “B.” During the application process you may request an exception to one or more of these criteria.

    To apply, answer questions below and submit your application. You can get more information about Honors on the FAQ page or contact us at marketing.honors@unf.edu.

    1. Your Name and N#.
    2. Confirm you are a declared marketing major with at least two non-summer semesters left at UNF not counting the semester in which you are applying to this program. This helps ensure you have the ability to complete all parts of the program prior to graduation.
    3. Affirm you will meet the GPA requirements of an overall GPA or UNF GPA (whichever is higher) of 3.5 or higher by graduation. You do not need to report your GPA, just affirm your GPA is at or on track to meet the minimum required before you graduate.
    4. Affirm you have completed, or are enrolled and will complete, Principles of Marketing (MAR 3023 or equivalent) with at least a “B” prior to admission into the program. You may be enrolled in MAR 3023 during the application process, but acceptance to the program is contingent on completing MAR 3023 with at least a “B.”
    5. Provide a written statement (400 words) that describes what experience or motivation led you to major in marketing and of how you expect to contribute to the program and to the company offering you an internship. Also, list jobs you have had (if any). See sample application (link below) for more instructions.

    Download a sample application form for detailed instructions.

    After receipt of your application, all qualified applicants will be reviewed by the Honors Committee and prioritized based on the information provided in the application and academic records. Higher ranking applicants will then be interviewed. Interviews are granted to a number of students defined by the Honors Committee on a space available basis.

    Based on the application and interviews, well-qualified applicants will be invited to join the Honors program. If the committee determines there are insufficient qualified applicants, not all openings will be filled.

    At the end of the interview process, the program head communicates the results back to applicants and, if requested, will provide in-person feedback on the applicant’s submission. Students may reapply for the program but may only reapply once.

  • Requirements

    Requirements for Graduating with Honors in Marketing


    To receive Honors in Marketing, the following requirements must be met at graduation.

    1. An overall GPA or UNF GPA (whichever is higher) of 3.5 or higher.
    2. Completed all courses required to graduate with a marketing degree, including completion of the required Honors course and internship course with a B or better.
    3. Active member of an approved business club for at least two semesters. Approved clubs include UNF Sales Club, UNF AMA, Jacksonville AMA, Women and Business, or other general business club as approved by the Honors program committee (currently waived for COVID).
    4. Completion of 100 hours of an approved service activity. Approved activities include serving as a marketer, providing general assistance, being a tutor, or another on- or off-campus service activity with a not-for-profit as approved by the Honors program committee.
    5. Completion of a paid, professional Honors internship or a research-based directed independent study (if student’s career path is to seek a doctorate). The Honors program will provide interview opportunities for the Honors internships. Internships may be unpaid per COVID policy waiver from Honors committee.

Application Deadlines:

  • Fri,Mar 13, 2026 — Honors program application is due.
  • Fri,Mar 27, 2026 — Interviewees selected and notified.
  • Fri, Apr 3, 2026 — Interviews completed, candidates selected and notified. 
  • Mon, Apr 13, 2026 — Honors candidates can register for Honors in Marketing Course.

BECOME A MARKETING HONORS SCHOLAR

Apply Now

osprey bird logo

Internships


Each Honors candidate will complete a paid professional internship of at least 200 hours. Students may complete an internship in any location around the world, but the internship must meet the below requirements and be approved by the Honors program head prior to the student starting the internship. Past internships do not qualify. If the student currently works in a role similar to a qualified internship, the Honors program head will work with the student’s manager to define a suitable Honors internship project.

i joined an amazing group of students took on projects in non-profit social media marketing and market research and completed an internship that led to the start of my career Lorianne Copra cohort 2

This program:

  • Extends and enhances the experience of our most exceptional students.
  • Provides real-world opportunities for experiential learning through professional internships, case projects, and service opportunities.
  • Builds and supports ongoing relationships with regional businesses.
  • Increases employment opportunities for marketing students.

Organizations may request Honors student(s) for an internship by emailing the Honors program at marketing.honors@unf.edu.

  • Employers

    For Employers

    Honors internships are designed to be flexible. As such, we worked with employers to understand—and remove—some of the most often encountered barriers.

    • Internships can start and end at any time and, therefore, can cross semesters.
    • The position inside your company can be a formal internship, a part-time role, or even a temporary or contracted position (student handles taxes).
    • With agreement from the student intern, hours can be as few and eight but up to 40 hours a week (when not in school).
    • Pay must be at least the current minimum wage.
    • Can be remote, hybrid, or in-office.
  • Requirements

    Requirements

    To qualify as an Honors-in-Marketing internship, the internship must be:

    • At least 200 hours, which is equivalent to 12.5 hours a week for a full semester (16 weeks). Total hours can be in any combination (e.g., varying hours per week), but students should not work more than 20 hours a week if enrolled full time in college courses. Students may start and end an internship across semesters, so may start anytime the company needs and the student’s schedule allows.
    • Paid at least minimum wage. Non-paid or volunteer activities would not count toward this internship but may qualify for the service component of the program.
    • Consist of primarily professional activities (not clerical).
    • Related to marketing, which includes, but is not necessarily limited to, activities in sales, product design or assessment, advertising or promotion including social media, pricing analysis, logistics or supply chain design or assessment, any form of market research including competitive analysis, market or marketing data analysis.
    • A series of assessable tasks or project, which is the basis of the internship course grade.
    • Hiring manager verifies hours weekly and completes a survey-based assessment of the student at the end of the internship.

     

About the Service Component


Each Honors candidate will complete a service project of at least 100 hours, which may, or may not, be marketing related. All service activities must be approved by the Honors program head with typical examples including serving as a tutor, a student mentor, or another on- or off-campus service activity with a not-for-profit as approved by the Honors program committee.

Not-for-profits may request Honors student(s) for a project by emailing the Honors program at marketing.honors@unf.edu. We encourage marketing-, student-, or underprivileged-related activities (in that order of priority), but any not-for-profit serving the community at large is welcome. The program maintains a list of recognized not-for-profits from which students can choose the mission and activity that best meets their schedule and other commitments.

The service hours allowed me to try on different marketing hats without committing to one skill set I gained most of initial marketing skills from volunteering Alina Powell cohort 1

 

Honors in Marketing Students


Honors in Marketing students are the top one percent of our marketing majors. They have completed additional in-depth training preparing them for work in a professional environment, building their technical and “soft” skills, and focusing their career on areas of interest that take advantage of their strengths.

 

Frequently asked questions about the Honors Program

  • What are the benefits of the Honors Program?

    Employers tell us most graduates are unprepared for professional careers. To address this need, the Honors program starts with a special course, giving you individualized attention and direction to define your career and improve the personal, interpersonal, managerial, and technical skills most requested by employers.

    As an Honors candidate, you are invited to the Marketing Advisory Council (MAC) meetings (two per semester) and are eligible for case projects and internships under the program.

    If you complete all program requirements, at graduation you will walk as an Honors graduate, “Honors in Marketing” will be reflected on your transcript, and “Honors in Marketing” can be listed in your resume.

  • Will participating affect my graduation date?
    Most likely not. The Honors program was designed to use electives that qualify as part of the standard marketing major. Only six hours (two electives) are used in Honors. However, to be sure, check with your advisor.
  • Is there a cost to apply or for Honors?

    There are no application or acceptance fees for the Honors program. Most of the funding comes from the Coggin College of Business and the Marketing Advisory Council.

    There may be small costs ($20 to $30) for assessments during the required Honors class, but that is the extent of the costs of either program option.

  • What if I don’t complete the requirements?
    Once admitted to Honors, nearly all students complete the Honors program. However, if for some reason you are unable to, you will automatically switch to the standard marketing degree with no additional courses required or impact to your graduation date. That is, the Honors and standard marketing degrees are compatible regarding requirements and graduation dates.
  • I work and go to school. How much time does the Honors program take?

    We’ve had several students who take four or five classes and work about 20 hours a week and still have been successful in the Honors program. Some decide to do their internship in their last semester and, once they have secured the internship, quit their old job. Read more about the internship and service hours below and on the Honors program page.

    You’ll probably find the commitment isn’t more than rigorous classes you’ve already taken, and you have until graduation to complete the internship and service requirements.

  • What is required to apply?
    In general, for Honors in Marketing, you must be a marketing major, or dual major with marketing, or declare a marketing major on acceptance to the Honors program, have passed Principles of Marketing (MAR 3023 or equivalent) with a “B” or better. You also must have—or explain how you will have—an overall or UNF GPA of 3.5 or higher by the time you graduate. Complete requirements are on the Honors in Marketing page.
  • Do I get any exposure to companies?
    Yes. The Honors program is closely linked to (and funded by) the MAC, UNF’s council representing area marketing employers. As an Honors student, you will be invited to attend council meetings and network with these employers.
  • Do I get any exposure to companies?
    Yes. The Honors program is closely linked to (and funded by) the MAC, UNF’s council representing area marketing employers. As an Honors student, you will be invited to attend council meetings and network with these employers.
  • How does the internship work?
    The internship is an approved, paid, professional marketing position (of at least 200 hours) designed to build your resume. While the program doesn’t guarantee an internship, you and the program both search for internships that meet your needs and the program’s qualifications. Many MAC members also offer internships. Note: there is currently a Covid waiver allowing non-paid internships.
  • Does the internship have to be in Jacksonville?
    No. If the internship meets the program’s requirements, it can be done at any company in the world.
  • Does the internship need to be completed in a semester?
    No. The only requirements are that the internship needs to be at least 200 hours (many students choose to do more), consist of professional marketing activities, and be paid (there is currently a Covid waiver allowing non-paid internships).
  • What about the service hours?

    To build your skills and resume—and give back to the community—we encourage students to seek out marketing activities at not-for-profits. We also have relationships with several local not-for-profits, and there are several on the MAC who offer volunteer opportunities.

    Students often think 100 hours is a lot, but over the course of a year, it’s about two hours a week. Some students do it all in a few weeks during the summer. Some complete it a bit at a time. All service must be approved, and hours count only if they are performed after your acceptance in the program.

  • I’m an international student on a student visa, can I do an internship?

    International students at UNF are typically here on F-1 Visas, which allows you to work off campus after the first year as long as the work is related to your course of study. The Honors program has a designated three-credit internship class and the internship itself is part of the program’s requirements. This generally meets the requirements to work under the F-1 Visa.

    However, your internship will be approved (or recommendation to adjust it for approval) by the “SEVIS Designated Official” in UNF’s International Center.

    US Government information is here:

    Student Visas

    Students and Employment