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.

Students who complete departmental honors and maintain an overall GPA of at least 3.6 will be recognized at commencement.

Getting Started

To initiate participation in departmental honors, complete the registration card. Registration must be submitted prior to any work toward departmental honors. It is helpful to 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.

Registration cards and all other honors-related forms are in Teachers College Building, room 305.

Eligible Majors

  • Elementary Education
  • Early Childhood Education
  • Dual Elementary Education/Elementary Special Education
  • Dual Early Childhood/Early Childhood Special Education

Honors Projects

To earn departmental honors, students must complete and present two honors projects during their academic career.

The project must advance the student's knowledge. It must be related to a course but not replicate a course assignment. The student must 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 the 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.
  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
  • EDEL 244
  • EDEL 252
  • EDEL 260
  • EDEL 300
  • EDEL 340
  • EDEL 350
  • EDEL 351
  • EDEL 381
  • EDEL 400
  • EDEL 401
  • EDEL 402
  • EDEL 440
  • EDEL 442
  • EDEL 464
  • EDRD 300
  • EDRD 320
  • EDRD 350
  • EDRD 390
  • EDRD 400
  • EDRD 427
  • EDRD 430
  • EDRD 450

Thesis Expectations: Complete Thesis (HONR 499, 3 Credits)

The thesis must synthesize information from multiple sources into an appropriate intellectual or academic framework and convey high-quality content.

The student will articulate in writing an effective plan of study and preparation, analyze and reflect critically upon personal development, convey the outcomes of the thesis through well-crafted discussions, writings, presentations, or other activities, and articulate the outcomes of the thesis in an effective, refined written document.

  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.
  2. Register for HONR 499 Honors Thesis. In order to register for HONR 499 or 499N Honors Thesis, first call 765-285-1024 to arrange for a meeting. Also complete and bring the form, which you may download from Box.com. (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 before graduation.

For Honors College Students

For students in the 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.