The Purposes Of The University Of Iowa College Of Education Honors Opportunity Program Are:

• To provide additional challenge to College of Education undergraduates
• To form mentorships between researchers and future educators
• To attract students of high ability and commitment to education and related professions
• To foster the process of completing a program that will culminate with a University of Iowa degree with honors

General Information

All College of Education students who have achieved a University Of Iowa GPA of 3.33 or above or a transferd GPA of 3.5 or above after three semesters of college study are invited to be part of the Honors Opportunity Program (HOP). Any student whose GPA does not meet the requirement may still participate in HOP. Those students whose GPA is below the requirement are asked to submit a letter from a faculty member in support of their ability to succeed in HOP to the Director of the Honors Opportunity Program.

During their sophomore or junior year, HOP participants attend a one-credit honors seminar (7X:100) in which they are oriented to the research programs of College of Education faculty and learn basic research principles.

Throughout their junior and/or senior year(s), students are paired with faculty mentors whom they assist. The expected outcome is a senior paper or co-authorship of an article with a faculty member. This component is known as the College of Education Honors Project (7X:101) and is a one- or two-credit course.

Students must complete all of the required activities and any five of the Optional Activities listed elsewhere. Questions of judgment about completion of program components will be determined by the Honors Opportunity Program Advisory Board. Students who complete the requirements will graduate with honors.

 

REQUIRED ACTIVITIES:
A College of Education Honor Student must complete all of the required activities.

 

• Scholarship:
  3.33 (UI GPA) or 3.5 (Tranfered GPA) to enroll in HOP
  3.33 GPA for continued participation in HOP

   

• Research:
  7X:100 Seminar participation completion
  7X:101 Senior Honors Project

   

• Practice:
  Demonstration of excellence for required practica in major.

   

REQUIRED OPTIONS:
In addition to the required activities, any five of several optional activities are also required. At least one of the optional activities must come from the Practice component.

 

• SCHOLARSHIP:
  • Successful completion of a Liberal Arts honors class
  • Membership in honors organizations (e.g., Phi Beta Kappa, Pi Lambda Theta)
  • Participation in graduate seminars
  • Participation in Honors sections of the College of Education classes as available

   

• RESEARCH:
  • Participation in an additional research project with a faculty member (Independent Study)
  • Completion of an alternative assignment or research-oriented independent study in a required class
  • Completion of coursework to build research skills (e.g., Statistics)
  • Documentation of previous research experiences
  • Research outside the College of Education culminating in a reflective paper or presentation

   

• PRACTICE:
  • Evidence of creative use of technology
  • Completion of extra practice or extra/extended field experiences
  • Participation in activities above and beyond program requirements*, for example:
    Outreach Programs
        - Community Service
        - Summer Reading Program
        - Close Encounters Program
    Special Sites - Student Teaching
        - Aldine, TX Program
        - Rialto, CA Program
        - Clark County, NV Program
        - Overseas Programs
        - Other Approved Sites

    * (Activities that serve as program requirements, with the exception of the above "Special-Site" Student Teaching placements, do not count.)

     

In addition to the distinction of graduating with honors, students are eligible to receive scholarships and awards, including the David and Connie Belin Honors Award, specifically for students who complete the Honors Opportunity Program. The benefits of interacting with a faculty mentor on a research project are immeasurable; as well, students are provided the opportunity to present their research. Honors students are also invited to make use of the Blank Honors Center (BHC) as a respite for study and socializing. The third floor of the BHC offers a lounge and space to study, have discussion and interact with other honors students. HOP students are also invited to take part in cultural events sponsored by the Honors Program.