How to Apply

STUDENT SELF-NOMINATION: ADMISSION CRITERIA AND HOW TO APPLY

We encourage and welcome all interested and motivated students to apply to the Education Honors Program. We also welcome and respect diverse applicants to apply. 

Applicants should meet the following admission criteria:

1. Demonstrated or have the potential for high task commitment, achievement, and/or creativity in an area of study, research, leadership, or service
2. Declared major or minor in an education discipline within the Cato College of Education
3. Admission to a teacher education or licensure program as a major or minor with a 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA (NOTE: If a promising student does not yet meet the GPA requirement, but has the potential for high task commitment, achievement, and/or creativity in any area of study, research, leadership, or service, the Honors Committee will consider the student’s application on a case-by-case basis. The student AND the academic advisor/faculty member should ​explain how the student will be able to handle the rigors of the Education Honors Program in the application and approval forms.) 
   • Note: Item #3 applies to new incoming students in Fall of 2024. All other current students may petition to have the new requirement apply to their applications.
4. Completion of 15 semester hours of coursework prior to application for the Education Honors Program. Prerequisites include EDUC 1100, EDUC 1511, or MDSK 2100.  
5. Completion of the electronic candidate application form with approval(s) from academic advisor AND/OR faculty member (See Apply Online link below):
   1. Unofficial copy of student transcript (retrieved from Banner)
   2. A 500-600 word personal statement explaining:
      • the candidate’s academic/career goals in the field of education, and
      • how the Education Honors Program is relevant to the candidate’s academic and/or career interests
   3. Academic advisor and/or nominating FACULTY MEMBER APPROVAL FORM (instructions for this form are also located in the candidate application form).

It is recommended that before applying to the Education Honors Program, candidates should meet with their academic advisors and/or a faculty member, and/or Chair of the Education Honors Committee to discuss their interest, motivation, and academic plan of study.

APPLICATION DUE DATES:

• Last business day in April for Fall admission

Candidates must apply at least 3 semesters prior to the semester in which they will be student teaching. Check the recommended course sequence below (subject to change) to see if the candidate has time to complete the program before student teaching:

*EDUC 3790 is similar to an independent study. It does not meet during set class times. Instead, students meet with their mentor and implement their Honors Project.

FACULTY NOMINATION

If you are a faculty member and would like to nominate a student to the Education Honors Program, please click on the link below. It will bring you to a Google Form where you can nominate a student. The Co-Director of the Education Program will then contact the student and encourage them to apply. Please ensure that the student meets the criteria for the program listed above. We encourage faculty to nominate students who are highly motivated and we welcome diverse students. 

REVIEW PROCESS

The Education Honors Committee will review each applicant’s materials on an ad hoc basis and notify (1) the student and (2) the Academic Advisor and/or Nominating Faculty Member(s) of students who have been admitted into the Education Honors Program. Students will receive an email within 2 weeks after the deadline.