James Scholar Program

The James Scholar Program is a University-wide program established to encourage undergraduate research and independent study. Students designated as James Scholars are entitled to certain academic privileges, including access to the “stacks" in the library, priority in assignment of registration times and official recognition on the University of Illinois transcript. The program gives a student a special opportunity to explore various topics and to receive recognition for those endeavors.

Eligibility

• Qualified incoming students are invited to the James Scholar program by the Honors Dean following the review of their admission application and prior to their arrival on campus. Typically the top 15% of incoming freshmen and transfer students are eligible to participate.
• Transfer and continuing students who have earned at least 3.50 Institutional and Overall grade point averages will be invited to participate in the James Scholars Program at or before the beginning of the fall term for the current academic year.
• The College of Education does not have a self-nomination process. The College of Education differs from some colleges in that we allow students to participate in the James Scholars Program through their senior year.

Requirements

• Students must complete a James Scholars Project in the fall and spring semester in order to be certified for the year.
• All students must earn a “B-” or better in the designated course and earn a 3.5 Institutional and Overall GPA of 3.5 in order to continue in the James Scholars Program for the spring semester.

James Scholars Projects

• Freshmen have the opportunity to take EDUC 102 in the fall semester to complete their James Scholars requirement.
• All students can register for the College of Education honors course EPSY 200 or the College of Education designated honors sections of EPS 202 and CI 199 (sophomores and juniors only).
• Students can take any James Scholars or Chancellor’s Honors course or section.
• James Scholars can use eHCLA’s (electronic Honors Credit Learning Agreements) in conjunction with the instructor of one of their regular classes. The project is determined by the instructor of the course.
• James Scholars can use eHCLA’s to work with a professor on research projects outside the classroom.
• Study Abroad.
• New opportunity for College of Education Sophomores and Junior James Scholars!

Processing and Certification

• Students, who are not registered in an honors course/section, must complete an eHCLA (electronic Honors Credit Learning Agreement). Eligible James Scholar students will receive an email with a link to the eHCLA form during the fall and spring semesters.
• Students registered in an honors course/section or who are studying abroad will automatically earn James Scholars Credit for that term.
• The James Scholars HCLA’s deadline for fall semester is October 1. The spring deadline is March 1. These dates are subject to change.
• Students who have met the James Scholars requirements for fall and spring semesters will be certified a James Scholar for that academic year. This certification will be entered on their transcript.

Perks

• Early Registration
• Stacks pass to the main library
• Notation on transcript
• Recognition for graduating seniors in the College of Education Convocation Program

FAQ's

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