College of Media at Illinois

University of IllinoisCollege of Media

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Student Honors and Awards

Edmund J. James Scholars: Student Procedures and Rules

-- Download a printable version of James Scholars Procedures and Rules. --

-- Download Honors Credit Learning Agreement (HCLA) form. --

Becoming a James Scholar:

Students will be invited to become a James Scholar for the upcoming fall semester after the summer academic review is completed

Those eligible to join:

  • Current College of Media students who are already certified as a James Scholar
  • Current College of Media students who have completed less than 75 hours, are included on the spring Dean’s List, and who have at least a 3.5 overall GPA
  • Students who are on-campus transfers into the College of Media and are certified by their previous college as a James Scholar
  • Students who are on-campus transfers into the College of Media for the upcoming fall semester who have completed less than 75 hours, are in the top 20% of the incoming class, and who have at least a 3.5 overall GPA
  • The top 20% of the college’s incoming freshmen class. The top 20% is based on a combination of a student’s ACT/SAT score and high school GPA.
  • Off-campus transfers with at least a 3.75 transfer GPA may request to join the program. Please speak with your advisor.
  • On-campus students who transferred into the college during a spring term fall under the rules of a current student
  • Qualifying students may enter the program for either the sophomore or junior year but not for the senior year alone.
    * Exception: A rising senior that previously completed two years in the James Scholar program before being dismissed and then meets the requirements to rejoin the program for senior year will be invited during the summer review period. S/he would then need to make up an honors activity to account for the missing year in the program.

If invited to become a James Scholar, you must notify the James Scholar coordinator of your acceptance or denial of the offer by the date specified in your notification letter

Remaining in good standing as a James Scholar:

Students have been made aware of all requirements by nature of their publication. It is each student’s responsibility to read and understand all requirements for remaining in the program and should contact their academic advisor with any questions. Regardless of whether the rules are read, a student will be charged with knowledge of them. Citing ignorance of the rules will not be considered sufficient justification for an appeal of being dropped from the program.

Freshman Year:
College of Media freshmen James Scholars must meet the following requirements to continue as a James Scholar in the sophomore year and to have the James Scholar notation on the academic transcript for the freshman year:

  • Earn at least a 3.5 on-campus GPA and take at least 14 graded credit hours on the Illinois campus in both the fall and spring semesters. The cumulative on-campus GPA must also remain at or above 3.5 for the freshman year.
  • Illinois online courses taken as part of the traditional fall or spring term do count in this total; self-paced online courses do not.
  • Successfully complete one honors activity or course as detailed below (See Sophomore and Junior Years). Most freshmen choose to pursue this requirement during the spring semester.
  • It is also strongly encouraged that freshmen attend as many James Scholar seminars and/or trips as possible during the fall and spring terms. The seminars are offered to freshmen in order to help them better acclimate to the college, opportunities on campus, and to career possibilities in their chosen field.

Sophomore and Junior Years:

Media has a strong commitment to professional development, service learning, college leadership, and research and to helping our students develop in these areas. As such, a list has been created to allow each James Scholar the opportunity to pick the attribute they would like to build upon in each given year. The options include existing programs and resources available on campus and in the community while taking into consideration James Scholar principles of academic supervision, one-on-one interaction with a University of Illinois professor, and a minimum of 15 additional hours of project work.

To remain in the James Scholar program students must*:

  • Maintain on-campus semester and cumulative GPAs of 3.5
  • Take a minimum of 14 graded credit hours each semester on the Illinois campus
    • (Illinois online courses taken as part of the traditional fall or spring term do count in this total; self-paced online courses do not)

*Students who are studying abroad are exempt from the credit hour and GPA requirements during the semester(s) they are abroad. However, students abroad are expected to take the equivalent of full-time enrollment at their host institution. A student who is only gone for one semester needs to complete the honors option during the semester s/he is on campus.

PLEASE NOTE: It is each student’s responsibility to be sure they are meeting all requirements. Students who choose to take a course credit/no credit must still be enrolled in 14 graded credit hours at Illinois, no exceptions. Coursework taken at Parkland or at another institution do NOT count toward the 14 graded credit hours required or toward the semester or overall GPA.

In addition, students continuing as James Scholars must complete at least one of the honors options below each academic year. Additional information and/or applicable deadlines for honors form submission are noted. If no specific deadline is listed, you will be asked via email in the spring semester to submit a form detailing your honors activities for the academic year. You should speak with your academic advisor by the 10th day of classes in the spring semester if you have not yet decided on an honors option. All forms should be submitted to the College of Media Student Services Center in 18 Gregory Hall by the listed deadlines. If questions remain, students should speak with their academic advisors. Please note some of the listed options require additional paperwork or the submission of a project in order for the honors requirement to be considered complete. Students will need to choose a different option during each academic year. Only options noted below as repeatable will be counted multiple times.

All requirements must be completed in order to continue as a James Scholar for the following academic year and to receive the James Scholar notation on the academic transcript each academic year. Please note, not all options will include Honors notation on a student’s transcript. Those that qualify for this automatically are noted as such.

Research or Honors Coursework (Includes the Traditional Honors Course Methods)

  • Participate in the Undergrad Research Symposium hosted by the University each spring semester

    -- Honors Credit Learning Agreement (HCLA) form must be submitted by the end of the 4th week of spring classes
  • Work as a research assistant or complete an approved independent study with a College of Media professor (repeatable; Honors notation on the transcript may be awarded)

    -- For example, for an Advertising independent study, once securing a participating professor, a proposal form should be submitted to the Department Head for approval; a clear purpose and outcome must be stated

    -- HCLA form must be submitted along with a petition and an approved Independent Study form by the 10th day of class in the semester the course is completed
  • Complete a Campus Honors Program course or other course designated for James Scholars only (repeatable; Honors notation on the transcript may be awarded)

    -- HCLA form must be submitted by the 10th day of class in the semester the course is completed
  • Complete a Senior Honors Thesis within your major (this option may not be available within all Departments in the College of Media; Honors notation on the transcript may be awarded)

    -- HCLA form must be submitted by the 10th day of class in the semester the course is completed
  • Complete an HCLA during the academic year in regular courses on the Champaign-Urbana campus (this is the traditional honors option; repeatable; Honors notation on the transcript may be awarded). See Information for Students Completing an Honors Course below for more information.

    -- HCLA form must be submitted by the end of the 6th week of classes in the semester the course is completed

Service Learning or Global Studies

  • Participate in a Global Studies Course Abroad during winter or summer break-GLBL 298

    -- Several courses are offered each year and are held during the 2nd 8-week session of both the fall and spring terms

    -- Upon completion of the 2nd 8-week course, students visit a pre-determined location during winter break for fall courses and over the summer for spring courses

    -- Please review the following website for additional information on these courses: http://www.las.illinois.edu/students/international/coursesabroad/

    -- HCLA form must be submitted by the 10th day of class of the 2nd 8-week session in the semester the course is completed
  • Participate in an Advertising winter or summer abroad course or in the Journalism International Reporting class-ADV 399 or JOUR 470

    -- HCLA form must be submitted by the 10th day of class in the semester the course is completed; for ADV 399, this would be the 10th day of class after the 2nd session has begun
  • Participate in the LINC program-ENG 298

    -- HCLA form must be submitted by the 10th day of class in the semester the course is completed
  • Serve as Project Manager for the LINC program

    -- Students may earn two years of credit for LINC participation if completed in separate years: one credit for ENG 298, and one credit as project manager

    -- HCLA form must be submitted by the 10th day of class in the semester the course is completed

Professional Development

  • Complete a College of Media approved semester-long internship (during the fall or spring only; summer internships do not apply)

    -- The internship can either be in the Champaign-Urbana area or off-campus but it must be pre-approved by the internship coordinator in a student’s academic major

    -- If the internship is in the campus area and the student is attending classes, he/she must be registered for the internship seminar course offered by his/her major while completing all academic requirements for remaining in the program

    -- The student must take 14 graded hours on campus and maintain the 3.5 on-campus GPA
    -- Please note, the internship seminar course is not for a traditional letter grade, so students must be sure they are registered for 14 graded hours
    -- If the student is completing the internship away from campus and is not registered in coursework on the Illinois campus, he/she must register for the internship seminar course offered by his/her major in the semester that immediately follows the internship

    -- Graded hours and semester GPA for the academic term of the internship only will be waived

    -- If appropriate and/or required by the internship coordinator, the student should remain in contact with the internship coordinator throughout the internship. This may be verified by the honors coordinator and students who have not complied may be denied the completion of this honors option.

Leadership and Service to the College

  • Serve as a College of Media Student Ambassador
  • Serve as the Chair of a College-wide recruiting event such as Mediapalooza or the Fall Open House
  • Take an academic leadership course on the Illinois campus

    -- Choose from the following courses: AGED 199, (Leadership and Social Responsibility OR Leadership and Social Change ONLY), AGED 260, 360, or 380, CMN 230, 321, or 421, EPSY 203, GE 361, GE 398 (Engaging Leadership ONLY), or GE 498 (Leading Sustainable Change ONLY)

    -- HCLA form must be submitted by the 10th day of class in the semester the course is completed
  • Complete a Personal Development Plan as required for completion of the Leadership Certificate

    --- You must provide us with the name and email address of your Leadership Coach

    --- During the summer review term, your coach will be contacted to verify that the Personal Development Plan was completed during the previous academic year
  • Attend LeaderShape, an I-Program offered by the Leadership Center over Winter Break

Senior Year:
Students continuing as James Scholars into the senior year (fourth year) will be able to graduate with College of Media James Scholar Distinction if they complete the senior year requirements during the fall term before graduation.

Complete one of the above listed activities during the FALL semester. You may NOT repeat a previously used activity unless it is noted as a repeatable option. Seniors must also earn at least a 3.5 on-campus GPA in the fall semester of senior year while taking 14 graded credit hours on the Illinois campus and maintaining an on-campus cumulative GPA of a 3.5. Illinois online courses taken as part of the traditional fall or spring term do count in this total; self-paced online courses do not. These rules apply no matter the student’s graduating semester, December, May, or August. If all conditions are not met during the fall semester, the James Scholar notation will not be included in the college’s May commencement program nor listed on the student’s transcript for the final academic year. Students will be notified by mid-February if they will be listed as a James Scholar at graduation.

Additional Requirements and Information:

  • If a student is completing one of the honors coursework options, the Honors Credit Learning Agreement (HCLA) form must be submitted by the stated deadline in order for the honors designation to be entered onto the course in question. Deadlines are stated above and below under HCLA Procedures.
  • If a student is completing an unlisted activity he/she feels is representative of the categories represented, a petition may be filed. These activities must be verifiable, supervised by an Illinois faculty or staff member, and also conform to the Honors Credit Learning Agreement standard of approximately 15 hours of meaningful engagement.
  • All requirements for remaining in the James Scholar program MUST be completed on the Illinois campus. Courses taken off-campus are NOT considered when GPAs are calculated and credit hours are counted.
  • Only courses taken under the Research or Honors Coursework (traditional methods) category will automatically be eligible for an honors credit listing on the transcript.

    -- In order to work toward honors credit in other courses included within the honors options (ex. GLBL 298, ENG 298, AGED 260, etc.), the student should complete the “Current Illinois Course” section on the HCLA form with his/her instructor.

    -- This option should be marked in addition to the actual requirement being met. The form submission deadlines of the primary option stand.

    -- The student should speak with his/her instructor before pursuing this method. The professor must be comfortable with awarding honors credit without assigning the student the traditional extra project. If the professor prefers to offer honors credit by fulfilling an honors project, the student can decide to pursue the traditional honors course method or simply take the course to fulfill the James Scholar requirement but not receive honors credit.

    -- Only the instructor’s name and signature is required. A course/project proposal does NOT need to be completed. The nature of the course is enough to garner honors credit.

    -- For example, if a student is taking a GLBL 298 course in the fall and desires to have the honors notation on her transcript, she should mark both the Global Studies Abroad and the Current Illinois Course options on the HCLA form. Then, she should speak with her professor to be sure she is comfortable with assigning honors coursework on the basis of the nature of the course. The professor must agree to award the honors credit without assigning additional work to the student. If the professor agrees, she signs the form under the Current Illinois Course option. The student then submits the form to the Student Services Center by the 10th day of classes of the 2nd 8-weeks in the fall semester.
  • If a James Scholar wishes to complete a project using still photos or video and does not have use of a quality digital camera, he/she may request the use of a camera for the sole purpose of the James Scholar project. Please email media-ssc@illinois.edu for additional information and permission.

    -- The student will need to provide his/her own memory card and batteries as these are not included with the cameras.
  • Students who enter the University as a freshman in fall 2009 and beyond must complete a minimum of four honors options in order to be certified as a James Scholar at the college’s graduation ceremony in May

    -- If a student joins the James Scholar program during the sophomore or junior year (seniors who have not previously been a James Scholar are not accepted), he or she will need to make up an honors activity in order to graduate with a minimum of four activities, or one for each academic year.

    -- There is not a maximum number of activities that can be completed

    -- A student who completes multiple activities in one year and who has reached the four activity minimum before his/her graduation year still MUST complete an honors activity in each remaining year in order to be re-certified for the following academic year. Each year a student is in the program, he/she should be completing at least one honors activity

    -- One activity per year completed while in another college on the Illinois campus may count in this total. Even if multiple honors options were completed in one academic year while in another college, only one per year will count toward the four required.
  • James Scholars status will be reviewed each summer and students will be notified of their continuance or dismissal from the program before the next fall term begins. Because James Scholar review takes place once a year, a student who does not meet the requirements in the fall semester will remain in the program for the spring. However, s/he will be dropped during the summer review period and the James Scholar notation will not appear on the transcript for the previous academic year.

Information for Students Completing an Honors Course (traditional method):

HCLA procedures:

  • Contact the professor who teaches the course you wish to use as an HCLA course
  • Be ready to submit a proposal in which you state the project you wish to work on
  • Work with your professor to come to an agreement on a clear and approved proposal
  • Obtain an HCLA form http://www.media.illinois.edu/current/forms/honorscredit_form.pdf and have the professor sign it
  • Attach the approved project proposal to the HCLA form and turn it in to the Student Services Center, 18 Gregory Hall
  • If you will be completing an independent study, you will also need to complete an academic petition as well as an Independent Study form http://www.media.illinois.edu/current/studentservices.html#forms
  • Deadlines for HCLA form submission:
  • If you are taking a campus honors’ course, the HCLA form must be submitted by the tenth day of class
  • If you will be completing an HCLA for a current course, the HCLA form must be turned in by the end of the sixth week of classes
  • If you will be completing an honors project or independent study, the necessary forms must be turned in by the tenth day of class

The “H” grade reminder:

  • During the last week of classes, remind your professor that you have been working on an HCLA and if you have successfully completed the project, he/she will need to designate an “H” grade when entering grades for the semester
  • After grades have rolled, check to be sure that you have received an “H” for the appropriate course
  • If an “H” was not recorded, contact your professor to verify that you successfully completed the honors project. If you have, ask him/her to complete a Grade Change Form and have his/her academic department submit the form to the Student Services Center, 18 Gregory Hall.

Student expectations for completing an HCLA:

  • Be ready to:

    -- approach your professor with a clear plan describing the work you wish to complete

    -- complete extraordinary work in the course; it is the discretion of the instructor to determine whether the HCLA project is in addition to regular coursework or if it is to be substituted in part for regular coursework

    -- complete the project by the end of the semester the course is taken

    -- meet with your professor every so often to discuss your progress

    -- devote approximately 15 additional hours of work time to an HCLA project
  • Consider the following:

    -- HCLA courses are a unique way to enhance your classroom experience by collaborating with your professor

    -- Your options for the course are many and you should base them on your areas of interest

    • Think about personal or career interests; use your project as an opportunity to research an area of personal interest, make professional contacts, enhance your resume, or give you the opportunity to work with a prospective employer

    • Consider your professors’ area of expertise and/or research; ask to participate in their research processes in a variety of settings; be open to their suggestions on project ideas

    • Review subject matter addressed in class and the areas you would like to expand your knowledge

    • Think about how you could use your media skills in producing an extraordinary honors project; do not be afraid to go beyond an extra reading – use your skills to produce a piece you could put into a portfolio
    -- You cannot take an honor’s course CR/NC and must receive at least a B- for your professor to give an “H” grade for the class

    -- Your instructor may decline to grant honors credit if the HCLA project has not been completed satisfactorily. The instructor is the sole judge of whether honors credit is to be granted.