James Scholar Honors Program

By participating in the program, James Scholars enjoy these benefits: 

• Opportunities to engage academic material differently with more direct interaction with faculty.
• Enhanced relationships with faculty. In AHS we believe it is our personal touch that distinguishes us from other academic units on campus. These strengthened relationships result in better learning experiences in the classroom and only strengthen the ability of our faculty to recognize and recommend your talent.
• Priority registration times. As a James Scholar you can register before most students.
• Honors recognition on final transcripts and at the AHS convocation graduation ceremony. At the AHS convocation (graduation) ceremony, James Scholars will wear special regalia, and are given special recognition. 

 There are a variety of ways to join the College of AHS James Scholar Honors Program (see below). 

Admitted James Scholars 

Incoming freshmen in the top ~10% of the admitted AHS class are invited to participate in the James Scholar Program as a part of the admission process. Eligibility is determined after a review of multiple academic indicators. 

On-Campus Transfer Students (ICTs)

If a student was a James Scholar in their previous College, the James Scholar status will automatically remain when they transfer to AHS. They will be begin receiving information from the AHS James Scholar Honors Program the first semester they are officially in AHS.

Off-Campus Transfer Students

Incoming off-campus transfer students with a 3.65 GPA are invited to participate in the self-nomination process during their first fall semester on campus. The first three requirements for self-nomination are waived for these students.

Self-Nomination 

AHS students who would like to begin the self-nomination process to become a James Scholar must meet the following requirements: 

• Earned a 3.50 cumulative Illinois GPA. (Exceptions are made for INVITED off-campus transfer students)
• Completed at least one semester on the Illinois campus, including 12 graded hours. (Exceptions are made for INVITED off-campus transfer students)
• No history of academic integrity violations.
• Not be a second semester junior or beyond (unless the student has received permission to remain an undergraduate for a fifth year).
• Provided those requirements are met, students can begin the self-nomination process during the first four weeks of the fall semester. 

            The self-nomination process is as follows: 

1. Student meets eligibility requirements above.
2. Student completes the self-nomination form prior to the second Friday of the fall semester. The self-nomination form will open on the first day of classes. No late forms will be accepted.
3. After AHS reviews the form, the student will receive an email giving them access to the Canvas site for AHS James Scholars.
4. Via the Canvas site, the student will submit an Honors Plan by the fourth Friday of the fall semester. Any self-nominating student who does not submit their Honors Plan by the stated deadline will be removed from the self-nominating process. 
5. Student receives confirmation email with AHS approval.
6. Student successfully completes the honors project.
7. Student meets the requirements for James Scholars.
8. Student receives confirmation email from the college in January.
9. Student has the full benefits of being a James Scholar starting the next semester. 

Each current James Scholar (and self-nominating students) will be added to the Canvas page for the AHS James Scholar Honors Program. This site contains all the resources the student will need, in addition to the link for submitting their Honors Plan and any required documentation.

James Scholar Requirements: 

• Maintain a 3.50 yearly Illinois GPA. (Evaluated at the end of the spring semester.)
• Submit an Honors Plan each fall and spring semester.
• Complete an honors project each fall and spring semester (If necessary, students can opt to complete two honors projects in one semester).
• Complete at least 12 graded hours on the Illinois campus each fall and spring semester. (Exceptions are made for semesters with HK 471 (CHLH section) and RST 485, or last semester seniors who do not need 12 hours to graduate.)
• Not be found guilty of an academic integrity violation. (Academic Integrity is expected with all courses, James Scholar work, and communications. Any suspected violations will be addressed through the appropriate University channels.)

James Scholar Designation 

After grades are posted for the spring semester, academic records will be evaluated. Students who meet all eligibility criteria for both the fall and spring semesters in an academic year will be awarded the James Scholar designation on their transcripts. The designation is added AFTER the academic year is complete. 

In general, honors projects are opportunities for students to expand their academic experience either in or out of the classroom. Please continue reading for an overview of the options for completing an honors project. 

For students beginning their first semester on our campus, a few honors project options would be most appropriate. See “Honors Plan” below for more information. 

When students choose to complete an Honors Project through a regular course, there is no set format students and instructors must follow. The expectation is that the project expands on the course information and allows the student to interact with the course material on a deeper level. 

Honors Project Options 

Academic options

• CHP Course
  • Earn a B- or higher in the course.
  • Not elect Credit/No Credit in the course.
• James Scholar course (or section of a course)
  • Earn a B- or higher in the course.
  • Not elect Credit/No Credit in the course.
• Honors projects in regular courses
  • Earn a B- or higher in the course.
  • Not elect Credit/No Credit in the course.
  • Meet the instructor’s expectations for the project, including submission deadlines.

      Research options 

• Undergraduate research
  • If enrolled in a research course, student must receive a B- (or higher) or S grade.
  • If not enrolled in a research course, completion must be verified by research supervisor.
• Presenting research
  • If presenting at the Undergraduate Research Symposium, no documentation is required.
  • If presenting at a state or national conference, completion must be documented by research supervisor.

Community and Global Engagement 

• Study Abroad
  • Successfully complete all courses/requirements associated with the experience.
  • Courses abroad cannot be taken as Credit/No Credit.
• Volunteer
  • ~40 clock hours/semester in one setting.
  • Hours verified by volunteer supervisor.
• Internship: HK 471(ONLY CHLH section) or RST 485
  • Successfully complete the course with grade of S.

Leadership 

• Leadership Lab through the Illinois Leadership Center
  • Successfully complete all requirements for the program.
  • Completion verified by the Illinois Leadership Center.
• LeaderShape® Institute™, Donaldson Leadership Retreat, Silicon Valley Leadership Summit through the Illinois Leadership Center
  • Successfully complete all requirements for the program.
  • Completion verified by the Illinois Leadership Center. 

Fall 2026

Submit Self-Nomination Forms: September 4th @ 11:59 p.m.

Submit Honors Plans: September 18^th @ 11:59 p.m.

Spring 2027

Submit Self-Nomination Forms: January 29th @ 11:59 p.m.

Submit Honors Plans: Feb. 12^th @ 11:59 p.m.