Students in the HOLD program may apply to the School of Education Honors Program, which offers participants the opportunity to sharpen their skills in analysis, synthesis, and research while engaging in a thesis project alongside faculty mentors. This experience allows outstanding students to graduate from both the University and the School of Education with honors — a distinction that can be especially beneficial for those pursuing graduate or professional studies. Many students find the research and writing process rewarding and intellectually stimulating, providing valuable preparation for future careers and professional goals.
In the Honors Program, you will receive dedicated mentorship and support throughout your thesis journey. You will choose a thesis mentor based on shared interests and faculty availability to guide you through your work. While independent effort is expected, regular meetings with your advisor will provide ongoing support and guidance.
Requirements of the School of Education Honors Program
- You must be majoring in Human Development and Family Studies or Human and Organizational Leadership Development;
- You must have and maintain a minimum overall GPA at UNC of 3.3 to begin, remain in and graduate with Honors;
- You must complete EDUC 408 OR EDUC 257 with a grade of “B” or better before you begin taking EDUC 691H;
- During the fall semester of your senior year, you must enroll in EDUC 691H, “Honors Seminar in Education,” and you must obtain a grade of “B” or better in this course;
- During the spring of your senior year, you must enroll in EDUC 694H, “Honors Thesis in Education.” In this course, you will be expected to write a Senior Honors Thesis and defend it in an oral examination. Your thesis will be supervised by a thesis Advisor from the faculty in the School of Education. Only by successfully writing and defending your thesis can you graduate from the University “with honors.”
About the HOLD Honors Program
Honors students in the School of Education plan, write and defend an honors thesis over the course of their senior year.
- In the fall semester students take the first course, which is an honors thesis class. This class guides students to begin the process of preparing and writing a thesis.
- In the spring semester students take the second course in the honors class sequence, which supports students while they complete their honors thesis. There is also an oral examination during which students defend their thesis.
HOLD Honors Program Requirements
- You must be majoring in Human Organizational Leadership and Development;
- You must have and maintain a minimum overall GPA at UNC of 3.3 to begin, remain in and graduate with Honors;
- You must complete EDUC 408 with a grade of “B” or better before you begin taking EDUC 691H;
- During the fall semester of your senior year, you must enroll in EDUC 691H, “Honors Seminar in Education,” and you must obtain a grade of “B” or better in this course;
- During the spring of your senior year, you must enroll in EDUC 694H, “Honors Thesis in Education.” In this course, you will be expected to write a Senior Honors Thesis and defend it in an oral examination;
- Your thesis will be supervised by a thesis Advisor from the faculty in the School of Education;
- Only by successfully writing and defending your thesis can you graduate from the University “with honors.”
Participating in the Honors Program is in addition to your specific degree requirements. The TWO Honors Program courses cannot be substituted for courses that are required in your degree program. In some cases this will require taking a course overload or enrolling for an additional semester or summer session.
Contact Yuliana Rodriguez, Ph.D., at yuliana@unc.edu if you are interested in participating in the School of Education Honors Program.
How to Apply
The application portal is open. The deadline to apply to the School of Education Honors Program is March 31, 2025.
Be prepared to describe your research interests, state your GPA, share a small portion of a writing sample from a previously written research paper, identify a School of Education faculty member who may serve as your thesis mentor, and to list the contact information of two faculty references, at least one of which should be a faculty member in the School of Education.
At least two interest meetings will be held each spring semester for students who may be interested in learning more about the Honors Program. Dates will be sent out via email announcement to all HDFS and HOLD majors.