James Scholar Honors Program

Congratulations on your membership to the School of Social Work James Scholar Honors Program! Your acceptance means that you have worked hard in your academics and have been identified as an exceptional model in our BSW Program. Your status as a James Scholar student recognizes the potential you hold to be a leader in the profession of Social Work and in our Illinois community.

Mission:

The mission of the James Scholar Honors Program within the School of Social Work BSW Program is to nurture exceptional social work scholars who are deeply committed to advancing social justice, empowering marginalized communities, and alleviating poverty and oppression. Through rigorous academic programs, mentorship, and experiential learning, we prepare our honors students to be compassionate leaders, researchers, and practitioners who drive positive change in our School, on our campus, and in society. Our JSHP graduates will be equipped with the knowledge, skills, and ethical foundation to transform lives, advocate for disempowered and marginalized communities, and create evidence-based solutions to address pressing social challenges.

Eligibility:

Full-time Student

James Scholar students must be full-time (minimum of 12 credit hours per semester). One underload (semester below 12 hours) is admissible with prior approval from the BSW Program Director.

GPA Requirement

Eligible students will have a cumulative University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign GPA of 3.50 at the end of every academic year. James Scholar students achieving below a 3.50 GPA may petition the BSW Program Director to continue in the JSHP for one semester.  If a semester 3.50 GPA is not achieved in the following semester, the student will be dismissed from the JSHP. Any student dismissed may self-nominate or be nominated by a School of Social Work faculty or staff in future semesters where the GPA requirement of 3.50 is achieved.

Academic Integrity

James Scholar students and nominees are held responsible for adherence to the rules for Academic Integrity at Illinois (Code of Policies and Regulations Applying to all Students, Article 1, Part 4). Students who are/have been found to have violated Academic Integrity according to Article 1, Part 4 will be automatically dismissed from and/or ineligible for the JSHP.

How to Become a James Scholar Honors Program Student:

There are two ways to be admitted to the James Scholars Honors Program:

1. Self-nominate yourself by emailing or talking with the BSW Program Advisor
2. Nominated by a School of Social Work faculty or staff member. Faculty and staff may nominate a student by contacting the BSW Academic Advisor, BSW Program Director, and/or the BSW Admission and Records Officer.

All students nominated for the program will be reviewed for eligibility prior to admission.

Benefits of the James Scholar Honors Program:

• Priority registration
• Engagement in student opportunities for learning, scholarship, and professional growth.
• Opportunity to apply for the JSHP Research and Development Scholarship to support participation in conferences, workshops, research presentations, certificate programs, and more.
• James Scholar honors cord at graduation
• Special distinction as a James Scholar on your final transcript upon graduation
• Belonging to the JSHP community and participation in an annual celebration
• Eligible for honors Living Learning Community housing: https://honors.illinois.edu/community/honors-living-learning-community/

Participation:

Honors Points

Students will earn honors points each year by engaging in learning opportunities that may include: special projects connected to Social Work courses, participation in undergraduate research opportunities, taking on leadership roles, and more. James Scholar Honor point opportunities will help you to explore new experiences, develop critical thinking skills, and grow as a social work student and professional.

James Scholar students must earn at least 4 points for each academic year, or 2 points per academic semester, of participation.

For example: James Scholar participation beginning Freshman year:

• End of first academic year: 4 points
• End of second academic year: 8 points
• End of third academic year: 12 points
• End of fourth academic year: 16 points

Students can stay on pace with earning points by completing one activity each semester.  Students earning the required GPA but not earning honors points resulting in falling behind in the 4 point/year earning pace will need to submit a statement in the Canvas site to share information about what has delayed their progress in this area.  This information will be used to support JSHP students in continuing to move forward and meet all requirements to graduate with James Scholar honors. Students can “bank” points or work ahead and earn more than 2 points/semester is HCLA forms are approved.  However, completing at least 2 honors points/year are required to maintain engagement with JSHP.

Point expectations do not begin until a student is accepted into the JSHP.  Students joining the JSHP community after their freshman year will have pro-rated point expectations based on their year in school and/or time to graduation.  For example, a student admitted into the JSHP as a Junior would only be expected to earn 8 points, or 4 points for each academic year remaining until graduation.

Students must be admitted into the JSHP by the start of the senior year. This will allow the student to earn a minimum of 4 honor points through participation in the program prior to graduating with honors.

In order to earn points, you will submit a Honors Credit Learning Agreement (HCLA) for each activity you plan to complete at the start of each semester. An online Canvas site has been created for James Scholar Honors students to access and submit HCLA forms and any other documentation required for approval of activities that earn honors points.  In addition, you will be able to monitor your honors points in the Canvas site.