The TEAM honors program in the Department of Teacher Education has been established for undergraduate students who have demonstrated high academic achievement. The major purpose of the honors program is to give selected students an opportunity to expand their knowledge of the teaching profession. The program is designed to provide honors students with additional field, seminar, and research experiences that will enhance their effectiveness as teachers. students qualifying for the Teacher Education Honors Program are encouraged to enroll in honors sections of general education coursework, where possible..

Honors seminars are offered each semester to complement the internship, content and theory. Seminars will focus on topics of immediate concern to interns, research, professionalism, and reflection. Seminars will broaden the knowledge of preservice teachers and give them insights into leadership responsibilities in their profession.

Honors research gives students an opportunity to work with professors having similar research interests. Research topics may be selected from a range of areas and they should reflect the student’s particular interests.

Honors students must follow the same curriculum as other elementary education majors in general education, preprofessional studies, and teaching specialty courses. They will enroll in the regular elementary education methods courses, but will contract with the teacher to enhance experiences demonstrating honors-level talent and motivation.

Students successfully completing the honors program with a concurrent enrollment in the directed teaching block and Thesis Presentation will receive:

1. Initial paid membership to Kappa Delta Pi or Phi Delta Kappa
2. an honors medallion to be worn at commencement exercises
3. honors distinction on their diploma
4. a banquet in their honor the spring of their senior year
5. and special consideration in awarding scholarships.

Honors Program Admission requirements

1. High school GPA 3.0 or above
2. Minimum ACT composite score of 24 or higher or minimum SAT composite score of 970 or higher
3. Full time student enrollment
4. Successful interview with faculty (completed during the TEEL 273 Professional Practice & Observation course)
5. Written statement from student expressing his/her qualifications and aspirations
6. Two letters of recommendation from educators
7. Completion of TEEL 273 Professional Practice & Observation with a grade of A (Fall semester)
8. One FHSU faculty recommendation
9. Completion of PPST test (or equivalent) with passing scores in minimum of two areas

The chair of the Teacher Education Department reserves the right to make exception to the requirements for the Honors Program only after written documentation warrants such an exception. Contact the chair of the department for additional course requirements.