College of Education and Human Ecology Honors Program
The Education and Human Ecology Honors program is designed to enhance your educational experience through faculty collaboration and hands-on experiential learning. Our Experiential Learning Projects focus on research, professional and community-building skills, preparing you to make meaningful connections and contributions for your success.
Honors Requirements
- Minimum of 18 credit hours of Honors-Quality courses
- Honors section of EHE 1100
- Completion of Experiential Learning Project
- Honors e-portfolio
- 3.5 Ohio State GPA
Honors-Quality Credit Options
- Courses designated with an H (“Honors”) or E (“Honors Embedded”)
- Research methods courses (must be pre-approved by EHE Honors) outside of the primary major program requirements
- 4000-level or higher courses outside of the primary major program requirements
- Research credits taken with faculty
- Independent Study credits outside of the primary major program requirements with faculty
- Study Abroad credits (up to 9 credits)
- Graduate level courses by permission
Experiential Learning Project (ELP)
The Experiential Learning Project is an opportunity for students to select from a range of pathways to enhance their own academic knowledge and interests. Students will select an Experiential Learning Project (ELP) in which they build knowledge and skills in real-world situations, connect to communities and integrate their experiences with their academics. Students select one of the options below to complete throughout their academic career.
Students conceptualize, develop and execute their own research thesis under the guidance of a faculty mentor. The undergraduate thesis option is tailored for students seeking to delve deeply into a subject of their choosing, demonstrating their capacity for independent inquiry and scholarly research. As a culmination of their research, students will produce a final thesis that encapsulates their research findings. Students will additionally complete a thesis defense and approval from a faculty committee. This is the only pathway that offers students the Honors Research Distinction upon graduation.
Through faculty-led collaboration and mentorship, students will develop essential research skills, enhance their critical thinking abilities and deepen their understanding of their chosen subject matter. The final product of the undergraduate research project may take various forms, including but not limited to co-authored publications, research papers, visual presentations or other scholarly outputs.
Students pursue an additional internship experience beyond the existing requirements for their major. The internships pursued through this option offer a unique opportunity for specialized skill development and career exploration beyond the basic requirements embedded in the major curriculum. An advanced internship may be completed within the same professional organization as a previous internship but must take place during a separate semester from the internship used for the major requirement. Students will engage in self-reflection and career development and will produce a final visual presentation, impact report or other product showing engagement and achievement throughout their internship.
As the broadest of the ELP pathways, this option allows students to partner with an organization or faculty member to design, plan and implement individual service-learning projects that address pressing issues and contribute to a positive change within their community. Whether collaborating with local organizations or community stakeholders, participants will have the opportunity to make a meaningful difference through hands-on, immersive experiences that leverage their academic knowledge and skills to address real-world challenges. The final product of the Community Engagement Project may take various forms, including co-authored publications, research papers, visual presentations, impact reports or other creative mediums.
Interested in joining the EHE Honors Program?
Students may join the EHE Honors Program in one of three ways:
- Apply for the Honors program with your application to the university. You can learn more about the application for prospective Ohio State students by contacting Undergraduate Admissions or the University Honors and Scholars Center.
- Current EHE students can apply to join EHE Honors if they have a 3.5 or higher Ohio State cumulative GPA. To enter EHE Honors for Summer 2025 or Autumn 2025, students must apply by February 21, 2025. Access the application by clicking here.
- Transition from another Ohio State Honors program when major-changing into the College of Education and Human Ecolo. Students changing their major who already have honors status do not need to reapply but will need to contact Pete Locascio to discuss college-specific Honors requirements.
Current EHE Honors Students
EHE Honors students can visit PebblePad to access their e-portfolio and program materials.
Please contact Pete Locascio at locascio.7@osu.edu