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Quick Facts

14 - Rank, based on enrollment, among the top majors at UCF

10th - UCF's ranking among the nation's top-producing institutions of books on criminal justice

9 - Number of summer study abroad programs in Russia lead by Associate Professor K. Michael Reynolds

 

Honors Programs

Introduction The College of Health and Public Affairs collaborates with the UCF Burnett Honors College to offer honors programs that develop students’ critical thinking and problem-solving skills and prepare them for a lifetime of professional and personal achievement.

The Burnett Honors College designs and oversees the academic programs of the most promising undergraduate students at UCF. The programs, in affiliation with the National Collegiate Honors Council, are designed around one concept—academic excellence. The Burnett Honors College consists of two distinct programs, University Honors and Honors in the Major, neither of which is mutually exclusive in that students can enroll in both programs. Students need not be enrolled in University Honors to be eligible for Honors in the Major.

 

 

University Honors Program

University Honors is a four-year program of study designed for incoming freshmen and selected community college honors graduates. Admission to University Honors is processed in the Burnett Honors College at the time of admission to UCF. Successful completion of the University Honors program by students in the College of Health and Public Affairs entails nine credit hours of intensified course work as follows:

University Honors (9 credit hours)

 

  • One University Honors Interdisciplinary Seminar
  • One University Honors Interdisciplinary Seminar OR One Health and Public Affairs Honors Interdisciplinary Course (e.g., Public Affairs Research Methods or Ethics
  • Independent Study (3 credits) OR any Honors Interdisciplinary Seminar/Course

Honors in the Major

The Burnett Honors College coordinates the Honors in the Major (HIM) program, which is designed to encourage the best junior and senior students to undertake original and independent work within their major field. This involves writing a thesis or completing an equivalent, creative and innovative project (usually totaling six credit hours). Interested students from the College of Health and Public Affairs must first apply for this program through the Honors College.

A Health and Public Affairs-HIM student designs an honors thesis or project under the guidance of a faculty mentor from the student’s major program or department. This faculty mentor serves as the chair of the student’s Thesis Committee, which includes a second faculty member from the student’s major program or department and a third faculty member from outside the student’s major. Upon completion of the thesis or project, the student must present an oral defense before this committee.

 

Honors in the Major (6 credit hours)

  • Honors Directed Reading (3 credits) OR One Health and Public Affairs Honors Interdisciplinary Course (e.g., Public Affairs Research Methods) or Ethics*
  • Honors thesis (3 credits including successful completion and defense of a thesis or project)

*Students enrolled in these courses will write a thesis proposal as part of their course work.

For students interested in completing BOTH the University Honors Program and Honors in the Major, the following will satisfy the requirements for both:Honors in the Major and University Honors (9 credit hours)

  • One University Honors Interdisciplinary Seminar
  • One Health and Public Affairs Honors Interdisciplinary Course* OR Honors Directed Reading (3 credits) OR BSC 3404H Quantitative Bio. Methods* (for Molecular Biology and Microbiology students only)
  • Honors thesis (3 credits)

*Students enrolled in these courses will write a thesis proposal as part of their course work.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Students are encouraged to call (407) 823-2076, visit the website at http://honors.ucf.edu, or visit the Burnett Honors College or discuss this option with Criminal Justice department advisors in HPA I Room 311. Click here for a campus map.

CJ Highlights

  • Renee Washington

    (B.S. in criminal justice, minor in information technology, certificate in crime analysis and crime mapping, '09)

    "...the internships I had while attending UCF were instrumental in preparing me for my career." — Renee Washington

    Washington is a full-time associate industrial security representative at Lockheed Martin Missiles & Fire Control in Ocala, Fla.

  • Ross Wolf

    Associate Professor Ross Wolf was one of two recipients of UCF's Award for Excellence in Professional Service in 2010, and one of two recipients of the College of Health and Public Affairs Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award in 2012. He came to UCF in 1999 and since then has participated in countless committees within the department, the College of Health and Public Affairs, and the university. In addition to his faculty position, he currently serves as the Criminal Justice Graduate Program Director and on numerous department, college, and university committees. Wolf also serves as a division chief in the Orange County Sheriff's Office Reserve Unit, and was awarded the U.S. Presidential “Call to Service” award for his community volunteerism.

  • Marva Ellington

    Marva Ellington received UCF's Award for Excellence in Professional Academic Advising in 2010. She is responsible for academic advising of two the largest programs in the College of Health and Public Affairs. She mentors students, listens carefully to student issues and concerns, and assists students in looking ahead and exploring options for growth and self-development. Ellington is a strong advocate for students and looks for solutions in her work that support students, departments and the university.

  • Tom Stroup: Inspiring School Pride

    Tom Stroup, '09 (Criminal Justice Master's Degree), was one of the hosts of the NBC show called School Pride, which aired Fall 2010 that had Cheryl Hines ’90 as an executive producer. Each week, the show empowered communities as cast and crew members to renovate a rundown school and watch as student pride grew. Every episode featured touching personal stories of children, parents and teachers experiencing the amazing transformations of their school grounds and athletic fields. The show also invited viewers to watch for surprise celebrity appearances. For more information, visit www.nbc.com/school-pride.