Honors

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Honors College, University Interdisciplinary Programs

Introduction

Western’s Honors College allows students to combine the best of a private liberal arts college experience (small classes, interaction with professors and other students, and the opportunity to work on research and creative activities with faculty) with the advantages of a much larger public institution, including a wide variety of majors, outstanding academic facilities, and numerous extra-curricular options.

The Honors College is structured in a way that provides a graduated, on-going experience for students as they engage in increasingly sophisticated work while moving through their Western degree.

Admission is selective - students apply to join the College through a supplemental application accessed from the Honors College website. Transfer students or students already enrolled in the university may apply to the College on the bases of academic record, a writing sample, a personal essay, and the recommendation of a university or other faculty member.

Students in the Honors College are eligible for HNRS courses and have the opportunity to undertake extended Honors independent study projects in their major fields.

Students interested in Honors should contact the Honors College in Old Main 330, 360-650-3034, or visit the Honors College website, for more information.

Why Consider Joining the Honors College?

Suggested especially for students seeking to get the most from their college experience.

Contact Information

Program Manager
Kate Stevenson
Old Main 332
360-650-3034
Kate.Stevenson@wwu.edu

Honors College Director
Kimberly Lynn
Old Main 330I
360-650-4869
Kimberly.Lynn@wwu.edu

Sample Careers

Honors works with all majors at Western.

Major/Career Resources

careercenter.wwu.edu/connectmajorcareer

Grade Requirements

Students must maintain a 3.50 grade point average for the last 90 graded credits of university work for University Honors recognition at graduation.

Requirements for Graduation through the Honors College

Classes in the first and second year apply to the student’s General University Requirements. Classes may be applied to the GUR area indicated for each class.

First-Year Honors:
❑ HNRS 103 - Navigating the Human Experience - Pre-modernity Credits: 4 (Humanities)
❑ HNRS 104 - Navigating the Human Experience - Modernity Credits: 4 (Humanities)
❑ HNRS 105 - Navigating the Human Experience - Post-modernity A Credits: 4 (ACGM)
or
❑ HNRS 106 - Navigating the Human Experience - Post-modernity B Credits: 4 (BCGM)
Freshmen with science and mathematics interests are encouraged to consider enrollment in one or more of the following Honors Classes:
MATH 134 - Calculus I Honors Credits: 5
MATH 135 - Calculus II Honors Credits: 5
MATH 138 - Accelerated Calculus Credits: 5
CHEM 175 - General Chemistry I, Honors Credits: 5
CHEM 176 - General Chemistry II, Honors Credits: 5
CHEM 225 - General Chemistry III, Honors Credits: 5
Lower Division Honors Colloquia:
❑ Two Honors Colloquia. Classes are at the 200-level, and a variety is offered each year in areas such as psychology, philosophy, anthropology, and economics. A maximum of one colloquium is waived for students with credit in one course or series of the following: MATH 134, MATH 135, MATH 138; CHEM 175, CHEM 176, CHEM 225.

*Students who have received their DTA-AA through Running Start may substitute one or both colloquia with seminar courses.
Upper Division Honors Seminars:
❑ A minimum of two Honors seminars. HNRS 350 seminars are offered in a broad array of fields each year, and offerings change from year to year.

In some cases, students may apply HNRS seminars to their majors or their GURs, with permission of the Honors College director or the Honors advising staff, and the department concerned.
Honors Capstone Project:
❑ An Honors Senior Project is required for graduation through the Honors College. This is concentrated work in a student’s major field or another field. It is not unusual for a student to be engaged in Senior Project work before their final year. Students must take one credit of HNRS 390, Honors Capstone Project Preparation and a minimum of 2 credits of HNRS 490, Senior Project.

Requirements for already enrolled Western students and transfer students (by Honors advising):

❑ Four Honors seminars
❑ Senior Project

University Graduation Requirements

General University Requirements 2024-25
Writing Proficiency Requirement (WP)
180 Minimum Total Credits
60 Minimum Upper Division Credits
Residency Requirement
Minimum Grade Requirements
Final Quarter Requirement