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We cultivate community by striving compassionately for knowledge
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update:
With the closure of schools in Washington State, the WWU Honors team will be working from home. If you need to contact the Honors Program, the best way to reach us is by email.
Honors courses for Fall 2020 will be face to face with some select remote courses. For a comprehensive list of Honors courses and their delivery style, go to ClassFinder and select HNRS under the Subject section.
What's New in Honors
Check out the research our seniors have been doing and support them as they present their findings! Click for the presentation schedule.
Congrats to Honors student Aliyah Dawkins for being awarded an All-America certificate from the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association for her performance during the 2020 indoor track & field season!
Honors at Western
Since its founding in 1962, Western's Honors Program has functioned as a small college within a larger university, incorporating the best aspects of both. The small, diverse classes promote thought-provoking discussions that will challenge your perceptions and foster a strong sense of community within your Honors cohort. You can pursue any major, have access to fellowship and internship advising, and have the option to live in an Honors residential cluster. From captaining our national championship rowing team to editing our newspaper to organizing our TedX event, Western Honors students are campus leaders.
Our Honors Program is structured in a way that provides a graduated, ongoing experience for students as they engage in increasingly sophisticated work while moving through their Western degree. Students in the Honors Program are eligible for HNRS courses and have the opportunity to undertake extended Honors independent study projects in their major fields. Students who complete all the program requirements will receive a minor in Honors Interdisciplinary Studies.
Benefits of the Honors Program
National Recognition
Western’s Honors Program has received recognition as one of the very best in the nation. And, it’s part of Western Washington University, which earns national attention for the overall quality of undergraduate education (U.S. News and World Report, 1998-2016) and top value in public colleges (Kiplinger’s, 2015). Western is also nationally recognized as a leading producer of Student Fulbright Scholars and Peace Corps volunteers, many of whom were WWU Honors Students.
The Best Deal in Higher Education
Eloquently stated in Frank Bruni's piece "A Prudent College Path" in the New York Times, "More and more public schools are starting, expanding, refining and successfully promoting honors programs, and particularly honors colleges, that give students some of the virtues and perks of private schools without some of the drawbacks, such as exorbitant tuition and an enclave of extreme privilege."
Individual Attention
With an average class size of 20 students, Honors students have great opportunities to interact with each other and their professors. This environment promotes a strong sense of community and long-lasting relationships.
Outstanding Professors
The Honors Program brings the best students and faculty together. Faculty enjoy teaching Honors courses due to the small size, spirit of curricular innovation, and exceptionally bright, motivated students.
Diverse Students
Honors students come from all over the United States and abroad. They bring a wide range of perspectives, interests, and talents with them, which enhances the quality of everyone’s education.
Priority Registration
Honors Program students may request priority registration for any 3 quarters during their tenure at WWU (exclusive of their first quarter). Requests for priority registration will be prompted by the Honors Program prior to Phase 1 registration for the upcoming quarter.