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Undergraduate Honors Program

A new Undergraduate Honors Program is now available at University College, the evening and continuing education division of Arts & Sciences at Washington University.  This program offers high-achieving students the opportunity to join a learning community dedicated to an exceptionally rigorous, flexible, and independent program of study that takes advantage of courses and services across Washington University.  The program includes academic and co-curricular activities that build on the experience of adult learners, foster intellectual curiosity, and strengthen skills in critical thinking, reading, writing, and research.  Honors Program course work also engages students with ethical questions, historical and cultural forces, and global perspectives.  A complement of co-curricular opportunities builds leadership skills and sustains a commitment to service.  The Undergraduate Honors Program in University College delivers a challenging academic experience that guides students toward a deeper understanding and more effective use of their intellectual talents, and provides resources and support for more rewarding personal and professional development.

Summary of Honors Program Components   (Click here for the Application)

  • Dedicated Honors Courses
  • Dean’s Honors Seminar
  • Critical and Researched Writing
  • Individual and Organizational Introspection
  • Courses on The American Experience
  • Courses on The Global Environment
  • Day Course Options in Arts & Sciences
  • Departmental Research and Latin Honors
  • Capstone Presentation
  • Dedicated Advising
  • Dedicated Co-Curricular Activities
  • Scholarship ($3,500 toward University College course tuition each fall and spring semester for two years)

Admission

Admission to the Undergraduate Honors Program at University College is competitive and includes:

Provisional Admission

  • Admission to a Bachelor of Science degree program in University College.
  • Completion of the University College Undergraduate Honors Program Application, including the required essay, writing samples, and interview.
  • Completion of a minimum of 60 units of credit in college-level course work, including transfer credit.
  • Minimum overall GPA of 3.5 in college-level course work to date.  Demonstrated academic achievement through a rigorous program of study.

Full Admission

  • Completion of at least 6 units of advanced-level coursework (300 or 400) in the University College major with a 3.5 minimum GPA.
  • Fulfillment of academic department or program admission requirements for honors and subsequent departmental authorization to pursue honor’s research and related coursework.

Prior course work from accredited colleges and universities, as well as professional experience, will be considered in evaluating a student’s eligibility for the Honors Program, but will not replace any of the course or residency requirements associated with the program.

Students must maintain a 3.5 GPA in order to remain in the program and be eligible to graduate with Latin honors.  Honors students’ academic performance will be monitored each semester, and those with a GPA below 3.5 may be dropped from the program.

Upon completion of the Honors Program, eligible students will be awarded the B.S. cum laude, magna cum laude, or summa cum laude through achievement of minimum cumulative averages of 3.5, 3.65, or 3.8 respectively, recommendation by the academic department or program, and evaluation of the research and writing project.

Honors Course Work and Research

Dean’s Honors Seminar:  Principles of Learning, Critical Thinking, and Research

This required first course is the gateway to the Honors Program and the foundation for the honors learning community.  Led by University College deans, along with faculty guest lecturers, the course lays the groundwork for critical thinking, inquiry, and research.  Through an exposure to a range of scholarly research in Arts & Sciences, along with selected readings about great ideas and contemporary issues students will observe and practice critical thinking, and begin to understand how to translate curiosity into potential research.  1 Unit

Critical and Researched Writing

All undergraduate honors students will take a dedicated honors section of the course, “Critical and Research Writing,” the second of two basic writing courses required of all University College undergraduate degree candidates.  Students will investigate how writers engage critically with scholarship and use primary and secondary sources.  Students will work most of the semester on a single research project so that they can see the how their own arguments evolve through detailed analysis of primary material and through the application of ideas in a select group of scholarly sources.  Attention will be given to organization and revision, as well as to the strategies of library research, the conventions of academic citation practices, and the appropriate use of electronic search engines and sources.  3 Units

Individual and Organizational Introspection

All undergraduate honors students will take a dedicated honors section of the course, "Individual and Organizational Introspection," to provide skills and resources for personal and professional development, and to help integrate academic activities with workplace experiences.  This course will count toward the Humanities distribution area in the University College Bachelor of Science degree program.  3 Units

The American Experience

All undergraduate honors students will take two courses that address some facet of the American Experience.  One of the courses may be at the graduate level, most likely in American Culture Studies or MLA.  One of these courses, with authorization, may be a day course.  Both courses must be taken at Washington University.  6 Units

The Global Environment

All undergraduate honors students will take two courses that address some facet of the Global Environment.  One of the courses may be at the graduate level, most likely in International Affairs or MLA.  One of these courses, with authorization, may be a day course.  Two foreign language courses also will fulfill this requirement.  Both courses must be taken at Washington University.  6 Units

Research and Writing Project

All honors students are required to produce a written research project according to requirements, policies, and procedures determined by the relevant academic department or program.  Specific requirements will vary by department or program.  This is a graded tutorial conducted during the student's final year of study that will count toward the student's major.  Students will complete the research project under the supervision of a Washington University faculty member in the student’s major department, selected in consultation with the appropriate University College departmental coordinator.  6 Units.

Additional Honors Program Components

Day Course Options

Undergraduate honors students are eligible to take one day course each semester, with advisor approval.  Day courses may be applied to the American Experience and Global Environment course requirements for the honors program noted above, or more broadly, to requirements for the University College bachelor’s degree.  Day courses will be cross-listed and students will pay evening tuition.

Capstone Oral Presentation

All undergraduate honors students will deliver an oral presentation in a public venue that summarizes the research project; and addresses, through the lens of a common question(s) prepared by University College, what they have learned about America, the world, and their personal and professional goals.

Scholarship

Each honors student will receive $3,500 toward University College undergraduate course tuition each fall and spring semester for two years.  Students starting the summer semester should call 935-6700 to discuss.

Co-Curricular Activities

Co-curricular programs, with an emphasis on service and leadership, will be designed to build a tighter sense of community among undergraduate honors students.

Advising

Dedicated academic advising for University College honors students is provided by University College advisors and departmental faculty.  Research projects will be supervised by a Washington University faculty member in the student’s major department.