There are three options for pursuing an Honors designation at the University of Washington:
IH
students are asked to think intentionally about education, knowledge and interdisciplinarity.
DH
allows students to explore their majors in greater depth by completing upper-level electives, research, or an extended thesis.
CH
is the completion of both Interdisciplinary Honors and Departmental Honors, which allows students to experience both Honors general education & the deeper understanding of their chosen focus.
Interdisciplinary Honors
Interdisciplinary Honors students are asked to think intentionally about education, knowledge, and interdisciplinarity. They take a majority of their UW general education requirements in Honors-specific courses, complete experiential learning requirements, and maintain a portfolio throughout their participation in this curriculum.
Interdisciplinary Honors Admissions
Interdisciplinary Honors Requirements
Departmental Honors
Departmental Honors allows students to explore their majors in greater depth by completing upper-level electives, research, or an extended thesis. Departmental Honors also exposes students to a close working relationship with faculty mentors. Typically, students apply for departmental admission in their junior year of college, although some majors have earlier entrance options.
For Departmental Honors Admissions, Requirements, and Resources, visit the Departmental Honors Requirements:
Departmental Honors Requirements
College Honors
College Honors, the completion of both Interdisciplinary Honors and Departmental Honors, allows students to experience both Honors general education and a deeper understanding of their chosen focus. To earn a College Honors degree, students complete both Interdisciplinary Honors and Departmental Honors in at least one of their majors. Completion of both these requirements earns a student the distinction of graduating “With College Honors in [major]”.
Honors on the UW diploma
On fulfilling both their Honors pathway and major requirements, the distinction of Interdisciplinary, Departmental, or College Honors will be added to students’ UW degree at graduation. This distinction varies by Honors pathway and appears on the transcript and diploma as follows:
- Interdisciplinary Honors: Diploma says “[name of degree] with Interdisciplinary Honors”
- Departmental Honors: diploma says “[name of degree] with Honors in [name of major]”
- College Honors: diploma says “[name of degree] with College Honors in [name of major]”
Please note, for students in the Foster School of Business and the School of Nursing the Honors distinction will appear on the transcript as follows:
- Interdisciplinary Honors: Diploma says “[name of degree] with Interdisciplinary Honors”
- Departmental Honors: diploma says “[name of degree] with Honors”
- College Honors: diploma says “[name of degree] with College Honors”
Other Considerations for Pursuing Honors
Many qualified students decide not to pursue honors. UW students engage in a host of academic and extracurricular activities (public service, athletics, student government) that require serious time commitments. It’s simply not possible to do everything. Incidentally, pursuing honors is not the only means to engage deeply in a field of study that interests you.