UW Tacoma Honors Programs

UW Tacoma Honors Programs

Overview

Honors education is characterized by in-class and extracurricular activities that are measurably broader, deeper, or more complex than comparable learning experiences typically found at institutions of higher education. Honors experiences include a distinctive learner-directed environment and philosophy, provide opportunities that are appropriately tailored to fit the institution's culture and mission, and frequently occur within a close community of students and faculty.  -National Collegiate Honors Council (NCHC)

Global Honors

The Global Honors Program is the University of Washington Tacoma's interdisciplinary campus honors program, adding distinction to the bachelor's degree.   More information about the program and application and admissions process can be found on the Global Honors webpage.

Program Benefits

Global Honors offers a stimulating learning environment, an innovative and experientially rich curriculum, highly invested faculty, generous scholarships and awards, specialized advising, and an active community of critically engaged students. Open to qualified students of all majors, it is designed to increase the depth and breadth of student understanding of critical global issues.

Program Requirements

To be eligible for the Global Honors distinction, students must:

  • Have a 3.3 or higher cumulative grade point average (either from UW Tacoma or as an incoming transfer) at the time of admission
  • A minimum of 45 credits at the time of admission
  • Complete the required Global Honors curriculum (17-23 credits) 
  • Maintain a GPA of 3.3 or above in all Global Honors courses as well as a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or above in all UW Tacoma coursework
  • Complete a capstone thesis or project, study abroad, or internship under the supervision of a faculty advisor, earning a 3.3 minimum grade 
  • Present at the annual Global Engagement Conference

Global Honors Distinction is included on the University of Washington diploma and transcript.  Graduates also receive a certificate, pin and ivory cord, and are listed in the UW Tacoma Commencement program.

Program Accreditation

Global Honors is an institutional member of the National Collegiate Honors Council (NCHC) as well as the Western Regional Honors Council (WRHC).

 

Major-Integrated Global Honors

Major-Integrated Global Honors pathways permit students within certain UW Tacoma Schools and Programs to substitute honors-approved major courses for Global Honors requirements to earn Global Honors Distinction.

For all pathways, Major-Integrated Global Honors students must complete:

  • one Global Honors introductory course (2 or 5 credits);
  • one Global Honors core course (5 credits)
  • one Global Honors capstone preparatory course (2 credits)
  • one Global Honors capstone presentation (1 credit)

Other requirements vary by major.  More information about these pathways can be found on the Major-Integrated Global Honors webpage.

Requirements

To be eligible for the Major-Integrated Global Honors distinction, students must:

  • Have a 3.3 or higher cumulative grade point average (either from UW Tacoma or as an incoming transfer) at the time of admission
  • A minimum of 45 credits at the time of admission
  • Complete the required Major-Integrated Global Honors pathway curriculum.
  • Maintain a GPA of 3.3 or above in all Global Honors courses as well as a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or above in all UW Tacoma coursework
  • Complete a capstone thesis or project, study abroad, or internship under the supervision of a faculty advisor, earning a 3.3 minimum grade 
  • Present at the annual Global Engagement Conference

Global Honors Distinction is included on the University of Washington diploma and transcript.  Graduates also receive a certificate, pin and ivory cord, and are listed in the UW Tacoma Commencement program.

Departmental Honors

Departmental honors designation pathways are offered within certain UW Tacoma majors.

The School of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences currently offers honors designations in four majors:

Requirements typically include a minimum 3.5 cumulative GPA at the time of declaration, plus completion of one or more additional writing, senior seminar and capstone courses.

Baccalaureate Honors

Baccalaureate honors (summa cum laude, magna cum laude, cum laude) are awarded only to recipients of a first baccalaureate degree.  These honors are earned by students who have completed no fewer than 90 residence credits at UW Tacoma. At least 60 of the 90 credits must have been acquired on a graded basis.

The UW Honors Committee determines annually the grade-point requirement for baccalaureate honors at each campus. In recent years, approximately ten percent of students have been awarded baccalaureate honors. For students completing coursework for spring and summer, baccalaureate honors are projected based on grade point average at the end of winter quarter.

The GPAs for baccalaureate honors are set each year for the following year (autumn through summer) by a committee of faculty, based on statistics for the current year. Current UW Tacoma Baccalaureate Honors requirements are outlined on the UW Tacoma Office of the Registrar website.

Faculty Honors

Faculty honors are awarded at graduation to undergraduate students earning their first baccalaureate degree whose GPA is in the upper 10 percent of their program and who have earned between 43 and 89 graded credits at the UW.  Current UW Tacoma Faculty Honors requirements are outlined on the UW Tacoma Office of the Registrar website.

Dean's List (quarterly/annual)

Quarterly Dean's List

The quarterly dean's list includes the names of matriculated undergraduate students who have attained a quarterly grade point average of 3.5 in the final grades for at least 12 graded credits. Appropriate high-scholarship entries are made on the student’s permanent academic record.

Annual Dean's List

The yearly award for high scholarship is recorded on the academic transcript of undergraduate students enrolled for three quarters of the academic year (summer through spring) and who earned a quarterly GPA of 3.50 in 12 or more numerically graded credits each quarter. It is also recorded for students enrolled for four quarters who met the standard just mentioned and also earned a quarterly GPA of 3.5 or better in the fourth quarter if enrolled for 10 or more credits. Students on an annual dean's list receive a certificate and a letter of congratulations from the UW Tacoma chancellor.

UW Tacoma freshmen, sophomores and juniors who make the Quarterly and Annual Dean's Lists are encouraged to pursue added distinction by applying to the Global Honors Program.

Honors Societies

Honors Societies include clubs and organizations that are generally independent of UW Tacoma. Location specific chapters may nonetheless be endorsed as UW Tacoma Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) or recognized by specific UW Tacoma Schools, Programs and Majors.

Eligibility is typically based on GPA, and membership generally requires a fee. Membership of these organizations generally does not signify a differentiated learning experience or curricular content, and does not culminate in a UW Tacoma distinction or transcription.

Discipline-affiliated honors societies at UW Tacoma currently include:

Other UW Tacoma Distinctions

The President's Medal

The President's Medal, which is conferred at Commencement, recognizes the graduating senior who has the most distinguished academic record. Candidates must be within the top 2% of the graduating class in their academic program and must have either graduated (in autumn or winter quarter) or submitted a graduation application to graduate (in spring or summer quarter) during the respective academic year.

Information about Eligibility and the Selection Process.

The Chancellor's Medal

The Chancellor's Medal, which is conferred at Commencement, recognizes the graduating senior for his or her extraordinary achievement as a student at UW Tacoma. Nominees must have earned a 3.0 Cumulative grade point average or above and are earning a degree in autumn, winter, spring, or summer of the respective academic year. The award recognizes an individual who has been a consistent source of inspiration for faculty and fellow students alike, and has overcome significant obstacles in order to complete a degree.

Information about Eligibility and the Selection Process.