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Welcome to the Washington State University Honors College! As one of the oldest (founded in 1960) and most well known programs in the nation, we offer a highly developed, enriched curriculum designed to help the academically talented student to make the most of his or her education at WSU. What is Honors, actually? As a curriculum, it's the alter ego or twin of the GERs, or General Education Requirements. As an ideal, it's a passion for learning and a dedication to wide-ranging intellectual curiosity. As a college, it's a dedication to these things in an international context that values foreign language study and education abroad. Why Honors? Given that most college graduates will change jobs five to seven times in their careers, and that specialized knowledge is outdated within five years after graduation, a coherent and well-structured general education makes a critical difference to one's long-range personal and professional development. Students have the opportunity to take ownership of their learning in an interactive classroom environment. Also, graduation through the Honors College will be noted on your final transcript and can be a deciding factor in future employment or graduate school opportunities. A student in any major may follow the Honors curriculum. The curriculum works together with the student's major to provide a breadth of knowledge, and to develop skills in critical thinking, writing, independent research, presentation, and teamwork. The Honors College experience offers small classes taught by some of the best professors on campus. An Honors education prepares a student personally and professionally for leadership and service in local, national, and global communities. At the lower division, Honors courses introduce students to the broad domains of scholarly inquiry: humanities and arts, social sciences, mathematics, and physical and biological sciences. At the upper division, Honors courses take our interdisciplinary approach to the study of civilization, arts, and sciences. The Honors thesis or project allows students to choose an issue of interest to them, and working closely with a faculty member, to create a significant paper and presentation that ties together the student's own ideas with the scholarly discourse in the field. The thesis builds upon and demonstrates the skills for life-long learning that have been developed through the Honors curriculum. The Honors College also provides an opportunity for students who are academically talented and motivated to develop their gifts and skills, much like VoJazz, the Marching Band, or Madrigal Singers provide opportunities for the musically talented; or as athletic teams develop athletically talented students. Students from all backgrounds find a home in Honors, because talent and motivation are found everywhere. Please don't hesitate to stop by and introduce yourself, and to meet our wonderful, dedicated faculty and staff. Sincerely, Dean Mary Wack Contact us: honors@wsu.edu 509 335-4505 | Accessibility | Copyright | Policies Honors College, PO Box 642012, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-2012 USA