The Honors Program is a university-wide undergraduate program designed to offer highly motivated and advanced students the opportunity to enhance their intellectual and personal growth within a community of learners by engaging them in rigorous honors-designated coursework, interdisciplinary seminars, professional development opportunities, extended research and creative projects, and community service.
The program will offer courses that are small in size and that develop the intellectual potential of students through activities that:
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develop communication skills
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incorporate interdisciplinary focus
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prompt analysis of their own and others’ assumptions
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enhance research skills
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develop critical reading, writing, speaking, problem solving, and thinking skills that incorporate information literacy, and an appreciation of audience
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include greater breadth than non-Honors course sections
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incorporate enrichment opportunities for students and faculty
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include innovative pedagogy and utilize flexible approaches that accommodate different learning styles
Most students entering the Honors Program will do so upon admission to the university (Track A). Students are admitted to the Honors Program based on screenings by the admissions office and the Honors Program committee that include consideration of high school GPA, application essays, activities, and rigor of high school curriculum. See additional details about admission to the Honors Program in the section of the Catalog explaining about Admission to Special Programs.
Space permitting, others may apply for acceptance after matriculation, during their first year (Track B). Note that this application process is competitive and applicants must have a 3.2 overall UMW GPA or higher; an application with essay; a record of community service, campus involvement, or leadership; and one letter of recommendation from UMW faculty.
Completion of the Honors Program requirements will be recognized at graduation and indicated on the transcript as “University Honors.” Note that departmental Honors will continue to be distinct from the Honors Program. Honors in each discipline will still be administered by academic departments based on requirements they determine (see individual departments for details).
Honors Program Goals
Upon successful completion of the Honors Program requirements, students earning University Honors will be able to:
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Employ Self-Directed Learning
Students will take initiative in setting personal learning goals, identifying resources and opportunities, managing their time effectively, and monitoring their progress. They will independently pursue academic and personal opportunities, demonstrating responsibility and motivation in their learning journey. -
Cultivate Lifelong Learning Skills
Students should develop habits of continuous learning, including curiosity, adaptability, resilience, and a commitment to staying informed and educated throughout their lives, both professionally and personally. -
Recognize Interdisciplinary Connections
Students should identify and integrate knowledge, methods, and perspectives from multiple disciplines to better understand complex issues, generate innovative solutions, and approach problems holistically. -
Engage in Scholarly and Creative Inquiry
Students should participate actively in creative processes, research, and investigation that involve critical thinking, analysis, synthesis, and original contributions to knowledge or artistic expression. -
Practice Self-Reflection and Metacognition
Students should regularly evaluate their own thinking, academic performance, and learning processes; use feedback constructively; and adjust their strategies to improve understanding, effectiveness, and personal growth. -
Demonstrate Cultural and Global Awareness
Students should exhibit understanding, sensitivity, and respect for diverse cultural perspectives, global issues, and international contexts, and apply this awareness in both academic and social settings. -
Exhibit Ethical Behavior and Responsible Leadership
Students should act with integrity, take responsibility for their actions, make decisions guided by ethical principles, and demonstrate conscientious and impactful leadership qualities. -
Participate in Civic and Community Engagement
Students should actively engage in their communities; contribute to the common good through volunteerism, service learning, advocacy, or civic initiatives; and demonstrate awareness of social responsibilities and the impact of civic participation. -
Develop Collaborative Learning and Problem-Solving Skills
Students should effectively work with others in diverse teams, demonstrate interpersonal and communication skills, and apply collective knowledge to analyze problems, develop solutions, and achieve shared goals. -
Connect Academic Learning to Real-World Experiences
Students should apply theoretical knowledge to practical situations through internships, service projects, applied research, or other experiential learning opportunities that bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world application.
Honors Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| HONR 101 | Honors City as Text | 1 |
| HN-designated coursework (could include HN-FSEM 100) | 12 | |
| HONR 201 | Honors Service Learning | 1 |
| Honors Capstone Project 1 | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 17 | |
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Course approved by Honors Program Committee.
Additionally each student will be required to:
- complete the HONR 005 Honors Capstone Preparation at least one semester prior to the capstone project,
- complete the Honors Program leadership requirement, HONR 002 Honors Leadership,
- maintain an Honors portfolio, HONR 004 Honors Portfolio,
- complete one co-curricular event summary per semester at UMW, HONR 003 Honors-Co-curricular Events, and
- maintain the required GPA.
Honors Program
Kelli M. Slunt, Program Director and Professor of Chemistry
Brooke E. Di Lauro, Associate Director and Professor of French
Robert L. Wells, Associate Director and Associate Professor of Music
The Honors Program thrives on the exemplary teaching of UMW’s fine faculty. Affiliated faculty teach Honors-designated classes and advise Honors Capstones. Participating faculty varies by semester.
Agreement with The George Washington University Medical School
This agreement allows UMW Honors Scholars to apply for conditional acceptance to the medical school during the second year of college. Individuals with competitive SAT or ACT scores, who are in good standing in the UMW Honors Program, have at least a 3.5 UMW GPA, have completed at least two semesters of chemistry and two semesters of biology or physics, as well as a social/behavioral science course with no science grade below a B-, and have participated in some patient related health care are invited to apply in March of their sophomore year at UMW. Early acceptance candidates must pursue a major or minor in a humanities area and complete all required pre-medical coursework.
Note: the application process is competitive and not all students who meet the criteria will be selected. All decisions of The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences are final and there is no appeal process.