William O. Douglas Honors College

Prospective Students

As a prospective student considering William O. Douglas Honors College, you find yourself on the cusp of an exciting academic adventure. The college's reputation for academic excellence, vibrant community, and wealth of opportunities calls to you. You pore over brochures, participate in virtual tours, and engage with admission officers to understand what life would be like at this prestigious institution. Each interaction reveals a place that values curiosity, ambition, and diversity, a place where you can see yourself growing and thriving. Questions swirl in your mind about programs, faculty, scholarships, and student life, all answered with warmth and transparency by the college community. The decision ahead feels significant, and the more you explore, the more you realize that William O. Douglas Honors College could be the perfect setting for the next chapter of your educational journey, a place to challenge yourself, discover your potential, and connect with like-minded individuals.

The Advantages of Honors

The reasons are numerous, but here are just a few of the details that make joining the William O. Douglas Honors College a compelling piece of learning at Central Washington University for both first-year and transfer students.

DHC Living Learning Community

Living Learning Communities (LLCs) are curated spaces within CWU's residence halls. Although there are several LLCs across campus, ours is unique for its home in the sustainably constructed Barto Hall usually reserved for first-year students. On the east wing of the second floor, DHC residents have access to study space, lounge area, and laundry facilities.

Unique Interdisciplinary Courses

The professors of the honors college are some of the best CWU has to offer. Each year our faculty propose unique courses they want to teach. These courses are interdisciplinary -- combining topics from several schools of thought -- and feature discussion as the core mode of learning.

Tuition Waivers

Once accepted to the DHC, eligible students may receive a partial tuition waiver. Please contact Christina Denison, Associate Director, for questions about the tuition waiver.

Priority Registration

To ensure students can complete the classes they need, honors undergrads can select their courses before the majority of the university. Additionally, our administration works hard so at least one DHC course of each core subject is offered every quarter.

Satisfies Gen Ed Requirements

For students without an AA, our core curriculum satisfies the university's general education requirements and does so in fewer credits! By taking only two courses more, students can complete the Interdisciplinary Honors Minor.

Upper-Division Capstone

All CWU students are eligible for Upper-Division Honors. Through this tier, students will complete a capstone research project or creative project under the mentorship of a seasoned faculty member.

Student-Led Programming

Whether honors students live on or off campus, they are assigned peer mentors who provide academic and emotional support. Peer mentors also facilitate dynamic events to cultivate community and create lasting memories.

Career Development

Admin, faculty, and students work together to create workshop events for undergrads to prepare for the future. Preparation for grad school apps, resume building, and interview practice are regular staples.

Small Class Sizes

We ensure that DHC professors have the means to connect meaningfully with their pupils. Thus, classes rarely exceed 20 students and are solidly capped at 24.