Honors - EWU - The Region's Polytechnic

Why Join EWU Honors?

We're an inclusive community dedicated to community engagement, civic responsibility, and social justice—locally and globally.

Open to All Majors

Whether you’re majoring in mechanical engineering, English, design, or anything in between, the Honors Program is built to support your unique academic and professional goals.

Early Research Opportunities

At EWU—a proud Research 1 university—you’ll start meaningful projects your first year. Design your own research path and collaborate with professors and professionals who share your interests.

Small Class Sizes

Our discussion-based courses are capped at 20 students, ensuring an intimate and engaging learning environment. This setup aims to foster curiosity, critical thinking, and strong relationships with faculty and peers.

Guided Independence

Our program gives you flexibility to explore independently while offering dedicated support to help you manage your time, finances, and academic expectations.

Diverse Perspectives

Honors students represent a wide range of backgrounds, identities, abilities, and interests. What they share is a desire to lead, grow, and make a positive impact in the world.

The Honors Difference

“Participating in the honors program at EWU was an honor for me. The professors and classes were an amazing way to begin my journey of collegiate learning. I cannot express enough what an incredible experience it was to be a part of this program.

I took this wonderful experience for granted. Once I returned to Alaska for the remainder of my schooling, I realized how supportive and encouraging the EWU Honors Program really was. Thank you for everything you do!” — Adrienne Whitehead

Honors Student Experience

Want to know what it’s really like? Get a glimpse into the program.

EWU Honors Classes

Honors students at EWU take unique, interdisciplinary courses specifically designed for the program. These discussion-based classes encourage students to explore big questions and connect ideas across different fields.

Here are a few examples of past and present Honors courses:

Research Methods for Social Change
Making Sense of the Cosmos
History of Women in Science
Medical Anthropology
Social and Political Philosophy
Issues in Global Culture
The Body in Art
Science and Religion: Four Views

Honors classes are taught by dedicated, experienced faculty who challenge students to think critically, collaborate, and apply their knowledge to real-world issues.

Curriculum Details

Honors students enjoy a tour during their study abroad trip.

Honors Program Benefits

Travel and Study Abroad

Take your learning beyond the classroom—and Washington—with opportunities to study abroad and gain real-world experience.

Honors Lounge Access

Enjoy a cozy, student-only space that provides coffee, snacks, study areas, and a place to recharge or connect with peers.

Personalized Mentorship

Faculty and professional mentors will guide you through challenges, support your research, and expand your network.

Intro to Honors

Start strong with a foundational course designed to set expectations, build your confidence, and ease your transition into college life.

Honors Curriculum

Exclusive Scholarships

Top-performing Honors students may be invited to apply for the Orland and Bernice Killin Scholarship, one of EWU’s most prestigious awards.

Honors Scholarships

Setting Students Up for Success

For Psychology major Alexandra Franks, EWU Honors was a pivotal part of her journey. After completing the foundational Honors courses, she gained the confidence to excel, graduating magna cum laude and earning a rare, competitive graduate assistantship.

Today, she works on a preschool and early childhood assessment team that helps identify children in need of specially designed instruction before they start kindergarten.

"I really valued my time in the EWU Honors Program. The freshman series of courses provided a great foundation as I began my educational career and helped me find the drive to accomplish all my educational goals.” — Alexandra Franks

Honors Outcomes

Students share how the program helped them reach their academic and career goals.

Kristen Zangar

“A month before graduation, I was offered a therapist position at my internship site Frontier Behavioral Health Child & Family. I am now working there full-time as a child therapist.”

Joseph Kersh

“I was accepted to a month-long physical therapy internship at the Rusk Rehabilitation Center, located at New York University’s Langone Medical Center. Rusk Rehabilitation is ranked in the top 10 rehabilitation hospitals in the United States.

The hospital specializes in neurological rehabilitation for spinal and brain injuries, as well as for neurological disability rehab. This is exciting for me, as this is the field of physical therapy that I wish to specialize in.

Kyla Evans

“I now have a Master of Science in Public Service Management from the School of Public Service at DePaul University. I graduated with distinction in June 2013.

Recently, I accepted a position as Research and Program Assistant for the Institute of Health and Recovery (IHR) in Cambridge, MA. IHR focuses on family recovery programs for people who have substance abuse issues and/or mental health diagnoses.”

Goals for an EWU Honors Education

We empower students to become leaders who tackle today’s challenges with passion, innovation, and a commitment to social justice.

Critical, Analytical, and Creative Thinking

Effective and Articulate Oral and Written Communication

Discipline-Appropriate Research Skills

Leadership, Civic Responsibility, and Social Justice

Our Core Values

Expand All

Through an engaging curriculum, we seek to develop and enhance the academic skills, intellectual curiosity, and commitment to lifelong learning of each student.

We seek to create a shared sense of belonging that explores both the benefits and responsibilities of being a part of a community. Our concept of community applies to not just the Honors Program, but also to EWU, the Eastern Washington region, and beyond.

We believe leadership is an intentionally collaborative process built on the values of individuals working to create positive social change. Rather than a position, we foster leadership that is about choosing actions that create desired change for a better future.

We provide opportunities for students to be civically active and engaged participants in their communities with a strong commitment and responsibility to work with others towards public purposes.

We encourage Honors students to explain the root causes of injustice, discuss effective methods for preventing and responding to injustice, evaluate the implications of different ethical perspectives, and reflect on their own attitudes and beliefs based on experiences with people and communities different from their own.

We encourage Honors students to engage in research in their various disciplines to generate innovative approaches that promote a more just and equitable community.