Kimberly S. Engber, dean
A1180 Shocker Hall • 316-WSU-3375
Dorothy and Bill Cohen Honors College Webpage1
The Cohen Honors College serves as an academic resource center for all students and offers particular benefits for students pursuing an honors curriculum distinction.
We are at the heart of an urban university with high research activity and a commitment to benefit the region and beyond. Honors students reflect these characteristics, seeking the breadth and depth a university offers, along with the perspective and attributes that will enrich their lives and the lives of others.
Cohen Honors students enjoy:
- Interactive and student-centered honors seminar courses with an average student to faculty ratio of 15:1;
- Faculty-led leadership, service-learning and study abroad programs;
- Scholarship funding for applied learning and financial need;
- Priority enrollment each semester;
- 24/7 student lounge with printing;
- Specialized honors advising in collaboration with major college advising; and
- The distinction of earning University Honors with optional emphases in leadership, law and public policy, or departmental honors (honors in the major).
Honors Curriculum Distinction
The Cohen Honors College offers students in any major the opportunity to earn an honors curriculum distinction on the transcript or diploma.
Choosing an honors curriculum means choosing courses and experiences that are measurably broader, deeper or more complex than traditional college-level learning.
Most students work toward the minor in University Honors distinction, an 18-credit program that includes a discussion-based honors seminar, a substantial research or design-thinking experience and presentation, and 12 elective honors credits. Students may choose an area of emphasis (or track) within the minor including the Emory Lindquist Honors Scholar, Honors Leadership, Honors Law and Public Policy, or Departmental Honors track. Most of the courses taken to meet honors requirements also fulfill general education or major requirements. Because of this overlap, we say that Honors is a different way to do your degree, one that engages you more broadly or more deeply than traditional college study. In other words: It's more meaningful work!
The multi-disciplinary Honors Baccalaureate major offers students the opportunity to select two or three concentrations from at least two colleges, choose courses with the approval of faculty mentors, and complete a thesis or capstone project.
High school, transfer and current Wichita State students may apply to join the Dorothy and Bill Cohen Honors College and work toward a curriculum distinction.
Transfer Students
Students who transfer to WSU having completed all or part of an honors program at another university, college or community college should speak to the Honors College dean or advisor about having those credits counted toward an honors award at WSU.
Academic Resources for All Undergraduate Students
Resources available to all students include the first-year research experience program1 (FYRE) and advising for competitive postgraduate scholarship and fellowship applications such as the Fulbright, Marshall, Truman and Rhodes. In addition, any student can request to take one honors course by submitting the permission form available on our website forms page1.
Honors Pillars and Abilities
Members of the Dorothy and Bill Cohen Honors College community pledge to uphold four pillars, aiming to be:
Intellectual
The intelligent person masters the knowledge of a chosen specialty but also knows the value of knowledge from many other disciplines. A true intellectual is not simply a person who knows a lot or gets good grades. An intellectual is an intelligent person with a passion for and interest in knowledge, wisdom and inquiry.
Professional
Professionals get results while committing themselves to high standards. Professionals do a good job for the sake of it. Professionals persevere in passionate pursuit of long-term goals.
Innovative
Innovative people solve problems creatively. They spot needs and take risks that their proposals will satisfy those needs. Innovation often requires bringing together the people, resources and expertise to develop new solutions, a sense of entrepreneurship. Innovation frequently involves interdisciplinary applications — borrowing from one field of endeavor to solve problems in another.
Transformational
Transformational people strive to make a positive difference for a better world, a better community. Transformational people commit themselves passionately to a cause larger than themselves, put themselves in service to others, and practice good citizenship. They open their minds to the diverse views of others and deliberate the issues.
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Policies
Admission Requirements
Admission to the Cohen Honors College is by separate application. There are no minimum ACT/SAT or GPA requirements for admission to the Cohen Honors College.
So how do we determine acceptance? A holistic review of each applicant. We want to learn about you -- how your involvement and experiences have shaped you, your family and community. We look for evidence of qualities such as a creative approach to solving problems; urge to make a positive impact on the community and in the world; open-minded embrace of diversity in backgrounds, values and perspectives; and the willingness and ability to take on intellectual challenges.
While we do not require a minimum ACT/SAT or GPA, we do consider your scores and academic record as part of our review with greater emphasis being placed on your essay and resume.
To receive priority consideration for the Honors College Merit Scholarship, high school seniors must apply by November 1 and transfer students must apply by February 1.
Who Can Apply
Any new incoming WSU student, including freshman and transfer students, and current WSU students. Students who transfer to WSU having completed all or part of an Honors Program at a community college should speak to the Honors College Advisor about having those credits counted toward a Cohen Honors distinction.
Good Standing
To maintain good standing in Honors, students take a minimum of 3 honors credit hours each year or complete an honors track and maintain an overall GPA of 3.250. The Lindquist Honors Scholar track is designed to be completed in the first two years. In order to graduate within four years with the minor in University Honors or the Honors Baccalaureate diploma, students should take at least 6 honors credit hours each year.
Probation and Dismissal
The Dorothy and Bill Cohen Honors College adheres to current WSU Probation and Dismissal policies found in the Academic Probation and Dismissal section of the Undergraduate Catalog with the following exceptions: Honors College students must maintain a GPA of 3.250 and enroll in at least one honors course each year or complete an honors track.
In addition to meeting academic standards, students are expected to follow the Student Code of Conduct which can be found online in section 8.05 of the WSU Policies and Procedures Manual1, and to meet the professional standards governing any organization in which the student is participating as an intern, exchange student or other capacity.
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Courses in the Dorothy and Bill Cohen Honors College
Types of Honors Courses
An ideal honors course is, at its core, an experiment. It boldly challenges assumptions about what we know and how we learn. It emphasizes rigor along with exploration, creativity and discovery. It should provoke students to engage actively in the learning process. It should empower students to participate in academic dialogue, solve real-world problems through research, and draw creative and compelling connections within and across disciplines.
HNRS general education seminars explore interesting topics and engage students in discussion. These courses are offered by the Cohen Honors College, and topics change each semester. Students in the Cohen Honors College may enroll in these classes, and any student may enroll in one HNRS class (Honors form directory1)before applying to be a member of the college. Most HNRS courses fulfill general education requirements. Exceptions include HNRS 485 Honors Independent Research or Creative Activity, HNRS 486 Honors Collaborative Research and Creative Activity Seminar, HNRS 481N Internship, HNRS 410 Independent Study and HNRS 398 Travel Seminar.
“H” departmental honors courses such as PSY 111H, MATH 242H, ECON 201H or ID 300H fulfill general education, prerequisite or major requirements. They are offered by other academic departments and have the letter “H” following the course number and the word “Honors” in the title of the course. Sometimes these are separate classes designed specifically for students in the Honors College or the departmental honors track, and sometimes these courses are offered as a smaller section with special assignments within the regular section of the class.
Turn a regular course into an Honors course with an Honors option agreement1 form. In any course with a fulltime faculty instructor, you may request to earn Honors credit. Examples of work completed to earn Honors credit include:
- Apply in-class knowledge to real-world experience: Research current labor conditions for stagehands, and volunteer for backstage work in a local performance during a Fine Arts course. Write a research and reflection paper.
- Further studies: Read additional primary source materials, solve additional problems, or extend course material in some way that will contribute to the depth of knowledge about the discipline. Share the research or application of knowledge with the instructor and the class.
- Research: Assist the professor with a small part of current research; learn the skills needed to understand plant morphology or to engage in teacher research; prepare for an application for an undergraduate student research grant.
Honors Research Seminar ( HNRS 485 or HNRS 486 ): The Honors Research Seminars present methods of inquiry and research concepts and provide students with opportunities to design and/or participate directly in research projects. Above all, these courses/experiences are designed to develop skills that will serve professionals in every field and career including asking good questions, working effectively independently and collaboratively, and gathering reliable information to find preliminary answers.
Honors Thesis ( HNRS 491) is required for all Honors Baccalaureate students. Any student may choose to complete an Honors Thesis if they have a faculty mentor willing to serve as instructor of record.
Applied Learning: Honors College students are encouraged to engage beyond the classroom in applied learning and may earn honors credit for experiences such as study abroad, service learning and internships. Honors Applied Learning courses include but aren't limited to HNRS 398 Travel Seminar and HNRS 481N Internship.
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