Douglas Honors College

The William O. Douglas Honors College (DHC) is Central’s interdisciplinary program for academically talented students. The program is divided into two parts: the Core Curriculum (general education) and Upper Division Honors. The Core Curriculum is composed of a series of courses that emphasize how the arts, humanities, sciences, and social sciences converge in considering important questions. Upper Division Honors involves additional, advanced courses and a culminating research or creative project. DHC also sponsors cultural field trips, guest lectures, and a number of other extracurricular activities.

The college is named for U.S. Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas, a native of Yakima, Washington, and a great supporter of higher education. Following Justice Douglas’ example, the DHC encourages intellectual breadth, academic curiosity, and the application of scholarship to pressing social issues.

Students wishing to apply should contact the DHC office to find out about minimum qualifications and the application process. Students may apply to the honors college at any point in their college career.

DHC students must maintain a high level of academic achievement. All DHC students are held to the academic and behavioral standards as set forth in the DHC Student Code of Conduct.  A DHC student is in good academic standing when his or her cumulative grade point average (GPA) is 3.0 or higher. If a first-year DHC student’s cumulative GPA falls below 3.0 and remains below 3.0 for two consecutive quarters, the student shall be placed on academic warning for one quarter. After the first year, a DHC student will be placed on academic warning if his or her cumulative GPA falls below 3.0 for one quarter. Any student whose cumulative GPA is below 3.0 at time of graduation will not receive honors recognition from the DHC. The DHC director has the discretion to waive and/or modify these standards for individual students as long as such modification does not affect the academic integrity of the DHC, as determined by the DHC director. A student who has been suspended from the DHC for violating the DHC Student Code of Conduct may reapply; however, re-admittance is not guaranteed.

For additional information, visit the DHC website (www.cwu.edu/douglas-honors), stop by the office (Language and Literature Building, room 103), or call 509-963-1900.