Honors Program

Trinity Despeaux 2023 Testimonial

Applications Open

Applications are open for incoming, first-time, full-time students. Honors Program students receive a $1,000 scholarship.

April 1 – 30 — Priority Admission
- CWI swag will be awarded to students accepted by April 30!
June 1 – Aug. 15 — Secondary Admission

Maximize your educational experience, and become a leader in the classroom and out in the community as a member of College of Western Idaho's Honors Program. Complete your degree while engaging in academic, social, and civic opportunities created to expand the depth and scope of your knowledge and develop interpersonal and professional skills.

This two-year program is open to academic transfer, career technical education, and continuing dual credit students. As an Honors Program student, you will complete specific degree requirements as well as honors-designated courses culminating in the creation and presentation of a project related to your chosen major.

Benefits

Supplement your chosen degree program with diverse course opportunities, connect with classmates who share similar, high-achieving goals, learn from distinguished faculty in specifically designed honors courses, and receive a $1,000 scholarship!

As a member of CWI's Honors Program you will:

Develop, engage in, and communicate scholarship in a chosen field to examine and critically analyze selected topics, issues, or problems in an interdisciplinary way
Demonstrate effective critical and creative thinking skills developed through engagement in academic and social learning experiences
Evaluate the self through application of attentive listening, effective written and verbal communication, and reflection of the application of academic skills
Actively participate and collaborate as informed members of local and global communities. Demonstrate leadership within a learning community of honors students and faculty
Develop skills to help you succeed in a variety of work environments
Learn to appropriately communicate in a variety of ways and understand how to engage in a diverse and global world

Students who complete the Honors Program will receive:

Honors regalia with a 3.5 GPA (cumulative) or higher in AA, AS, or AAS degree programs
Honors completion notation on transcript and diploma

Admissions Requirements

Steps to apply for CWI's Honors Program:

Apply for admission to CWI.
Complete the Honors Program application
- Must be an incoming, full-time, first-time, degree-seeking student with one of the following:
  - 3.5 unweighted GPA (submit transcript), or
  - GED score between 600-650, or
  - or a strong letter of recommendation from a teacher or employer
- Provide a list of activities you are involved in.
  - Activities may include academic background, extra-curricular activities, community service experiences, work history, etc.
- Submit a short writing sample or recorded sample
  - 750 -1000 words or 5-7 minutes
  - Introduce yourself and comment on one of the following topics:
    - What class/topic should have been offered in your high school curriculum but wasn’t? Why should it have been offered?
    - What are the purposes of critical and creative thinking in both higher education and in the real world?
    - What is an area that you are passionately curious about? What actions have you taken to become more knowledgeable in this area and how might this benefit you in an academic and real-world setting?

Please Note:

The Honors Program is designed to be completed as a part of your chosen degree program.
Work closely with your advisor to determine your plan of study.
The one-credit HON 198 Intro to Honors Course (required for spring starts) may not be covered by federal financial aid depending on your chosen degree pathway. Contact the Honors Program Coordinator or your advisor with additional questions.

Upon Acceptance into the Honors Program:

Commit to the Honors Program by the deadline indicated in the email.
Connect with the Honors Program Coordinator either via email or in-person.
Coordinate with your advisor to begin registering for classes.

Expectations

As an Honors Program student, you will be expected to:

Be a full-time student (12 credits)
Complete 13 credits of honors-designated courses.
- COMM 101, PHIL 103, SOC 101, SCIE 101
- Honors courses are taught in the hybrid modality.
- If a required course does not fit into your course schedule, meet with your advisor and the Honors Program Coordinator to discuss your options.
Complete the CWI 101 honors course and HON 290 capstone course.
Maintain a 3.25 GPA (term)
Complete honors courses with a C or higher.
Work with Honors Program Coordinator to create a probation plan if above requirements are not met.
Attend a CWI-sponsored event each semester.
Complete an end-of-semester check-in to report GPA and changes to financial aid or degree program.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an approved CWI Event?

Students accepted into the Honors Program will need to participate in at least one CWI sponsored event. This can be a club meeting, events hosted by CWI (Visiting Artist, Latinx Student Services, Counseling Services, Tutoring, etc.) Contact the Honors Program Coordinator with questions about qualifying events.

View the CWI Event Calendar.

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Is the Honors Program the same as Phi Theta Kappa?

The Honors Program is separate from Beta Sigma Pi, CWI's chapter of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society. Students are not required to be in one to be in the other.

A separate application process is required for PTK membership. Beta Sigma Pi officers may qualify for PTK scholarhips.

Phi Theta Kappa

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What support is available if I am struggling?

A variety of resources are available to help you during your journey at CWI including tutoring, financial aid, academic advising, counseling, disability services, etc.

Connect with the Honors Program Coordinator for help locating resources and to create a plan for success.

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