Honors Program
Explore MoreAbout This Program
Program Overview
The College of Western Idaho's Honors Program aims to provide a learning environment that allows a diverse population of community college students to expand the depth and scope of their knowledge through analysis of relevant topics, develop interpersonal and professional skills, and participate as active members of the local and academic community. The Honors Program will support an engaging and supportive learning environment for students who are intellectually curious and academically prepared for challenging coursework. Students in the program will design and engage in community service projects to benefit CWI and the local community.
The Honors Program requires a separate application process and is available to first-time students attending CWI on a full-time basis, as well as Dual Credit students transferring into a degree-seeking program at CWI. Please visit the Honors Program webpage to see additional requirements and complete an application.
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
As a part of their chosen degree or certificate requirements, students in the Honors Program will complete the following courses:
| Course | Course Title | Min Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CWI 101 | Connecting With Ideas (Honors Designated Section) 1 | 1-3 |
| or HON 198 | Introduction to Honors | |
| Three (3) Honors designated sections of General Education courses 2,3 | 9 | |
| Minimum Credit Hours Required | 10-12 | |
- 1
HON 198 Introduction to Honors is intended only for students beginning the Honors Program in the spring semester if they have already taken a non-Honors Designated section of CWI 101.
- 2
Intended general education courses to be offered with honors designated sections include COMM 101 Fundamentals of Oral Communication (GEM 2), PHIL 103 Introduction to Ethics (GEM 5 and Ethical Reasoning), SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology (GEM 6), and SCIE 101 Foundations of Science (non-lab GEM 4).
- 3
If one of the above GE course options does not fit into your course schedule, students should meet with their advisor and the Honors Program Coordinator to discuss their options.
Additional expectations of students in the Honors Program include:
- Maintain a 3.25 GPA (term).
- Complete honors courses with a C or higher.
- 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.
- Complete an Honors Capstone Contract during their major/degree capstone OR complete an independent study course if their degree does not have a capstone.
PROGRAM OUTCOMES
Upon successful completion of the CWI Honors Program, students will be able to:
- Develop, engage in, and communicate scholarship in a chosen field in order 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 self through the application of attentive listening, effective written and verbal communication, and metacognition.
- Actively participate and collaborate as informed members of local and global communities. Demonstrate leadership within a learning community of honors students and faculty.
PLEASE NOTE: The Honors Program is designed to be completed as a part of students' chosen degree program. When students complete all of the courses required within the Honors Program as well as the courses required for their degree, students will receive a notation on their transcript and diploma to show they have completed the Honors Program.
Additionally, students should note that HON 198 may not be covered by federal financial aid, depending on their program of study. Students interested in the Honors Program should work closely with their advisor to determine an individualized plan of study.