For Incoming Students
The Honors Program is a university-wide undergraduate program designed to offer highly motivated and advanced students the opportunity to enhance their intellectual and personal growth within a vibrant community of learners by engaging them in rigorous honors-designated coursework, interdisciplinary seminars, strong internship experiences, extended research and creative projects, and community service. In addition, participation in co-curricular activities strengthens our academic community by promoting ethical behavior and thoughtful citizenship.
The Honors Program seeks a diverse and inclusive community of scholars.
The program will offer courses that are small in size and that develop the intellectual potential of students through activities that:
- develop communication skills
- incorporate interdisciplinary focus
- include innovative pedagogy
- enhance research skills
- apply critical reading, writing, speaking, problem solving, and thinking skills that incorporate information literacy, and an appreciation of audience
- include greater breadth than non-honors course sections
- incorporate enrichment opportunities to students and faculty
- utilize flexible approaches that accommodate different learning styles
- prompt analysis of their own and others’ assumptions
Most students entering the Honors program will do so upon admission to the university. Students are admitted to the Honors Program based on screenings by the Office of Admissions including consideration of high school GPA, rigor of high school curriculum, and application essay. Consideration of standardized test scores is optional.
There is no separate application for the Honors Program for first-year students applying for admission to the University. On your UMW application, indicate your interest in being considered for Honors admission, which will then prompt you to complete another brief essay. Students interested in being considered for Honors are advised to apply using the Early Action or Early Decision deadlines in November.
Information for Transfer Students
The UMW Honors Program will work with students who are transferring to UMW and have been enrolled in the honors curriculum at their prior institution. We have in place the following memoranda of understanding for honors students matriculating from Northern Virginia Community College, Richard Bland Community College, and Piedmont Virginia Community College:
- NOVA CC-UMW Honors Matriculation MOU
- Richard Bland CC-UMW Honors Matriculation MOU
- PVCC-UMW Honors Matriculation MOU
If you have questions or would like information about transferring honors credits, please feel free to contact us.