University Scholars Honors Program

Introduction

This program is designed for outstanding, independent, research-oriented undergraduate students. Students participate in a comprehensive program in which they learn the academic research fundamentals and complete their own academic research project in partnership with WSU Vancouver faculty advisors.

Research is defined to encompass all forms of research and creative scholarship as represented and conducted by Vancouver campus research faculty.

Additional University Scholars Honors Benefits

  • Individual mentoring for scholarship and career opportunities is a centerpiece of the program.
  • Like faculty and graduate students, USHP students can check out WSU library materials for an entire semester, without being required to renew them.
  • All USHP students will have the opportunity to apply for funding from Office of Academic Affairs to support the research thesis and/or conference travel to present findings.  

Admissions

This program is designed to be accessible to both native and transfer students. Students are admitted based on their academic performance, the quality of their application materials, and recommendation by faculty in their major program.  

Admission criteria:

GPA: 3.50 or higher based on at least 30 university or community college semester credits.

Curriculum

The program is intended to be a four semester sequence. The complexity of the chosen research topic may require additional time beyond four semesters. The faculty advisor and student should agree to this timetable early in the program.

First Semester – Fall Term

  • Students enroll in UH 301 (1 credit). This course introduces the research conducted at WSU Vancouver by USHP Faculty. Each session a faculty member or panel of faculty members will present their research. The course is organized by the Office of Academic Affairs, with the AVCAA or designee serving as instructor of record.
  • The learning goal is for students to see the broad array of research topics and methods, assist students with the faculty advisor selection, and identify a topic for the research thesis. 
  • Course assessments: Students will prepare short analyses for each session to demonstrate their preparation for the class and motivate their thinking towards possible research projects. Students will choose one USHP faculty member to interview, review his/her research and write a report that describes the faculty member’s research agenda. By the end of the course students are expected to have identified a faculty thesis advisor and obtain agreement to serve as advisor from the chosen faculty member. End of course assessment will be a paper that outlines the research topic chosen for the thesis.

Second Semester – Spring Term

  • Students will enroll in UH 398 (1 credit – S/F grading) and UH 450 (1 credit – S/F grading). The purpose of UH 398 is to move students through the research proposal phase. The course will be taught by a USHP faculty member with individual faculty advisors working with student to assist in the proposal.
  • The learning goals will emphasize the fundamentals of a research project including scope, causality, literature reviews, research ethics, methodology expectations, elements of a creative research project, etc. Students will have selected a faculty advisor by the start of UH 398, and this advisor will be closely involved with the student to insure the proposal is feasible within the chosen research area.
  • Course assessments: Students will need to meet progress marks during the semester.  The final product will be the research proposal. This research proposal must include the progress on the thesis such as a pilot test, preliminary data gathered, synopsis of creative work or other evidence that the research is feasible with progress made on the research itself. 
  • Once completed and acceptable to the faculty advisor, the proposal is submitted to the Office of Academic Affairs. At this time, the AVCAA will assign two additional USHP faculty to serve as readers for the final project.   

Third Semester – Fall Term

  • Students will enroll in UH 399 (1 credit – S/F grading) and UH 450 (1-2 credits – S/F grading). The course is organized by the Office of Academic Affairs, with the AVCAA or designee serving as instructor of record. The course is designed as a venue for students to present their work in progress to the students and USHP faculty. Students should expect to present their progress at least twice during the semester.
  • Learning goals emphasize the ability to manage a complex research project, oral communication skills, ability to incorporate feedback, and written communication skills.
  • Course assessments: Students will be graded based on the quality of their oral presentations, their ability to incorporate feedback, and the progress they make relative to planned progress.

Fourth Semester – Spring Term

  • Students enroll in UH 450 (1-2 credits – S/F grading). Here students work one on one with faculty advisor to complete the research project.
  • Course assessment: Students prepare final paper and present findings to faculty advisor and the two assigned readers.
  • All students are encouraged, but those receiving funding from OAA are required to present their findings at the WSU Vancouver Research Showcase.

Honors Program Faculty

The PDFs below are research bios for each of the listed faculty.

College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences

College of Business  

College of Education  

School of Engineering & Computer Science

College of Liberal Arts  

Nursing  

College of Sciences

Those interested should contact the Office of Academic Affairs at van.academic.affairs@vancouver.wsu.edu