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Category: Registrar Student Services

Honors

The University of Washington recognizes several honors distinctions that are included on student transcripts.

In addition to the following baccalaureate honors, students may also be eligible for Annual and Quarterly Dean’s Lists.

Baccalaureate Honors

Baccalaureate honors (summa cum laude, magna cum laude, cum laude) are awarded only to recipients of a first baccalaureate degree. These honors are earned by those students who have completed no fewer than 90 residence credits at this institution. At least 60 of the 90 credits must have been acquired on a numerically graded basis.

The University’s Honors Committee determines annually the grade-point requirement for each baccalaureate honor at each campus – Seattle, Bothell, and Tacoma. In recent years, approximately ten percent of the students have been awarded baccalaureate honors. Distance Learning courses (those that include a DL prefix) are included in the UW cumulative GPA and therefore count toward baccalaureate honors.

Baccalaureate Honors by Campus

Baccalaureate Honors by Campus

Autumn 2024 – Summer 2025

A complete list of Baccalaureate Honors for UW Bothell and additional details are provided on the UWB website.

PROGRAM CUM LAUDE MAGNA CUM LAUDE SUMMA CUM LAUDE
BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION 3.80 3.89 3.97
EDUCATIONAL STUDIES 3.97 3.98 4.00
INTERACTIVE MEDIA DESIGN 3.87 3.95 3.99
INTERDISCIPLINARY ARTS AND SCIENCES 3.93 3.98 4.00
NURSING AND HEALTH STUDIES 3.98 3.99 4.00
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, and MATHEMATICS 3.87 3.95 3.99

Additionally:

  • Students must also earn 90 matriculated credits in residence at the UW and at least 60 credits must be numerically graded.
  • Summa Cum Laude is the top 0.5%
  • Magna Cum Laude is the next 3%
  • Cum Laude is the next 6.5%

Autumn 2024 – Summer 2025

COLLEGE OR SCHOOL CUM LAUDE MAGNA CUM LAUDE SUMMA CUM LAUDE
ARTS & SCIENCES 3.90 3.96 4.00
BUILT ENVIRONMENTS 3.83 3.89 3.95
BUSINESS SCHOOL 3.81 3.89 3.95
EDUCATION 3.96 3.99 4.00
ENGINEERING 3.86 3.92 3.98
ENVIRONMENT 3.85 3.93 3.98
INFORMATION SCHOOL 3.88 3.93 3.98
MEDICINE 3.87 3.91 3.96
NURSING 3.98 3.99 4.00
PUBLIC HEALTH 3.85 3.92 3.98
SOCIAL WORK 3.96 3.98 4.00

Additionally:

  • Students must also earn 90 matriculated credits in residence at the UW and at least 60 credits must be numerically graded.
  • Summa Cum Laude is the top 0.5%
  • Magna Cum Laude is the next 3%
  • Cum Laude is the next 6.5%

Autumn 2024 – Summer 2025

A complete list of Baccalaureate Honors for UW Tacoma and additional details are provided on the UWT website.

PROGRAM CUM LAUDE MAGNA CUM LAUDE SUMMA CUM LAUDE
BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION 3.83 3.91 3.96
ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY 3.91 3.97 4.00
HEALTHCARE LEADERSHIP (Same as IAS) 3.91 3.97 4.00
INTERDISC. ARTS & SCIENCES / ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE 3.91 3.97 4.00
NURSING 3.98 3.99 4.00
SOCIAL WELFARE / CRIMINAL JUSTICE 3.90 3.94 3.98
URBAN STUDIES / SUSTAINABLE URBAN DEVELOPMENT (Same as IAS) 3.91 3.97 4.00

Additionally:

  • Students must also earn 90 matriculated credits in residence at the UW and at least 60 credits must be numerically graded.
  • Summa Cum Laude is the top 0.5%
  • Magna Cum Laude is the next 3%
  • Cum Laude is the next 6.5%


Honors Programs

Honors Programs

University Honors Program
Eligible students who complete one of the following University Honors Program pathways will have the distinction included on the University of Washington diploma and transcript

  • Interdisciplinary Honors
  • Departmental Honors
  • College Honors


Global Honors Program

  • Eligible students must complete the Global Honors Program to earn the Global Honors Distinction.
  • The Global Honors Distinction is included on the University of Washington diploma and transcript.


Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, and President’s Medals

  • The Freshman Medal is awarded to a sophomore having the highest scholastic standing for the first year of his or her course. To be eligible, students must have completed at least 36 credits in residence at the University of Washington.
  • The Sophomore Medal is awarded to a junior having the highest scholastic standing for the first two years of his or her course. To be eligible, students must have completed at least 40 credits in residence at the University of Washington.
  • The Junior Medal is awarded to a senior having the highest scholastic standing for their first three years of his or her course. To be eligible, students must have completed at least 40 credits in residence at the University of Washington.
  • The President’s Medal, which is conferred at commencement, recognizes two graduating seniors who have the most distinguished academic records in their class. One medal is awarded to a student who has completed at least three-fourths of their degree requirements at the University, and one medal is awarded to a student who entered the University with at least 60 transfer credits from a Washington community college.

Honorary Societies

In addition to the honors previously listed, students with distinguished academic records may participate in several of the following University-wide honorary societies, and specific college or school honorary societies. Information concerning specific college or school honorary societies appears in the respective sections of this catalog.

  • Golden Key National Honor Society. A national, nonprofit academic honors organization founded in 1977 for the purpose of recognizing and encouraging scholastic achievement among students from all academic fields. Membership is by invitation only.
  • Mortarboard. A national college senior honor society whose membership is based on scholarship, leadership, and service. The local Tolo chapter was founded in 1909 and became part of the national organization in 1925. Students of junior standing apply winter quarter for selection in spring quarter.
  • Phi Beta Kappa. A national collegiate honorary society, founded in 1776, with the Washington Alpha Chapter established in 1914. Phi Beta Kappa recognizes distinguished scholarship, especially in the acquisition of an education in the liberal arts and sciences. Students are elected to membership on the basis of GPA and breadth of education.

Additional information on honorary societies may be obtained from academic advisers and the respective campus representatives.

Honors Policies

Policy reference for information on this page may be found in the University Policies and Rules in the following sections: Student Governance and Policies, Scholastic Regulations, Chapter 110, Section 3.

Diplomas

General Diploma Information

  • Diplomas are shipped out approximately two months after the student’s graduation date.
  • UW diplomas list the graduate’s name, the degree earned, and any applicable honors.
  • Majors, minors, and options are NOT PRINTED on UW diplomas unless they are part of the honors designation.
  • All UW diplomas are 8.5 by 11 inches, with two exceptions;
    • The Juris Doctor and the Master of Laws in Taxation diplomas are 11 by 14 inches.

Electronic Diplomas

Beginning with the Spring 2016 class, the UW offers graduates a Certified Electronic Diploma (CeDiploma). This is a true replication of the paper diploma that can be authenticated by the recipient. CeDiplomas are available once the initial paper diploma has been issued and are no cost to the graduate. Review the UW CeDiploma webpage for more information.

Diploma Name and Mailing Address

A student’s Diploma Name does not have to match their Student Record Name. Students can have their diploma issued in the name of their choice by providing that name information into the Diploma Name and Address form prior to graduation. This is also where students provide the mailing address for their diploma delivery. Students who do not provide their Diploma Name or mailing address via the form in time for their graduation date and/or diploma order will have their diplomas issued using their Student Record Name and delivered to their current mailing address.

Undeliverable Mail

Graduates may request and purchase a replacement diploma in the event their diploma does not arrive to the provided diploma mailing address or is not returned to the Registrar’s office by the postal service.

Replacement Diplomas

Replacement diplomas are available for purchase and delivery for graduates of all three UW campuses by using the online Replacement Diploma Request Portal. Replacement diplomas can be issued in the name of choice by providing the requested diploma name as part of the order form.

Replacement Diploma Fees and Shipping Options

  • Replacement diplomas cost $20.
  • Payment can be made via PayPal or credit card and is due upon order.
Shipping Option Order Charge Shipping Charge Approximate Delivery
Domestic: Non-Expedited $20 — 4-6 weeks
Domestic: Expedited $20 $30 2-3 weeks
International: Non-Expedited $20 $20 4-6 weeks
International: Expedited $20 $200 2-3 weeks

Contact

Inquiries concerning diplomas or replacement diploma orders for all three UW campuses can be sent to diploma@uw.edu.

Period I Registration Dates Summer 2025

  • Period 1 Registration dates run April 14 – May 22.
  • Period 1 is for Continuing Students. Registration Period Definitions.
  • Registration opens up for each group at 6 a.m. (PST) of the designated start date.
Who Can Register Period 1 Registration Start Date
Eligible Disability Resources for Students (DRS) students 1
Eligible Veterans and National Guard Members and their spouses, domestic partners, and dependents 2		 April 14
Contracted ROTC students
Students with Graduating Senior Priority (GSP) 3
NCAA athletes		 April 14
Graduate students
Professional students		 April 14
Seniors [135+ credits earned/in progress] 4
Postbaccalaureates		 April 16
Juniors [90-134 credits earned/in progress] 4 April 16
Sophomores [45-89 credits earned/in progress] 4 April 16
First Year Undergraduates/Freshmen [0-44 credits earned/in progress] 4 April 16
  • 1 Eligibility is based on your disability accommodation for Priority Registration. Having a DRS accommodation does not mean you have been set up to register early.
  • 2 Eligibility is determined by information provided in the admissions application process. This cannot be updated.
  • 3 The Graduating Senior Priority application deadline is the Thursday before registration opens.
  • 4 Eligibility to register is based on earned credits (including transfer and AP/IB credits on your UW transcript), and current quarter credits in progress as of the day your registration time opens.

Period I Registration Dates Spring 2025

  • Period 1 Registration dates run February 13 – March 2.
  • Period 1 is for Continuing Students. Registration Period Definitions.
  • Registration opens up for each group at 6 a.m. (PST) of the designated start date.
Who Can Register Period 1 Registration Start Date
Eligible Disability Resources for Students (DRS) students 1
Eligible Veterans and National Guard Members and their spouses, domestic partners, and dependents 2		 February 13
Contracted ROTC students
Students with Graduating Senior Priority (GSP) 3
NCAA athletes		 February 14
Graduate students
Professional students		 February 18
Seniors [135+ credits earned/in progress] 4
Postbaccalaureates		 February 19
Juniors [90-134 credits earned/in progress] 4 February 21
Sophomores [45-89 credits earned/in progress] 4 February 25
First Year Undergraduates/Freshmen [0-44 credits earned/in progress] 4 February 27
  • 1 Eligibility is based on your disability accommodation for Priority Registration. Having a DRS accommodation does not mean you have been set up to register early.
  • 2 Eligibility is determined by information provided in the admissions application process. This cannot be updated.
  • 3 The Graduating Senior Priority application deadline is the Thursday before registration opens.
  • 4 Eligibility to register is based on earned credits (including transfer and AP/IB credits on your UW transcript), and current quarter credits in progress as of the day your registration time opens.

Period I Registration Dates Autumn 2025

  • Period 1 Registration dates run May 8 – 21.
  • Period 1 is for Continuing Students. Registration Period Definitions.
  • Registration opens up for each group at 6 a.m. (PST) of the designated start date.
Who Can Register Period 1 Registration Start Date
Eligible Disability Resources for Students (DRS) students 1
Eligible Veterans and National Guard Members and their spouses, domestic partners, and dependents 2		 May 8
Contracted ROTC students
Students with Graduating Senior Priority (GSP) 3
NCAA athletes		 May 9
Graduate students
Professional students		 May 12
Seniors [135+ credits earned/in progress] 4
Postbaccalaureates		 May 13
Juniors [90-134 credits earned/in progress] 4 May 15
Sophomores [45-89 credits earned/in progress] 4 May 19
First Year Undergraduates/Freshmen [0-44 credits earned/in progress] 4 May 21
  • 1 Eligibility is based on your disability accommodation for Priority Registration. Having a DRS accommodation does not mean you have been set up to register early.
  • 2 Eligibility is determined by information provided in the admissions application process. This cannot be updated.
  • 3 The Graduating Senior Priority application deadline is the Thursday before registration opens.
  • 4 Eligibility to register is based on earned credits (including transfer and AP/IB credits on your UW transcript), and current quarter credits in progress as of the day your registration time opens.

UW Annual FERPA Notice

Pre-Registration Required Review and Submission

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974, which is administered by the United States Department of Education, is a federal privacy law. In addition to identifying a significant set of guidelines for the custodianship of education records, the law requires institutions to provide students with an annual explanation of the law and their rights under FERPA.

At the University of Washington, we require students to read and confirm that they have read the UW Annual FERPA Notice each quarter when they initially register as part of pre-registration. A copy of that notice is follows.

UW Notification of Rights under FERPA for Postsecondary Institutions

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords eligible students certain rights with respect to their education records. (An “eligible student” under FERPA is a student who is 18 years of age or older or who attends a postsecondary institution at any age.)

Additional information about FERPA for students can be found on the Office of the University Registrar website. That page includes information about how to restrict the release of directory information, and other FERPA resources. Directory information at the University of Washington is defined as a student’s name, address, email address, telephone numbers, major, and minor field(s) of study (including pre-major or undeclared), class, date of birth, enrollment status (e.g. graduate, undergraduate, professional, post-baccalaureate, or non-matriculated student, full- or part-time), participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height if the student is a member of an intercollegiate athletic team, dates of attendance, degrees, honors, and awards received, and the most recent previous educational agency or institution attended by the student. You may opt out of directory information about you being released using the tools available in MyUW. Opting out will not prevent information about you that falls within directory information from being released as otherwise allowed or required by law.

The rights provided by FERPA include:

  1. The right to inspect and review your education records within 45 days after the day the University of Washington receives a request for access. You should submit to the registrar, dean, head of the academic department a written request that identifies the record(s) you wish to inspect. The school official will make arrangements for access and notify you of the time and place where the records may be inspected. If the records are not maintained by the school official to whom the request was submitted, that official should advise you of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed.
  2. The right to request the amendment of your education records that you believe are inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of your privacy rights under FERPA. This process cannot be used to challenge grades.

    A student who wishes to ask the University to amend a record should write the school official responsible for the record, clearly identify the part of the record the student wants changed, and specify why it should be changed.

    If the University decides not to amend the record as requested, you will be notified in writing of the decision and your right to request a hearing regarding the request for amendment.

  3. The right to provide written consent before the University discloses personally identifiable information (PII) from your education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.

    The University discloses education records without a student’s prior written consent under the FERPA exception for disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. School officials include faculty, instructors, staff, student employees, volunteers, third party contractors, and any individual UW has determined to have legitimate educational interests in accessing education records. An individual has a legitimate educational interest when they need access to the education record to perform their official duties; not to satisfy curiosity or other non-job related interests.

    Upon request, the school also discloses education records without consent to officials of another school in which a student seeks or intends to enroll.

  4. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the University to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the office that administers FERPA is:

Student Privacy Policy Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202

[ ] I have read the above FERPA Annual Notification.

Returning Student Process

Welcome Back to the University of Washington!

The Returning Student Process is designed for undergraduate or professional-level students wishing to return to the University of Washington after an absence of one quarter or more (excluding summer quarter).

The following steps will guide you through the process to reactivate your student account and prepare you to register for a future quarter. Once you have submitted your Returning Student Request Form, you’ll be able to clear any holds you may have on your registration, and then confirm your intention to enroll through the Enrollment Confirmation System.

You may request to return to the University of Washington if you:

  • Have been away for more than one quarter (excluding summer quarter). Withdrawing from one quarter and not attending the subsequent quarter constitutes an absence of two consecutive quarters, which triggers the need to submit the Returning Student Request Form, AND
  • Have not obtained a degree in their last enrolled student category, either from the University of Washington or from another institution.

The ability to return as a student to the University of Washington is granted at the discretion of the University.

Eligibility factors which may be considered include, but are not limited to:

  • space availability in the major in which you were previously enrolled
  • activities during the period in which you were not enrolled
  • prior disciplinary action

Complete 5 Steps to Return to UW

5 Steps for Returning Students

Complete and submit the Returning Student Request Form. We’ll collect your current contact information and additional data that we need to reactivate your student account.

This form is only for undergraduate and professional students who have not completed their UW degree.

Returning Student Request Form

Watch for an email from your campus registration team confirming that your Returning Student Request Form has been processed.

Once you have been notified that your Returning Student Request Form has been processed you will receive an email prompting you to confirm your enrollment for the returning quarter you indicated.

After you receive an offer to return, log in to Log into MyUW and check on any holds that may prevent you from registering. These could be placed on your account for tuition and fees still owed from a prior quarter, behavioral holds, departmental holds related to satisfactory academic progress, or any other holds associated with blocking registration until you take the required action.

We encourage you to resolve whatever registration holds might be on your account first before proceeding to Step Five.

To prepare for your transition to campus, meet with your academic adviser to plan your class schedule for your return quarter. Remember to check Log into MyUW for information about registering for classes.

When you are ready, confirm your enrollment for the quarter you wish to return to UW.

You will be required to pay a non-refundable Enrollment Confirmation Fee:

UW Bothell UW Seattle UW Tacoma
$60 $80 $60

Completing the Enrollment Confirmation step is required before you will be allowed to register and to continue your studies.

Returning Student Deadlines

You must complete all steps of the Returning Student process, including registering for classes for your return quarter by the end of the Returning Student Process Deadline day of the quarter you wish to return.

Quarter Step One: Request Form Submission Deadline Steps Two-Five: Completion Deadline*
Autumn 2024 September 24, 2024 October 4, 2024
Winter 2025 January 3, 2025 January 17, 2025
Spring 2025 March 28, 2025 April 4, 2025
Summer 2025 June 20, 2025 July 3, 2025
Autumn 2025 September 22, 2025 October 3, 2025
Winter 2026 January 2, 2026 January 16, 2026

UW Bothell and UW Tacoma

Returning Students to UW Bothell and UW Tacoma may have other requirements for resuming your studies. Check with your respective campus registration team for more information. If you have any questions on the Returning Student Process, email your campus registration team.

Campus Registration Team Resource EC Fee
UW Bothell uwbreg@uw.edu Returning Student Process $60
UW Tacoma reguwt@uw.edu Returning Student Re-enrollment $60

Graduate Students

Students previously registered in the Graduate School who have failed to maintain graduate student status (on-leave status was not secured or registration was not maintained) but wish to resume studies within the same degree program must file a request for reinstatement to the Graduate School.

Graduate students who are returning from official on-leave status do not complete the Returning Student Request Form. Review the Graduate On-Leave Status for on-leave eligibility, the procedure for requesting leave, and information about reinstatement.

For questions regarding on-leave status or the graduate reinstatement process, please contact the Graduate Program Advisor within your graduate program and/or Graduate Enrollment Management Services at uwgrad@uw.edu or 206-685-2630.

Productivity Platforms & Email

Please be aware that the UW G Suite and/or UW Office 365 email & productivity platform account(s) and data that you create with your UW email address are temporary and will expire when you graduate and/or separate from the UW.

It is strongly recommended to forward your UW email address to a personal, non-UW email address upon separation from the UW.

Grading Option Changes

Students may choose to have a numerically graded course graded as Satisfactory/Non-Satisfactory (S/NS). There are three different methods to change your grading option, and the one you will use depends on when you are wanting to make the change. Professional school students should check with their respective school registrar or adviser for details on S/NS grading options and verify if their program is participating in this process.

For more information on the S/NS grading option refer to Scholastic Regulations Chapter 110 Grades, Honors, and Scholarship.

Change Grade Options by Quarter

I want to change my grading option between S/NS and numeric for a…

I Want to Change Grading Option for

You can change your courses to and from the Satisfactory/Not Satisfactory (S/NS) grading option up through the end of finals week/last week of the quarter.

S/NS graded courses do not count for degree or graduation requirements for undergraduate students unless the current quarter is an Extraordinary Circumstances Quarter. Graduate and professional students should consult with their advisers.

Change my grading option for current quarter


Registration Contacts

For additional questions, please contact your campus registration team at:

UW Seattle – regoff@uw.edu
UW Tacoma – reguwt@uw.edu
UW Bothell – uwbreg@uw.edu

Diploma Name

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Late Grading Option Change Petition

Late changes from S/NS grading option to numeric are allowed only in situations where a course must have a numeric grade to fulfill degree, prerequisite, or similar requirements. This option applies only to Non-Extraordinary Circumstances Quarters.

Request Requirements

  • Documentation of the numeric grade requirement. (Examples: DARS report, program adviser statement, or a copy of the requirement.)
  • $20 late-registration-change fee will be assessed, per daily transaction, if the grading option change is approved.