Summary of Changes to Academic Policies
Between 2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalogs
The below provides a summary of changes to academic policy as updated in the Undergraduate
Catalog for the referenced academic year. Items marked “CHANGE” reflect change to
policy and/or procedures.
Departmental/University Honors - [Text Addition]
Some departments at WSU offer students the opportunity to receive departmental honors through their major. Departmental honors tracks are currently offered in the following: aerospace engineering, communication, communication sciences and disorders, exercise science, linguistics, mathematics, mechanical engineering, modern and classical languages and literatures, organizational leadership and learning, political science, psychology and public health service.
Dorothy and Bill Cohen Honors College - [Significantly modified text, format of this entire section is different and more in-depth than 2023-2024 Catalog]
The Cohen Honors College serves as an academic resource center for all students and offers particular benefits for students pursuing an honors curriculum distinction.
Honors Curriculum Distinction
The Cohen Honors College offers students in any major the opportunity to earn an honors curriculum distinction on the transcript or diploma.
Choosing an honors curriculum means choosing courses and experiences that are measurably broader, deeper or more complex than traditional college-level learning. Cohen Honors students enjoy:
- Interactive and student-centered honors courses;
- Faculty-led service-learning and study abroad programs;
- Scholarship funding for applied learning and financial need;
- The distinction of earning University Honors with optional emphases in leadership or law and public policy.
Most students work toward the minor in University Honors distinction, an 18-credit program that includes an honors seminar, a research or design-thinking experience, and 12 elective honors credits. Students may choose an area of emphasis (or track) within the minor including the Emory Lindquist Honors Scholar, Honors Leadership, Honors Law and Public Policy, or Departmental Honors Track.
The multi-disciplinary Honors Baccalaureate major offers students the opportunity to select two or three concentrations from at least two colleges, choose courses with the approval of facults mentors, and complete a thesis or capstone project.
High school, transfer and current Wichita State students may apply to join the Dorothy and Bill Cohen Honors College and work toward a curriculum distinction.
Transfer Students
Students who transfer to WSU having completed all or part of an honors program at another university, college or community college should speak to the Honors College dean or advisor about having those credits counted toward an honors award at WSU.
Academic Resources for All Undergraduate Students
Resources available to all students include the first-year research experience program (http://www.wichita.edu/academics/research/undergradresearch/fyre.php) (FYRE) and advising for competitive postgraduate scholarship and fellowship applications such as the Fulbright, Marshall, Truman, and Rhodes.
In addition, any student can request to take one honors course by submitted the permission form available on our website forms page (https://www.wichita.edu/honorsforms).
Additional information about admission and curriculum is available in the Dorothy and Bill Cohen Honors College section of the Undergraduate Catalog or online (http://wichita.edu/honors/).
Administrative Withdrawal - [Text Addition]
These W grades do not impact grade point average and expungement of W grades is not permitted.
Requirements for Graduation - [The below paragraph has been removed from the 24-25 catalog]
All students, including those transferring from a two-year college, must complete at least 60 credit hours of four-year college work in order to qualify for graduation from Wichita State. Certain programs with articulation agreements have been approved to require at least 45 credit hours of four-year college work in order to qualify for graduation. Students should check with their department to see if their program qualifies for this exception.
Transcripts - [Text Change]
If a person has not returned borrowed university property or has other outstanding obligations, transcript services may be withheld, with exceptions consistent with state and federal laws.