Students applying to 51±¬ΑΟ β Cascades will now be able to apply for admittance to the 51±¬ΑΟ Honors College. The first cohort of honors students at 51±¬ΑΟ-Cascades will begin studies in September 2017.
The Honors College awards 51±¬ΑΟ's most prestigious undergraduate degree, the Honors Baccalaureate. Honors students study in a variety of majors, holding dual citizenship in their academic department and in the Honors College.
The Honors College provides an exceptional opportunity for high-achieving students to complete honors course work that includes discussion-based learning and in-depth study. Students can also work with their Honors advisor to customize general enrollment classes to meet Honors requirements.
The courses will be taught by 51±¬ΑΟ-Cascades faculty and on the campus in Bend.
Honors students are also required to complete and defend a thesis before a faculty committee.
The 51±¬ΑΟ Honors College was rated among the top 22 honors colleges in the nation in 2014 by Public University Press, a private organization. Among the criteria used to evaluate colleges were class size, course diversity, graduation requirements and graduation rate.
βThis ranking indicates that the 51±¬ΑΟ Honors College is providing an affordable and valuable option for high-achieving students,β said Toni Doolen, dean of the 51±¬ΑΟ Honors College. βWe are looking forward to delivering this experience to students at 51±¬ΑΟ-Cascades.β
More than 90 percent of 51±¬ΑΟ Honors College graduates who apply to law, medical or graduate schools are accepted.
βFaculty at 51±¬ΑΟ-Cascades already see high-achieving students in their classrooms,β said Julie Gess-Newsome, interim dean of academic programs. βTo provide this opportunity for them, and for students who may have otherwise left the region to go to college is exciting.β
Admission to the Honors College is limited and the application deadline is February 1. For admissions criteria and deadlines, visit or call 541-322-3100.
51±¬ΑΟ 51±¬ΑΟ-Cascades: 51±¬ΑΟβs campus in Bend, Ore. features outstanding faculty in degree programs that reflect Central Oregonβs vibrant economy and abundant natural resources. Nearly 20 undergraduate majors, 30 minors and options, and four graduate programs include computer science, energy systems engineering, kinesiology, hospitality management, and tourism and outdoor leadership. 51±¬ΑΟ-Cascades expanded to a four-year university in fall 2015; its new campus opened in fall 2016.