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Policy 1.7: Honors & Awards  

Applies to: A/BSN, CIPCT, DNP, Certs, PhD

I. Policy Statement

The School of Nursing recognizes outstanding academic achievement, professional contributions, leadership, service, and teaching excellence through honors and awards presented at the School’s Convocation ceremony each June. Awards are intended to celebrate excellence and uphold the values of the nursing profession.

II. All Students

DAISY Foundation Student Award

The DAISY Foundation Student Award honors exceptional compassion and commitment to patient care. It may be awarded to a graduating undergraduate or graduate student.

  • A call for nominations is sent to students, faculty, and staff early in Spring quarter.
  • Nominations may be submitted by fellow students, faculty, or staff.
  • Self-nominations are not accepted.
  • Recipients are recognized during the School of Nursing Convocation Ceremony.

III. Undergraduate Honors & Awards

A. University-Level Academic Honors

  • Quarterly Dean’s List – Undergraduate students pursuing their first bachelor’s degree who earn a quarterly GPA of 3.50 or higher in at least 12 graded credits are placed on the Dean’s List in accordance with UW policy.
  • Annual Dean’s List – Students who earn a GPA of 3.50 or higher in at least 12 graded credits each quarter for three quarters (summer through spring), or four quarters with ≥10 graded credits in the fourth, receive Annual Dean’s List recognition.
  • Baccalaureate Honors at Graduation – Students with at least 90 residence credits at UW (including 60 numerically graded credits) and a graduating GPA in the top 10% of their campus/college are eligible for cum laude, magna cum laude, or summa cum laude. GPA thresholds for the School of Nursing are published annually by the University Registrar. These honors are determined by the UW Office of the University Registrar and are noted on the diploma and transcript.
  • Undergraduate Medals – The University awards Freshman, Sophomore, and Junior Medals to students with the highest academic performance at each class level, based on cumulative GPA and UW residence credit requirements.

B. Departmental Honors – BSN Honors Program

The UW School of Nursing BSN Honors Program offers Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) students the opportunity to earn Departmental Honors and graduate With Honors in Nursing. This nationally recognized achievement signifies additional scholarly effort and accomplishment.

  • Eligibility: Available to BSN students only; Accelerated BSN (ABSN) students are not eligible.
  • Program Features:
    • Membership in a small scholarly learning community with peers
    • Mentored research in nursing science with School of Nursing faculty
    • Presentation of the research project at a symposium
  • Application Process:
    • Students apply during Spring quarter of their first year in the BSN program.
    • Accepted students are notified before the end of Spring quarter and matched with a faculty mentor in Fall quarter.
    • All requirements are completed during the second year of the BSN program.

C. School of Nursing Undergraduate Awards

Undergraduate awards are determined annually and may include recognition for academic excellence, leadership, community engagement, and professional contributions.

  • A call for nominations is sent to students, faculty, and staff early in Spring quarter.
  • Self-nominations are not accepted.
  • Final recipients are selected by the BSN Coordinating Committee in consultation with the Office of Student and Academic Affairs (OSAA).

IV. Graduate Awards

A. Graduate Student Awards

  • Master’s Student Award
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Student Award
  • PhD Dissertation Award
  • Teaching Assistant Award (recognizing excellence in teaching performance)

B. Nomination Process

  • A call for nominations is sent to students, faculty, and staff early in Spring quarter.
  • Self-nominations are not accepted.
  • Final recipients are selected by the program Coordinating Committees in consultation with the Office of Student and Academic Affairs (OSAA).

C. Departmental Honors

The Graduate School does not confer departmental honors based on GPA; graduate recognition is based on awards noted above.

V. Awards Presentation

All awards are presented during the School of Nursing Convocation Ceremony in June. Award recipients are also recognized in the event program and may be highlighted in School communications.

VI. Roles and Responsibilities (RACI)

Task / Responsibility Student OSAA Admin Coordinating Committee Associate Dean for Student & Academic Affairs
Issue call for nominations I R/A I C
Submit nominations R I
Review nominations C R/A I
Confirm award recipients I C R/A I
Present awards at Convocation R C A

RACI Legend:

  • R = Responsible: Performs the task
  • A = Accountable: Ultimately answerable
  • C = Consulted: Provides input
  • I = Informed: Kept up to date

Related Policies & References

Last updated: September 2025