Policy 1.7: Honors & Awards  

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

University-level academic honors are determined by the UW Office of the University Registrar under UW Student Governance and Policies, Chapter 110: Grades, Honors, and Scholarship. Eligibility for the Dean’s Lists and for baccalaureate honors is limited to students pursuing their first bachelor’s degree. Students in the Accelerated BSN program, who hold a prior bachelor’s degree, are therefore not eligible for these University honors; ABSN students remain eligible for the School of Nursing awards described in Sections II and III.C.

• 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 — Matriculated undergraduate students pursuing their first bachelor’s degree who earn a quarterly GPA of 3.50 or higher in at least 12 numerically graded credits each quarter for three quarters (summer through spring), or four quarters with a quarterly GPA of 3.50 or better in a fourth quarter of 10 or more credits, receive Annual Dean’s List recognition.
• Baccalaureate Honors at Graduation — Students with at least 90 approved 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 three medals annually for high scholastic standing, each conferred in the year following the period assessed: the Junior Medal to a senior for the first three years of study, the Sophomore Medal to a junior for the first two years, and the First Year Undergraduate Medal to a sophomore for the first year. The Junior and Sophomore Medals require at least 40 credits in residence at the University; the First Year Undergraduate Medal requires at least 36. See UW Student Governance and Policies, Chapter 110.
• President’s Medal — Conferred at commencement on two graduating seniors with the most distinguished academic records, selected from among graduating seniors eligible for University Honors. One is awarded to a student who has completed at least three-fourths of their degree requirements at the UW Seattle campus; one is awarded to a student who entered with at least 60 transfer credits from a Washington community college.

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 autumn 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).
• School of Nursing undergraduate awards are open to BSN and ABSN students.

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). The School of Nursing confers one Teaching Assistant Award annually. Eligibility is limited to graduate students who held a teaching assistant appointment in the School of Nursing during the academic year in which the award is made.

B. Nomination Process

• A call for nominations is sent to students, faculty, and staff early in spring quarter.
• Nominations for the Teaching Assistant Award are welcomed from students.
• 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.

Eligibility to participate in Convocation is governed by UW School of Nursing Policy 1.5: Program Duration & Graduation Eligibility. Receiving an award does not itself confer eligibility to participate in the ceremony.

VI. Roles and Responsibilities Summary

Last updated: September 2026