Accolades. Achievements. Standout academic programs.
Top tier research
One of America’s leading research universities
WSU is one of just 131 U.S. colleges and universities—out of 6,500+ public and private institutions—named among doctoral universities with “very high research activity” in the Carnegie Classification (2018). This designation represents the highest level of research activity for doctoral institutions.
Faculty elected to membership in the National Academies
The nation’s highest honor for scientific researchers
Leader in U.S. Department of Agriculture research and development expenditures
USDA is the largest funder of agricultural and natural resource research and development at U.S. academic institutions. Expenditure of USDA funding is the most consistent measure of external research support for a university. WSU spent $38.1 million in USDA funding in the 2018 fiscal year, placing it in the top 2 among 391 universities nationwide.
— National Science Foundation Higher Education Research and Development Survey (2018)
#1 for research in literacy (e.g. media literacy) and substance abuse prevention
conducted by Murrow College of Communication faculty
Programs that foster undergraduate success
Writing Program
Writing skills are essential to success in the professional world. WSU’s nationally acclaimed Writing Program supports, tutors, and assesses writing to help students communicate effectively. Before beginning the junior year, all students must assemble a Writing Portfolio. Required for graduation, the portfolio is used to evaluate students’ readiness to write at the requisite level for upper-division courses in their major.
Common Reading Program
Each year the University chooses a single book to be read by all freshmen. Professors, residence hall staff, librarians, and others explore topics raised in the book. They link topics to course content and special extracurricular programming. Professors also share information from their research that relates to the book’s themes. Students learn the value of research, the power of ideas, and ways in which different disciplines approach similar problems.
Summer research opportunities
Dedicate your summer to conducting research alongside award-winning professors. Investigations span a wide range of fields, among them engineering, plant sciences, health sciences, and environmental sciences. The summer concludes with a symposium showcasing your work. Summer research programs are hosted by WSU faculty and funded by the National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and faculty grants.
Honors College
The Honors College prepares top students in all majors for influential careers. The curriculum lets students choose among dozens of specialized classes in place of required general education courses. Class sizes are typically capped at 25 students. A thesis project allows students to conduct mentored research, exploring an academic question of importance to them. The College attracts top students from across the United States and around the world. Honors alumni have distinguished records of leadership.
Accelerated tracks to advanced degrees
Veterinary medicine
Through the Honors College Vet Med Program, you could earn a DVM degree from the WSU College of Veterinary Medicine in just 7 years—instead of the usual 8.
Biosciences Ph.D.
If you’re a top student in the biosciences, you could earn a doctorate within 7 years after leaving high school through the STARS (Students Targeted toward Advanced Research Studies) program.
Nursing
If you’re an incoming freshman in the Honors College, you could begin nursing courses in your junior year through the Nursing Direct-Admit Program.
Entrepreneurial training
Dream of launching your own enterprise? WSU offers springboards for aspiring entrepreneurs:
Harold Frank Engineering Entrepreneurship program
Join students from a variety of disciplines to develop a business from your technology ideas.
Center for Entrepreneurship
Learn the hands-on skills and teamwork necessary to create a prototype, develop a business plan, and ultimately launch a commercially viable product and business.
WSU Business Plan Competition
This annual event challenges you to launch a new venture. You receive expert advice in navigating the entrepreneurial process as you compete for scholarship money.
More about undergraduate academics
The Division of Academic Engagement and Student Achievement supports academic engagement and achievement.
Unique opportunities for graduate students
Interdisciplinary doctoral degrees
Tailor your doctoral degree to your interests in programs that bridge disciplines:
- Individual interdisciplinary doctoral degree: Custom-designed degree program that spans 3 disciplines
- Molecular plant sciences: Degree program that incorporates plant physiology, biochemistry, and molecular biology
- Materials science and engineering: Program that focuses on the discovery, invention, or engineering of new materials and phenomena
- Engineering science: Degree program that blends engineering with other fields, such as physical or life sciences
- Prevention science: Program in which you design programs, practices, and policies to prevent or reduce the severity of community health issues
Internships at U.S. Department of Energy National Laboratories
Across many fields (radiochemistry, chemical engineering, and more) doctoral students and post docswork alongside preeminent researchers at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) and Idaho National Laboratory.
Examples of topics explored include bio-based products and catalysis.
National Institutes of Health (NIH) training program
The NIH Protein Biotechnology Training Program trains science and engineering graduate students in basic science relevant to biotechnology.
More about graduate programs
The Graduate School oversees the University’s graduate education programs and helps prepare students for post-graduation success.