Taxonomy is often taught as a side note in general biology classes with students having limited taxonomic exposure in upper division courses such as entomology, mammalogy, ornithology, herpetology, and invertebrate zoology. Many biology students often do not understand the opportunities related to taxonomy and conservation biology and may only be focused on the fields of healthcare or biotechnology. Students who are given opportunities to explore the taxonomy of groups which they are interested in gain a stronger understanding of the importance of evolutionary biology, conservation, and ecology. We have developed an upper division taxonomic workshop for undergraduates to learn the history and application of taxonomy to all living organisms. Skills and taxonomic concepts include: differences in species definitions, descriptions and diagnoses of species, type specimens, taxonomic keys, biogeography, taxonomic literature, naming (etymology) and synonymizing species, taxonomic revisions, familiarization with international Codes of taxonomic nomenclature, and basic cladistic methodology. Students are encouraged to present their findings at university, regional, national, and international venues and are also given an opportunity to engage with and visit regional museums and collections as well as visit with professional taxonomists.