Personalized Plan of Study

• You must be logged into your @oakland.edu email. 
• Find and select the time slot of your choice
• Verify both your first and last name, then save your entry.
• You will automatically receive a confirmation email with the option to meet in person and/or a Zoom (a link will be provided should you prefer a virtual meeting).

Honors College students are required to meet with our counselors at least once per year to maintain good standing in the HC.f you have any questions or need assistance, please email [email protected] or call our front desk at 248-370-4450 

Google Appointment Calendar

Career Counseling Specialist

Christina Byrd is the Career Counseling Specialist for The Honors College.  Christina assists with resume writing, interview preparation, decision making, and career exploration.  Additionally, Christina can assist students with various Pre-Professional and Pre-Health questions.

For more information or to schedule an appointment with Christina please contact her at [email protected]

Involvement Requirements

Young Honors College students must complete an average of ten hours of involvement per year (forty hours prior to graduation).  Hours may be accumulated during the fall, winter and/or summer semesters. Freshmen may start documenting their hours during their first semester.   

Students are required to keep a spreadsheet of their "involvement" during their college experience.  When applying to graduate, students will submit their spreadsheet to the Assistant Dean of The Honors College.

Involvement Categories

• Young Honors College
  • Attending Young Honors College events.
  • Volunteering to help Young Honors College in any capacity.
• Oakland University
  • Attending Oakland University events
  • Participation in a student organization
  • Volunteering for any OU activity.
• Humanitarian
  • Any act of humanitarianism (service hours) may be counted toward involvement.
• Professional
  • Internships may be counted. See a YHC counselor for details.
    
    

Awards

Graduating seniors who have considerable amount of "involvement" hours (unpaid) assisting Young Honors College during their undergraduate experience will be considered for an exclusive "Contribution Award" at time of graduation.

Humanitarian service qualifies students to apply for and be recognized for one of our yearly Humanitarian Awards.  Graduating Seniors, with significant Humanitarian service over their time in The Honors College, will be considered for our exclusive "Cumulative Humanitarian Award" presented at graduation.

Involvement Spreadsheet

Thesis vs Capstone Requirements

All Oakland University Students are required to complete a "capstone" in their major prior to graduation (regardless if you are in Young Honors College).  

Young Honors College students must produce an Honors Thesis prior to graduation.  Most often, this activity is carried out in the student's major area of study (e.g. biology, business, communications, economics, engineering, English, music/theatre/dance).  However, HC students are given freedoms to create their own thesis projects as long as Faculty Mentor approval is obtained. 

Students have the ability to utilize their "capstone" toward their Honors College Thesis therefore, time and effort are not duplicated. 

Most HC students will be required to take HC3900 in their junior year.  This course can double as an OU elective credit.  It's designed to help students develop a proposal for their thesis.  A Competitive Thesis Grant may be applied for at this stage to help fund your research/project.  Please schedule an appointment with a HC Counselor to map this elective credit into your graduation plan of study. 

Current HC3900 students who have questions regarding the thesis or Faculty Mentor process, please contact Dr. Susan Lynne Beckwith, [email protected]

• Engineering and Computer Science students may take their HC3900 course the same semester as their Senior Project/Design (the semester before graduation is suggested).
• Nursing students are advised to meet with an HC Counselor for the timing of taking HC3900.  There are several factors to consider and we will determine the best plan for you. 
• Students whose major is housed within the College of Arts and Sciences are exempt from their "Exploratory" requirements once they have completed HC3900 (junior year).  Please inform your CAS Advisor when mapping out your graduation plan.

Students who make a significant contribution to a field of study, will have a chance to earn a Thesis with Distinction Award (certificate) or Thesis with Distinction in a Field of Study Award (certificate + HC Thesis Sash worn at graduation).  Please note that thesis must be submitted prior to the deadline in order to be considered for any award.

Sample Thesis Timeline

First Year:  Begin thinking about areas of interest you may want to consider for your thesis.  Talk to HC Counselors and Faculty in your major to get ideas.

Second Year & Transfer Students:  During your yearly meeting with a YHC counselor, you will have the opportunity to discuss the thesis process in greater detail.

Third Year:  Most HC students will be required to take HC3900 which can double as an OU elective credit.  This course is designed to help you develop your proposal for your project.  Thesis grants may be applied for at this stage to help fund your project.  

• Engineering and Computer Science students may take their HC3900 course the same semester as their Senior Project/Design (the semester before graduation is suggested).
• Nursing students are advised to meet with an HC Counselor for the timing of taking HC3900 since several factors must be considered to best benefit the student. 

Graduation Year:  Thesis turn in, thesis presentation and senior audit.