The Honors College

210 Oak View Hall
(248) 370-4450

Dean: Graeme Harper, DCA Ph.D. FRGS FRSA FRAI

Council: Eddie Cheng, Math; Virgil Zeigler-Hill, Psychology; Matthew Fails, Political Science; Brad Roth, Physics; Susan Wood, Art History; Darrin Hanna, Engineering; Kathleen Spencer, Nursing; Christopher Wilson, Health Sciences; Fritz McDonald, Philosophy; Karen Conn, Administrative Assistant; Sheri Rourke

The Honors College was established to provide highly motivated students an intellectually stimulating community. The curriculum offers a distinctive undergraduate experience that integrates the sciences the professional fields and the arts through research, colloquia, creative activities, scholarly and extra-curricular activities, as well as leadership and service opportunities within the university and larger community. It offers specially designed general education requirements, and in major Honors choices, in conjunction with a departmental major. Students applying to The Honors College must first be admitted to or enrolled at Oakland University. Courses with the HC prefix are open only to students who have been accepted into The Honors College. Please visit our website at oakland.edu for additional information on the Honors College, its programs and requirements.

Requirements and Procedures

Departmental majors

Each student must complete a departmental major in the College of Arts and Sciences or a prescribed course of study in the School of Business Administration, the School of Education and Human Services, the School of Engineering and Computer Science, the School of Health Sciences, or the School of Nursing.

The Honors College also offers the option of utilizing approved in-major courses that can take the place of an Honors College requirement. This must be discussed with an Honors College adviser for approval prior to completion of the course.

General education requirements of The Honors College

The Honors College offers selected core general education courses, from this catalog, as designed for student needs or determined by proposals submitted by faculty and accepted by an Honors College committee. Specific offerings for each semester may be found on SAIL and on The Honors College website.

The Honors College Council may allow HC courses to satisfy general education requirements by section when the content is appropriate. Course sections must be designated prior to the start of the semester.

1. The student must successfully complete HC 1000 and at least two Honors College core courses (12 credits).

2. The student must complete eight semesters (once a semester) of Honors College Aspire or Presidential Aspire. Aspire is a zero credit course that tracks HC involvement and is reflected on the students’ transcript.

3. The student must successfully complete at least one approved General Education course in each of the 10 knowledge areas that are not covered by the HC core courses taken.

4. The student must complete an approved writing intensive course in General Education Requirements , (which may be satisfied by choosing an HC 2020 ), a writing intensive course in the major, a diversity course and a capstone. These four requirements may be met by courses that double-count in other general education areas or in the major.

5. The student must complete a foreign language requirement (see policy on the Honors College website).

6. The student must successfully complete HC 3900 .

7. The student must complete a senior thesis.

Note: Honors College requirements partially replace university general education requirements and replace Exploratory requirements for students in the College of Arts and Sciences.

The Honors College Involvement

10 hours per year of involvement outside of the classroom
One HC event per year
Meet with an HC advisor yearly

Academic Advisement

The student must maintain yearly requirements in the Honors College. Academic Advisement Guidelines are available in the Honors College office and online.

Honors thesis

Each Honors College student will successfully complete a major scholarly work or creative project under the guidance and supervision of a faculty mentor. The Honors College Thesis can be awarded as Thesis (Pass), Thesis (with Distinction) or Thesis (with Distinction and a Thesis Award in a particular field). The Honors College thesis/project provides a unique opportunity to work at length on a project designed to contribute to the student’s field of expertise and enhance their level of research or creative practice experience. Students complete individual theses, but can choose to work individually or in a team.

A minimum grade-point average of 3.50 is required for graduation with Honors College designation. The diploma indicates that the student is a graduate of The Honors College.