You can begin Stage 3 when you have found an Oregon State faculty member who has agreed to be your mentor.

If you haven’t yet found a mentor and you need support, schedule an appointment with your HC academic advisor. If your timeline has changed and you need to update your Thesis Plan, see the Thesis Plan update.

Complete Stage 3 Commit by:

Step 1:  Inform the HC of Thesis Mentor

Let the HC know that you and an Oregon State faculty member have agreed to work together on a thesis by completing this survey. Upon completion of the survey an email will be sent to your mentor asking for them confirm they will be working with you. If you haven’t verbally agreed to work together, please do so before submitting this form.

This is a vital step in the thesis process and assists the HC in providing appropriate support for your thesis. 

Step 2: Mentor Confirmation

Upon completion of the Inform the HC of Thesis Mentor survey your mentor will be sent the Mentor Confirmation form, which will confirm they will be working with you and that they agree to some key elements that support your thesis partnership.  This step is completed by your mentor, there is no action you need to take.

If you are already working on your Thesis Proposal, Agreement, and Planning Worksheet and plan to submit it within two weeks you may choose to skip to step 3. 

Step 3: Complete Thesis Proposal, Agreement, and Planning Worksheet

You should complete The HC Thesis Proposal, Agreement, and Planning Worksheet at least three terms prior to graduation.

Once you and your mentor have agreed on a thesis project you will work with your mentor to define your project scope, methodology, responsibilities, and create a plan for completing the thesis in your OSU timeline.  

Follow the HC Thesis Proposal, Agreement & Planning Worksheet template closely. The template provides you and your mentor guidelines for creating a clearly defined and manageable project. Once you and your mentor have discussed the terms of your project you must upload these documents. Please note that only the mentor approves the proposal — the HC will not issue a separate approval of your project.

Minor changes do not necessitate resubmission to the HC.  If you are making major changes, such as changing mentors, you are required to notify your HC academic advisor and upload a revised Thesis Proposal, Agreement, and Planning Worksheet.

When completing the Thesis Proposal, Agreement, and Planning Worksheet

  • Schedule a meeting with your mentor to review the document. Bring a copy of the HC Thesis Proposal, Agreement & Planning Worksheet to your meeting.
  • Create a working draft of these documents with your mentor.
  • Discuss, refine, and finalize documents with your mentor.
  • Scan the signed HC Thesis Proposal, Agreement & Worksheet and upload to the HC for the HCs official records.
    • The HC recommends saving your files as both a word document and .pdf for easy upload and completion of the online webform.
Refer to the HC Academic Advising Canvas page for information on Stage 3: Commit workshops and other resources that will support you in completing your Thesis Proposal, Agreement, and Planning Worksheet