{"id":2491,"date":"2024-02-28T09:00:44","date_gmt":"2024-02-28T17:00:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/?p=2491"},"modified":"2024-08-05T20:58:56","modified_gmt":"2024-08-06T03:58:56","slug":"honors-degree-online-finds-strong-demand","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/honors-degree-online-finds-strong-demand\/","title":{"rendered":"Oregon State’s honors degree online exceeds expectations, finds strong demand"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"A<\/p>\n

Editor’s note:<\/strong> This article was originally published in the 2024 issue of the Honors Link magazine<\/a> from Oregon State University’s Honors College.<\/div>\n

When Oregon State University’s Honors College extended the Honors Baccalaureate to students earning their degrees exclusively online via Oregon State Ecampus, the expectation was for around 15 students to enroll by the beginning of fall term 2023.<\/p>\n

Instead, there were more than 50.<\/p>\n

Demand has been strong because the Honors College value proposition aligns with the wants and needs of online students, most of whom are already in the workforce and pursuing a degree to advance their careers or transition to a new career path.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are very few universities that have embraced an honors pathway fully for distance students,\u201d says Honors College Dean Toni Doolen. As one of the first, Oregon State is drawing new honors students from across the U.S. and from as far away as Ukraine and South Africa.<\/p>\n

\n

Experience the academic excellence of the OSU Honors College online<\/h3>\n

Pursuing an honors baccalaureate degree online with Oregon State will enable you to participate in enhanced curricular and co-curricular experiences, engage in research with OSU faculty and write and defend an honors thesis on a topic of your choosing. Learn more \u00bb<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Leanna Dillon, Honors College Ecampus coordinator and academic advisor<\/a>, meets with every admitted student before they enroll. She says she\u2019s been impressed by their motivation and clear goals. They want the research experience from the thesis. They want professional development. And they want to make connections with faculty in their field, mentors who can open doors to internships, jobs and other opportunities.<\/p>\n

\u201cI love working with these students,\u201d she says. \u201cThey have a why for why they\u2019re here.\u201d<\/p>\n

One of the hallmarks of the Honors College experience is community engagement, and Dillon is building a new model with input from online students. She created and manages an interactive Honors College Ecampus Community in Canvas, Oregon State\u2019s online learning management system, as well as a more informal Honors College Ecampus social community on Discord to encourage students to have conversations with her, with faculty and with each other.<\/p>\n

Students want opportunities for live conversations using the Zoom video platform, including participating virtually in Honors College events, Dillon says. \u201cStudents are seeking out this type of engagement. It\u2019s part of my job to make sure that events and resources are accessible and relevant to Honors College Ecampus students.\u201d<\/p>\n

Several Ecampus students have started the early phases of their thesis, including completing the Stage 1 thesis course that\u2019s required of all honors students. Dillon says the Honors College learned how to make the research and thesis-writing processes work for distance learners during the COVID-19 pandemic, and those support structures remain.<\/p>\n

“<\/span>As a college, we\u2019ve shown over and over we\u2019re … always centered on how to create an experience that is transformative for these really great students.”<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

A year in, the Honors College is still building capacity and developing more online classes, including three- and four-credit courses students need for their major. Associate Dean Susan Rodgers says faculty who teach colloquia classes are encouraged to develop an online version or create a unique Ecampus course. She adds that honors faculty who are new to online teaching have been enthusiastic, including one who emailed at the end of the term, \u201cPlease, can I do this again?\u201d<\/p>\n

Significantly expanding Ecampus enrollment is one of the priorities in Oregon State\u2019s new strategic plan, and that will include many more students earning the Honors Baccalaureate online. Already, the addition of more nontraditional students has helped create an honors community that is more representative of the OSU student population, Doolen says. And it fulfills her longstanding priority to make the transformative honors experience accessible to any qualified Oregon State student.<\/p>\n

\u201cEcampus students not having access to the honors degree was never an option. We needed to get here,\u201d she says. \u201cAs a college, we\u2019ve shown over and over we\u2019re very good at trying things out, learning quickly, adjusting, moving on and always centered on how to create an experience that is transformative for these really great students. I\u2019m super proud of how we\u2019ve done it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n

Find details about pursuing an Oregon State honors degree online, how to join the Honors College and read frequently asked questions.<\/em><\/p>\n

Learn more about the OSU Honors College<\/a><\/h3>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

<\/span> 3<\/span> minute read<\/span><\/span>When Oregon State University’s Honors College extended the Honors Baccalaureate to students earning their degrees exclusively online, the expectation was for around 15 students to enroll by the beginning of fall term 2023. Instead, there were more than 50.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":71,"featured_media":2492,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,678,8,676],"tags":[660],"class_list":["post-2491","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-all","category-faculty-and-programs","category-students","category-why-osu","tag-honors-college"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/honors-link.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7BNSE-Eb","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":2244,"url":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/first-online-honors-degree\/","url_meta":{"origin":2491,"position":0},"title":"Oregon State University unveils one of the world’s first online honors degree options","author":"Gary Dulude","date":"March 1, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Oregon State University\u2019s nationally ranked online undergraduate programs are about to add a new distinction. Starting in spring term 2023, the Oregon State Honors College will become one of the first honors programs in the world to be fully accessible to online students.","rel":"","context":"In "All Stories"","block_context":{"text":"All Stories","link":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/category\/all\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"A smiling male student kneels in a greenhouse with a notepad and pen in hand.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/oregon-state-honors-college-online.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/oregon-state-honors-college-online.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/oregon-state-honors-college-online.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/oregon-state-honors-college-online.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2359,"url":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/benefits-online-honors-degree\/","url_meta":{"origin":2491,"position":1},"title":"Unlocking the benefits of an online honors degree","author":"Elena Moffet","date":"September 18, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Every OSU Ecampus student who is accepted into the Honors College meets with Leanna Dillon before officially enrolling. This helps set expectations and allows Dillion to learn about each student's research interests and career goals.","rel":"","context":"In "All Stories"","block_context":{"text":"All Stories","link":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/category\/all\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Woman doing a video call on her laptop","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/news-Unlocking-the-benefits-of-an-online-honors-degree-800x450-1.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/news-Unlocking-the-benefits-of-an-online-honors-degree-800x450-1.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/news-Unlocking-the-benefits-of-an-online-honors-degree-800x450-1.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/news-Unlocking-the-benefits-of-an-online-honors-degree-800x450-1.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1716,"url":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/best-online-psychology-degree\/","url_meta":{"origin":2491,"position":2},"title":"Oregon State online psychology bachelor\u2019s degree ranked #1 in the U.S.","author":"Ecampus News","date":"January 27, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Oregon State University\u2019s expertise in delivering a liberal arts education online is well-documented, and now that reputation has been bolstered even further \u2014 thanks to U.S. News & World Report ranking OSU No. 2 on its list of Best Online Bachelor\u2019s in Psychology Programs for the second straight year.","rel":"","context":"In "All Stories"","block_context":{"text":"All Stories","link":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/category\/all\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Woman taking notes on clipboard while talking to a young child.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/ug-psychology-800x450-1.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/ug-psychology-800x450-1.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/ug-psychology-800x450-1.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/ug-psychology-800x450-1.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2270,"url":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/bringing-honors-online\/","url_meta":{"origin":2491,"position":3},"title":"The power of bringing honors online","author":"Elena Moffet","date":"February 5, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"In the winter of 2023, Jose Torres became the first Oregon State University student to complete an honors degree online. Ask him how he got here, and his story might surprise you. \u201cNobody in my family's ever gone to college or university, so it wasn't even in my mind. We're\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "All Stories"","block_context":{"text":"All Stories","link":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/category\/all\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Jose Torres","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/Jose-Torres-800x450-B.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/Jose-Torres-800x450-B.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/Jose-Torres-800x450-B.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/Jose-Torres-800x450-B.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2672,"url":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/levi-daniels-honors-college\/","url_meta":{"origin":2491,"position":4},"title":"From South Africa, online honors student uses innovative life coaching models to help teens flourish","author":"Kallie Hagel","date":"November 1, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Levi Daniels pairs Oregon State psychology studies and research with a passion for helping youths develop lasting skills Editor's note: This article was originally published by the Oregon State University Honors College. One of the core values of the Honors College is that\u00a0success is not accidental \u2014 it requires flexible\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "All Stories"","block_context":{"text":"All Stories","link":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/category\/all\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Oregon State University student Levi Daniels smiles at the camera.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/Levi-800x450-1.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/Levi-800x450-1.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/Levi-800x450-1.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/Levi-800x450-1.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2206,"url":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/best-online-degrees\/","url_meta":{"origin":2491,"position":5},"title":"Oregon State ranked top 10 nationally for best online degrees for 9th straight year","author":"Tyler Hansen","date":"January 24, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Bolstered by the expertise of the faculty who develop and teach classes online, Oregon State has earned another top ranking from U.S. News & World Report as one of the nation\u2019s best providers of online education. OSU ranks No. 8 in the category of\u00a0Best Online Bachelor\u2019s Programs for 2023, marking\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "All Stories"","block_context":{"text":"All Stories","link":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/category\/all\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Scenic image of the black entrance sign to Oregon State University with trees in the background","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/OSU-entrance-sign-2022.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/OSU-entrance-sign-2022.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/OSU-entrance-sign-2022.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/OSU-entrance-sign-2022.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2491","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/71"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2491"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2491\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2492"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2491"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2491"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2491"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}