While the Capstone can be started as early as your second year, we ask for your plan by November 1 of your third year. Complete the Capstone Form and submit it to hococapstone@olemiss.edu or to Rachel Coleman at rachel@olemiss.edu. Because graduation plans can change and some students plan to graduate in more or less than four years, please keep us updated of your expected semester of graduation.
Preparing the Capstone Form
The Capstone form will ask you which track you will be on. Please use the guidelines described above to check the appropriate box.
The form will also ask you which courses you will be taking while you work on your Capstone. Use the Commonly Used Courses page to determine which courses work for your path. When possible, choose one of the listed research or independent study courses in your major for your Capstone credit; this way your work on the Capstone will also help you meet the requirements of your major. We can also use HON 301, 302, 401, and 402, but these should be considered only when an appropriate course in your major is not available or you are on the project track.
Before you submit the Capstone form to the Honors College, you should get the (ink or electronic) signature of your thesis advisor and the chair of the department in which you will receive course credit.
After Submitting the Capstone Form
When you are working out your plan and then again when you are receiving course credit for Capstone work, you and your advisor should discuss expectations, deadlines, grading criteria, and how frequently you will meet. Be sure you are clear about the work required of you each for each meeting and by the end of each semester.
For most courses that you will be taking while working on your Capstone, you register for the class by contacting your advisor or chair about being added to a section of that research course. For HON 301, 302, 401, and 402, we will sign you into a section with your Capstone advisor according to the plan described in your Capstone form. If there are changes to your plan, please contact hococapstone@olemiss.edu so that we can get you into the right section.
In the fall of your senior year, you will be asked to inform the Honors College of your second reader, who is determined by your advisor and you.
If at some point your Capstone takes on a significantly different focus, or if the classes you are taking for you Capstone changes from your original plan, or if your advisor changes, please fill out a new Capstone Form.
If you or your advisor run into difficulties, please contact the Associate Dean for Capstone as soon as possible. The staff of the SMBHC is here to help you, but we can only help if we know what is going on.