Application and Admission

Click on a link to be taken to the entry below.

The policies outlined in this catalog reflect University minimums. Departments may set higher standards.

Ohio University utilizes a self-managed application. This means that your application forms, transcripts, and supporting documents are collected by you and mailed to the university together. Students applying from within the United States will submit two envelopes. The first envelope is sent to the Graduate College. If applying with a paper application, it should contain a completed, signed application form, the non-refundable application fee, residency information form, affidavit of financial support (students applying for F-1 or J-1 visas only), and two official transcripts from each postsecondary school attended as described in the Transcripts section of this catalog. The address is Graduate College, Ohio University, Athens OH 45701. Students applying through the web-based electronic application must mail transcript and financial affidavit materials. The second envelope is sent to the graduate chair of the program (or programs) to which you are applying.

The second envelope should contain the background information and references form, sealed letters of recommendation (unless letters are submitted electronically as part of the Web application), a résumé or vita, a personal statement, autobiographical sketch, and/or statement of intent as required by the department (refer to the admission processes described in the individual department description elsewhere in this catalog), and other departmentally specified supporting materials (e.g. portfolio, application supplement, video or audio tape). This material should be mailed to Graduate Chair, (Department to which you are applying), Ohio University, Athens OH 45701. Students applying from overseas should send all materials to the Graduate College in just one envelope.

Application materials submitted through the electronic application do not need to also be sent as paper documents unless you are instructed to do otherwise.

Official test scores must be requested from the appropriate testing agency for reporting to Ohio University. The institution code is 1593. Department and major field codes can be found on the testing agencies web sites.

You may apply to more than one program at the same time by submitting an application packet and fee for each program. For promoted joint degree programs (e.g. MBA/ MSA) only one application fee is required. Upon receipt by the Graduate College, applications for admission are forwarded to the department indicated on the application. If a department determines that an applicant has applied to the wrong program, that application can be forwarded to the appropriate program for review, with the applicant’s consent.

All documents received by the University in connection with an application become the property of Ohio University. Under no circumstances will they be returned or forwarded to any agency or other college or university. Documents of students who are admitted to graduate status but fail to enroll for the quarter for which they are admitted are destroyed. Portfolio materials submitted to support application to programs in the College of Fine Arts may be returned as described in that section of this catalog.

In providing an application form and inviting application, Ohio University places itself under no obligation to admit any individual person. The officials of the university stand ready to register a student admitted for a specific quarter, providing he or she arrives before the quarter begins. In order to register, non-immigrant students must hold a valid Certificate of Eligibility (I-20 or DS-2019) for study at Ohio University.

*includes MBA/MSA joint degree program

All application fees are non-refundable. Check, cash or money order (payable to Ohio University) accepted for paper applications. Credit cards can be used with the web application only. Fees subject to change without notice.

Deadline for receipt of application materials varies by department. Please contact the department to which you are applying for specific application deadlines. For programs with quarterly admission, applications should be submitted at least six weeks prior to the term in which you are seeking to begin classes. Students who need to apply for visas are encouraged to submit all application materials at least nine months prior to desired term of entry.

Each application for admission must be accompanied by one (1) official transcript from each postsecondary institution attended, regardless of whether or not a degree was earned or the credits are reflected on a separate transcript as transfer credit. Students graduating from Ohio University must submit transcripts for postsecondary work done elsewhere, even if those transcripts have already been submitted to the student’s undergraduate college.

Transcripts from U.S. and Canadian institutions must be received in envelopes sealed by the issuing institution. Transcripts that have been opened, photocopied, or marked as unofficial will not be accepted as official. If the institution will not provide sealed copies directly to you, request that transcripts be mailed directly to the Graduate College, Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701.

Transcripts from non-U.S. institutions must be official or registrar-certified, in envelopes sealed by the issuing institution if possible. If original documents are not in English, also provide an official certified copy of all documents in English. The transcript must bear the seal and original signature of the school and school official and clearly show the name and address of the institution, the date you entered and left the institution, the date any degree was earned, all courses taken and grades received, and the system of grading used, indicating the highest mark and the lowest passing mark. Summary documents listing only classes passed are not accepted. The transcript/mark sheets must show all course attempts with grades earned. If the transcript/mark sheet does not name the degree and date earned, an official or registrar-certified copy of the diploma or graduation certificate that indicates the degree and date awarded must also be provided, with a certified English translation if the original is not in English.

Ohio University transcripts will be obtained by the Graduate College on your behalf.

Some academic programs require supporting evidence of your ability in the form of the Graduate Record Examination, Graduate Management Admission test, Miller Analogies Test, or other college ability tests. Consult the specific department about necessary test requirements. College ability test scores older than five years will not be accepted.

Scores for GRE, GMAT, TOEFL or other required tests must be reported directly from the testing agency to Ohio University. Photocopies of student score reports may be used for preliminary evaluation and matching purposes, but are not accepted as official. The Ohio University reporting code is 1593.

By mail: GRE-ETS, PO Box 6000, Princeton, NJ 08541-6000 By phone: 1-866-473-4373 (U.S., U.S. Territories and Canada) 1-609-771-7670 (all other locations) By Web: www.gre.org

By mail: GMAT-ETS, PO Box 6103, Princeton, NJ 08541-6103 By phone: 1-800-462-8669 By Web: www.mba.com

By phone: 1-800-622-3231 By Web: www.milleranalogies.com

By mail: TOEFL Services, P.O. Box 6151, Princeton, NJ 08541-6151 By phone: Inside the United States, US Territories and Canada 1-877-863-3546 (toll free) Outside the United States, U.S. Territories and Canada 1-609-771-7100 By Web: www.ets.org/toefl

International English Language Testing System By Web: www.ielts.org

The language of instruction at Ohio University is English. Therefore, proficiency in reading, writing, speaking, and understanding English is essential to academic success. All applicants for whom English is not a native language are required to submit evidence of proficiency by submitting official results of one of two standardized tests: the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS academic).

The minimum TOEFL for unconditional admission is 80 (iBT) (550 paper-based). The minimum IELTS for unconditional admission is 6.5 minimum across all bands. Some departments require a higher score. English language proficiency test scores older than two years are not accepted.

Applicants with a TOEFL score between 61 and 80 (iBT) (500-550 paper-based) or an IELTS score between 5.5 and 6.5 (across all bands) may be conditionally admitted on a case-by-case basis. Applicants admitted conditionally will be retested upon arrival for possible placement in additional language training. Conditionally admitted students are not eligible for University financial aid until they have been cleared for full-time academic study. Therefore, university funds cannot be used for any part of the financial guarantee required to issue a Certifcate of Eligibility (I-20 or DS-2019).

Applicants with a TOEFL score below 61 (iBT) (500 paper-based) or an IELTS score below 5.5 are not eligible for graduate admission (no exceptions under any circumstances). Persons with a TOEFL below 61 or and IELTS below 5.5 may apply separately to the Ohio Program of Intensive English for additional English language study.

The following non-native English speakers are exempt from submitting official test scores as part of an application packet:

• Applicants who, within the past two years, have received a bachelor’s or advanced degree from an accredited institution of higher education in the United States or a foreign college or university accredited by a Regional U.S. accrediting organization (where English is the language of instruction);
• Applicants who, within the past two years, have completed at least three years of full-time study at a governmentally-accredited institution of higher education where English is the primary language of instruction; or
• Participants in Ohio University exchange programs who have met university requirements through alternate means as approved by Graduate Council.

All students who fall into one of the above exemptions will be tested for proficiency upon arrival at the university (through the TOEFL). The results of this test will determine if additional English language training is required through the Ohio Program of Intensive English (OPIE). Students who are required to enroll in OPIE English courses are financially responsible for all associated tuition and fees. University financial aid (e.g. graduate assistantships/ scholarships) cannot be used to cover OPIE expenses.

All students may be tested for academic writing proficiency upon arrival. Individual academic programs may require on-campus English proficiency testing for any student for whom English is not a native language. Failure to achieve a passing score may result in dismissal from the program.

Graduate Teaching Assistants: 

Students with a Graduate Teaching Assistantship are required by Ohio law to demonstrate English proficiency prior to assuming instructional duties. If you are awarded a TA appointment, Ohio University will assess your oral proficiency before you assume your instructional duties.

International applicants must submit evidence of the financial responsibility as stated on the Affidavit of Financial Support as part of a complete application packet. In the event that you receive a University-funded assistantship, fellowship, or scholarship upon admission, that financial assistance will be cancelled if you do not demonstrate English proficiency upon your arrival.

A required international student orientation is held prior to the start of each academic quarter for all new students. All new international students, as well as returning students starting a new degree program, must report to the Office of International Student and Faculty Services upon arrival.

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services regulations require that international students, while in the United States, be full-time students in the first three quarters after arrival. You may then take a vacation in the next quarter as long as you intend to register in the quarter after the vacation. You must be making reasonable progress toward the completion of your degree. In the event that a problem should arise with enrollment, you are required to consult with your academic advisor and the international student advisor.

International students admitted to Ohio University with F1 or J1 visa status are required to use the online address service to update their addresses with Ohio University and to meet immigration reporting requirements.

Students must hold an appropriate academic study-eligible visa status by the first quarter of enrollment in a degree or certificate program. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that proper status is maintained.

Copies of admission materials submitted to the Graduate College are forwarded to the department indicated on your application. The departmental graduate committee recommends or denies admission and forwards the decision to the Graduate College. Your file is reviewed for completeness, and a letter is sent to you indicating admission, admission pending fulfillment of admission requirements, or denial of admission.

Admission requires a bachelor’s degree (or its foreign equivalent) from an accredited college or university. Bologna-compliant Bachelor’s degrees are accepted a U.S. bachelor’s equivalent. Other factors considered include undergradaute scholastic GPA (both overall and in the proposed graduate major), selection of courses, pattern of grades, recommendations, test scores, work exprience, and other relevant matters. Each department gives appropriate weight to the factors pertinent to its academic field.

If you have a bachelor’s degree from an unaccredited college or university located in the United States, you usually will be required to supplement your undergraduate record with a satisfactory score on an acceptable standard college ability test such as the GRE. Consult the specific department about necessary test requirements.

Application Retention: Applications are valid for one calendar year based on date received, and can be deferred up to one year. Applications pending after one year without request from the student or academic program/department for deferral will be treated as denied; application and materials are then subject to being destroyed. Application materials for students who are denied admission are held for one year. Students wishing to reapply must complete a new application form, pay the reapplication fee, and submit any additional supporting documents required to complete their application.

You must begin your graduate study in the term for which you have been admitted. If this is not possible, you may request a deferment from your degree program prior to the start of the term of entry. If that deferral extends beyond a year from your initial application, you must reapply, pay the reapplication fee, and be readmitted. Please note that assistantship offers may not defer. Failure to request a deferment will result in cancellation of your admission.

Students in Education: If you have earned a master’s degree in education at Ohio University and plan to take additional work in education, you must reapply for admission through the Graduate College.

To register for graduate-level courses, you must apply for and be admitted as a degree or non-degree seeking graduate student through the normal application process. Ohio University employees who are admitted to graduate study may not hold simultaneous appointments as University employees and graduate appointment contracts.

All Ohio University faculty and administrators on full-time presidential contract, except senior administrators (vice presidents, vice provosts, associate provosts, and deans) are eligible to apply for admission to a graduate program or to non-degree status. The Graduate Council will review all applications for potential conflict of interest. See the stipulations regarding conflict of interest in the Faculty Handbook, Section IV-F. If the Graduate Council determines that a conflict exists, the faculty member or administrator shall not be admitted to a graduate program. It is the responsibility of the Dean of the Graduate College to see that this review takes place at the earliest possible date.

No academic employee above the rank of Instructor, Research Assistant, or equivalent may receive from the University the Master’s Degree or the Doctor’s Degree in any graduate program where the faculty member has membership, teaches courses, serves on Master’s or Doctoral Committees, has, or is expected to have, other supervisory responsibilities which might give rise to conflicts of interest or the appearance of conflicts of interest. Faculty members or senior administrators on full-time presidential contracts at Ohio University seeking a terminal degree must enroll in academic programs outside the colleges in which they are employed. Appeals regarding this policy follow the guidelines established in accordance with the “Faculty Grievance Committee”’ procedures (see Faculty Handbook, Section II.G).

If you are a full-time faculty member or full-time administrator at Ohio University who is admitted to a degree program or to non-degree status, you may normally register for no more than eight hours per quarter. To register for 9 or 10 hours, you must have written approval from the graduate chair of your academic program and from the administrative supervisor for your employee position. Course loads taken during breaks in regular employment, however, such as summers for nine month faculty, will be limited only by Graduate Catalog regulations. See the stipulations regarding residency requirements in this catalog and the Policy and Procedure Manual, No. 40.015.

If you are currently in a graduate degree program and are offered a presidential contract appointment, your situation will be reviewed by the Graduate Council at the earliest possible date. The Graduate Council will determine whether conflict of interest or unfair competition would result from your dual status as a student and a presidential contract employee that might affect your academic performance and evaluation. If the Graduate Council determines that such a conflict would exist, they will inform you that you may not continue in your graduate program if you accept the presidential contract appointment.

It is your responsibility to notify the University of your employment on the Graduate Admissions Application. If you are a current graduate student and are offered a presidential contract appointment, it is your responsibility to notify the Graduate College of that appointment.

Ohio University has four categories of graduate student admission: degree, non-degree, postbaccalaureate, and transient.

A degree-seeking student is one who is working toward a graduate degree at Ohio University.

To take graduate courses if you have no intention of working toward a graduate degree at Ohio University, apply for admission in the regular manner but as a non-degree student. Approval for such admission does not constitute admission to a degree program. Credit earned prior to admission to a degree program as a degree-seeking student cannot normally be applied toward a graduate degree at Ohio University. In exceptional cases the appropriate academic department will determine which courses, if any, that you take while in non-degree status may be applied subsequently toward degree requirements.

You may take no more than 18 hours of academic work, within a time limit of six years, as a non-degree student.

Graduate Certificate Programs: Persons applying for non-degree status for the purposes of earning a graduate certificate program must submit all applicable application materials and be admitted to the certificate program prior to starting coursework. Graduate status will cease with completion of the certificate unless another valid status is in place.

This status is applicable to the regional campuses for all quarters and to the Athens campus for summer only. The conditions of postbaccalaureate admission are the same as for non-degree graduate status: (a) admission status terminates after completion of 18 graduate hours, or six years, whichever comes first (b) admission to non-degree status does not constitute admission to a graduate degree program, and (c) credit earned cannot normally be applied toward a graduate degree at Ohio University. A new application must be submitted upon termination of status as noted in (a) above. Some graduate courses are not open to students admitted to postbaccalaureate status. If in doubt about the acceptability of postbaccalaureate status for a specific course, check with the department offering the course.

A student currently working toward a graduate degree at another university may earn graduate credit at Ohio University to be transferred to the other university.

You may be admitted to transient status by submitting a transient student application and Residency Information form, the appropriate application fee, and an official statement of good standing from the dean of the graduate school in which you are enrolled.

You must request permission each quarter to register at Ohio University as a transient student.

Admission to any category may be granted on provisional or conditional basis. All admission requirements must be completed to attain final admission status. Admission status must be final to receive final Ohio University transcripts and the degree diploma.

Unconditional (Final) Admission

Students approved by the major department for unqualified admission to a graduate degree program are given unconditional admission.

Provisional Admission

Any admission to a graduate program is provisional until you have provided a final official transcript from your undergraduate institution showing receipt of the bachelor’s degree, and transcripts from any other postsecondary school attended. It is your responsibility to see that final official transcripts are on file in the Graduate College no later than the end of your first quarter of registration in a graduate program. Provisional status is removed when all final documents are received by the Graduate College. Failure to produce final documents will result in a registration hold being placed on your account and may result in dismissal from graduate status.

Conditional Admission

Students who have some deficiency in the entrance requirements may be recommended by the department for conditional admission. Conditionally admitted students must meet the stipulations set forth at the time of admission to achieve unconditional admission status. Failure to meet terms of admission will result in dismissal from the degree program. Students are eligible for University-Funded assistantships, fellowships, and scholarships only after they have received unconditional admission. The two policies below are not mutually exclusive.

Conditional admission due to academic deficiency

Students who have some academic deficiency in the entrance requirements, such as a low grade-point average or missing prerequisite coursework, may be recommended by the department for conditional admission. Students admitted conditionally based on an academic deficiency must achieve unconditional admission status by satisfactorily completing a prescribed program to remove any academic deficiencies and attaining a 3.000 or better grade-point average in the first 15 hours of graded graduate course credit. Unofficial withdrawals (FN/FS) are factored into this calculation. The department graduate committee will specify whether undergraduate courses required as further preparation for admission will be taken for audit or credit. Grades earned in such courses may be used by the graduate committee in evaluating a student’s capability for graduate work. Undergraduate or audited courses will not satisfy requirements for any graduate degree.

Conditional admission due to deficiency in English language competency

Non-Native speakers of English who have a deficiency in English language competency (at least 61 TOEFL iBT but below university unconditional and department entrance requirements) may be recommended by the department for conditional admission with concurrent admission to the Ohio Program of Intensive English (OPIE). Students admitted in this category must achieve unconditional admission by satisfactorily completing a prescribed program to attain the required level of language competency. A student who fails to achieve unconditional admission within four quarters of the original admission will be dismissed from the academic program. Readmission to the academic program requires a new application. Students who will be visa holders and are admitted conditionally with concurrent admission to OPIE must demonstrate they have sufficient funds for the first year of study before a Form I-20 or DS-2019 Certificate of Eligibility can be issued.

Requests to change or add degree programs must be accompanied by a new application and application fee, except in cases where the department is updating program codes or the student is applying for conferral of a Master’s degree within the Ph.D. program in which he/she is currently enrolled (e.g. Math, Psychology).

You may pursue more than one graduate degree at a time. If you are admitted to multiple degree programs, you will be assessed technology fees for each degree program even if you are not taking courses in that program. Students who wish to remove technology fees must withdraw from the program with a written request to the Graduate College. Technology fees are not removed retroactively from previous quarters. A student who has withdrawn must reapply and be readmitted to the program dropped. Students admitted to a promoted joint degree program (e.g. MBA/MSA) are assessed only technology fees for only one college per year.

Graduate status is granted for a specific program and tied to that program. Status ends when the student graduates, is formally separated from the program, or exceeds the time to degree. Students without active graduate status who wish to take additional graduate-level coursework must complete a new application and be admitted to a new degree or non-degree status.

Students working toward graduate degrees are required to enroll in graduate courses that are part of their degree programs. You may earn a graduate degree only in a program to which you have been admitted and in which you have enrolled.

Except for Honors Tutorial students and those who meet the conditions listed below, no undergraduate student may take a graduate course for credit. Honors Tutorial students seeking to obtain graduate credit for courses must complete a Senior for Graduate Credit application as described below.

Students in a recognized departmental honors program may take a maximum of three graduate courses in their major department during their senior year (i.e., after earning 135 or more hours of credit). Hours earned in these courses will count toward total hours required for the undergraduate degree only and the grades will be calculated into the undergraduate GPA Registration in graduate courses requires written permission from the instructor. Participation in this option is at the discretion of the department or school. Students process this special registration by obtaining permission from the departmental honors coordinator and submitting the approval form to the Registrar’s Office for processing.

An Ohio University student who has not yet completed all requirements for the bachelor’s degree may be eligible for graduate study as a senior. Generally, no more than two graduate courses may be taken in this way, and graduate courses will not fulfill any undergraduate requirements. This privilege is normally granted for one quarter only. You must have an overall GPA of at least 2.5 and be within nine credits of completing all requirements for your bachelor’s degree. The graduate credit becomes part of your graduate record only; it does not affect undergraduate course requirements, hours earned, or GPA Senior for Graduate Credit courses are equivalent to graduate coursework taken in non-degree graduate status. Approval for Senior for Graduate Credit does not constitute admission to a degree program, and credit earned may not automatically apply toward a graduate degree program.

You may apply to take graduate courses carrying graduate credit by securing the written recommendation of the dean of your undergraduate college and the graduate chair of the departments offering the graduate courses through the Senior for Graduate Credit Form, which can be downloaded from the Graduate College web site. If you are admitted as a senior for graduate credit, you pay undergraduate fees and are not eligible for graduate assistantship or scholarship support. A $10 application fee is charged for this privilege, and you must apply in advance of registration through the Graduate College. This privilege may also be extended to a well qualified senior at another university who has nine or fewer credits to complete for the bachelor’s degree.

Early Admission to a Graduate Degree Program

A superior undergraduate student may seek early admission to a graduate degree program. You must have an overall GPA of at least 3.5 and have completed all undergraduate requirements, except the total credit hour requirement, by the time of your entry into the graduate degree program. After obtaining the written recommendation of your department, the departmental graduate committee, and the dean of your undergraduate college, you may be admitted into a graduate degree program and enroll in graduate courses for graduate credit. You can use these courses to satisfy both graduate degree requirements and undergraduate total credit hour requirements. You must apply for this privilege in advance of registration through the Graduate College. The application for early admission is available on the Graduate College web site. If you qualify for early admission to a graduate degree program, and you are admitted to graduate status, you are eligible for graduate assistantship or scholarship support.