Academic Policies and Procedures

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Degree Requirements

A minimum of 30 graduate (semester) hours is required for conferral of the master’s degree. You may not have more than 8 credits with a CR grade exclusive of practicum, internship, research, and thesis hours applied to your minimal credit requirements. Additional credits may be required by individual departments. You should develop a program of study approved by your advisor and the departmental graduate committee early in your first graduate semester to ensure that you satisfy all degree requirements in the most efficient manner possible. Since graduate work implies advanced study and some degree of specialization, a certain amount of undergraduate preparation in the subject or field of study is presupposed before you may undertake graduate study in that subject or field.

In most departments a minimum of 18 undergraduate (semester) credits is required in the major area. Refer to the requirements listed by each program. It is your responsibility to ascertain whether a period of residence on the Athens campus is required in your major and to plan a program of study accordingly by consulting with your advisor and departmental graduate committee. A comprehensive examination may be required, the nature and timing of which is determined by the department.

Time Limit

The maximum time allowed between the date when you first initiate graduate study toward a master’s degree and the date when you complete the requirements for the master’s degree is six calendar years. Any master’s degree program that requires more than 40 hours may increase the six-year time limit to seven years. Check with the Graduate College or your graduate department to verify the time limit for your graduate program. If you do not complete your requirements within the time limit, you may be permitted to continue graduate study only if exceptional circumstances are associated with the delay.

The dean of your college may grant a one-time, one-semester extension for the semester immediately following the final semester in which your degree requirements were to have been complete, based on the Time Limit policy as described above.

If circumstances require an extension of time beyond the one-semester dean’s extension, you must apply for readmission to the program by completing a new application form and paying the reapplication fee. The graduate committee of the program and the dean of the college must review the readmission application. The criteria for readmission should be the currency of your courses, project, or thesis. The program may require retaking or adding particular courses, updating the project or thesis, taking additional practicum or internship hours, or fulfilling any degree requirements that have been added since the initiation of your program. If readmission is approved, the specifications for readmission, including the length of time for the readmission, must be presented to you in writing, with a copy placed on file in the Graduate College.  If approved for readmission, you must fulfill the degree requirements in effect at the point of readmission.

Thesis Requirement
 

If you are in a thesis program, you will prepare the thesis under the guidance of your thesis director on a subject in the field of your major work. The thesis provides an opportunity for you to formulate and express the results of research and study. You may meet the thesis requirement by presenting the results of a creative activity in literature, music, fine arts, or industrial arts, together with a written essay indicating the purpose, procedure, problems, and bibliography involved in the work. Each department prescribes the specific style manual to be followed by its students. You and your thesis director are responsible for maintaining accepted standards of grammar, sentence structure, punctuation, form, scholarly style, and scholarly integrity in the thesis. Regarding the accepted formatting standards for the thesis, the Thesis and Dissertation Services website, www.ohio.edu/tad is a resource provided by the Graduate College and Thesis and Dissertation Services (TAD) to aid in creating your document. Students may download a template pre-loaded with acceptable typefaces, heading styles, sizes and the front-of-document pages.  A PDF document “Thesis and Dissertation Guidebook,” is available for those who prefer not to use the templates and wish to format the documents by hand. This pamphlet contains regulations regarding type, margins, quality of paper, and other aspects, as well as detailed directions for submitting the finished thesis. You must obtain from the TAD Services Website the current format and the printed list of semester deadlines for graduation.

It is recommended that students submit their document for format review to TAD Services via email before the Oral Defense. This may occur at any time, but TAD Services recommends at least 4 chapters or 75 percent of the document for review, including the abstract, references, table of contents and lists of tables and figures. After the thesis has been approved by your thesis committee, thesis director, and dean, the document should be emailed to TAD Services for a final format review. The student is responsible at this time for providing a photocopy, scan or fax of the Oral Defense form to TAD Services. After the format has been approved, the final version and an electronically signed PDF of the document will be returned to the student for upload to OhioLINK, a consortium of the libraries of Ohio colleges and universities and the State Library of Ohio. Once all steps have been completed, TAD Services sends an email with the subject of “TAD Process Complete” to the college dean’s office, advisor, graduate director and student with the final document attached noting the document format has been accepted and the student has completed all the steps in the Thesis and Dissertation Process.

Oral Thesis Examination 

An oral thesis examination is required of all students in a master’s thesis program. The examining committee is composed of the director of the thesis (as chair) and two or more additional faculty members. Committee membership guidelines are set by each college.

You and your thesis director, in consultation with members of the examining committee, set a time and place for the examination. You must present final copies of the thesis to members of your examination committee at least two weeks before the date of your oral examination to allow adequate review of the manuscript. Once you successfully defend, you must provide a photocopy, scan or fax copy of the signed Oral Defense Form to the Graduate College and emails a copy of the final, post-oral defense document for a final format check at tad@ohio.edu.

Nonthesis Option

Several departments have master’s degree programs with a nonthesis option. Consult with your advisor and carefully consider your career goals in deciding between a thesis or nonthesis option. Many academic areas regard a nonthesis master’s program as a terminal degree program.

Second and Dual Master’s Degrees

If you wish to earn a second or dual master’s degree at Ohio University, you must make formal application for admission to the department in which you are seeking the second or dual master’s degree and pay the appropriate application fee. For a second master’s degree, you must prepare a program of study for each master’s degree by listing the course number, name, and number of credits. You may use no more than three courses (up to a maximum of 10 semester hours) from one master’s degree program to satisfy degree requirements in a second master’s degree program. Each program of study must be signed by the departmental graduate committee in both departments in which master’s degrees will be earned. You must then submit the programs of study to the Graduate College for final approval. Any admission status given in a second master’s degree program must be regarded as provisional until the programs of study are received. Dual/Second Degree Forms may be downloaded from the Graduate College website.

The doctoral degree is granted on the basis of evidence that you have achieved a high level of scholarship and proficiency in research rather than solely on the basis of successful completion of a prescribed amount of coursework. Your competence and ability to work independently and write creatively are established by qualifying and comprehensive examinations and the quality of a dissertation submitted as an account of your original research.

A minimum of 90 graduate (semester) hours beyond the bachelor’s degree must be completed for conferral of a doctoral degree.

Time Limit

You must complete the doctoral program of study within seven calendar years of the date of its initiation as determined by the department and recorded in the Graduate College.

If you do not complete requirements for the degree within the given period, you may be permitted to continue in graduate study only if exceptional circumstances are associated with the delay in progress.

The dean of your college may grant a one-time, one-semester extension for the semester immediately following the final semester in which your degree requirements were to have been completed.

If circumstances require an extension beyond the one-semester dean’s extension, you must apply for readmission to the program. The application for readmission must be reviewed by the graduate committee of the program and the dean of the college. Criteria for readmission should be the currency of your (1) knowledge of the required work, (2) research literature, and (3) research methods and techniques. The program may require additional coursework, retaking the oral/written comprehensive examination, changing or updating the dissertation, or fulfilling any degree requirements that have been added since the initiation of your program. If readmission is approved, the specifications for readmission, including the length of time for the readmission, must be presented to you in writing, with a copy placed on file in the Graduate College. If approved for readmission, you must fulfill the degree requirements in effect at the point of readmission.

Program of Study and Advisory Committee
 

The graduate committee of your department will assign an advisor and an advisory committee who must approve the proposed program of study for the degree. Graduate work completed at another university will be considered by the departmental graduate committee and your advisory committee in the development of your program of study.

Typically, when the dissertation proposal is nearing approval, the departmental graduate committee will forward to the office of the dean of the college in which you are enrolled a recommendation for appointment of a dean’s representative, together with the names of other dissertation committee members and the title of your dissertation. Committee membership guidelines are set by each college. The committee must consist of at least three members representing the range of content in your program of study, in addition to the representative from the dean’s office.

Comprehensive Examination
 

When coursework is virtually completed, and upon the recommendation of the advisory committee, you take a comprehensive examination to establish your mastery of the fields of specialization and readiness for advanced research. The results of the examination must be reported within one week to the office of the dean of the college in which you are enrolled on a form provided by the dean’s office.

A copy of this form is sent to the Graduate College for inclusion in your academic file.

Scholarly Discipline Requirement

The doctoral degree by definition is research oriented, and each department determines the auxiliary research competencies needed by doctoral candidates. Competence is determined by standards and methods established by the individual department. If you expect to demonstrate proficiency in one of the scholarly disciplines in which examinations are arranged by your dean’s office (e.g., statistics, computer science, or foreign language), you must file an appropriate intent form. This form is available from and should be filed with the office of the dean of the college in which you are enrolled. You must be registered for a minimum of two hours in the semester in which you take the examination.

The French, German, Russian, and Spanish proficiency examinations of the Educational Testing Service are given at Ohio University several times during the year. Information and application forms are available at the Department of Modern Languages, Gordy Hall 283.

Academic Residency Requirement
 

Normally, at least two academic semesters of the doctoral program are in continuous residence on the Athens campus in an institutional full-time status (registration for 9 graduate credits). If you receive Ohio University stipend support, you are considered to have instructional full-time status by registering for a minimum of 12 graduate credits for an assistantship, or a minimum of 15 graduate credits for Recruitment scholarship/stipend, fellowship, or tuition scholarship only.

The continuous residence requirement applies to the period of graduate study following the completion of the master’s degree or the completion of at least 30 graduate credits.

Admission to Candidacy

Admission to candidacy is achieved after you have completed the following steps:

1.    Formation of the dissertation committee (including the dean’s representative), which may be the same as your advisory committee,
2.    Approval of the research proposal by this committee,
3.    Successful completion of the comprehensive examination, and
4.    Satisfaction of all required scholarly disciplines.

Doctoral committee membership is determined by college policy. Check with the dean’s office for specific information.

Forms indicating completion of the above steps are available from and filed in the office of the dean of the college in which you are enrolled. You are not permitted to schedule the oral examination of the dissertation until you have met all requirements for admission to candidacy.

A copy of your admission-to-candidacy letter is sent to the Graduate College for inclusion in your official file.

Dissertation

A dissertation, the scholarly account of research in the new area of knowledge, is submitted by each candidate. Each department prescribes the specific style manual to be followed by its students. Regarding the accepted formatting standards for the thesis, the Thesis and Dissertation Services website, www.ohio.edu/tad is a resource provided by the Graduate College and Thesis and Dissertation Services (TAD) to aid in creating your document. Students may download a template pre-loaded with acceptable typefaces, heading styles, sizes and front-of-document pages. A PDF document “Thesis and Dissertation Guidebook,” is available for those who prefer not to use the templates and wish to format the documents themselves. This pamphlet contains regulations regarding type, margins, quality of paper, and other aspects, as well as detailed directions for submitting the finished dissertation.  You must obtain from the TAD Services Website the current format and the printed list of semester deadlines for graduation. In addition, doctoral candidates must complete the online UMI/ProQuest form for microfilming and entry into Dissertation Abstracts International. Also required is the completion of the Survey of Earned Doctorates.

It is recommended that students submit their document for format review to TAD Services via email before the Oral Defense. This may occur at any time, but TAD Services recommends at least 4 chapters or 75 percent of the document for review, including the abstract, references, table of contents and lists of tables and figures. After the dissertation has been approved by your dissertation committee, dissertation director, and dean, the document should be emailed to TAD Services for a final format review. The student is responsible at this time for provided a photocopy, scan or fax of the Oral Defense form to TAD Services. After the format has been approved, the final version and an electronically signed PDF of the document will be returned to the student for upload to OhioLINK, a consortium of Ohio university and college member libraries and the State Library of Ohio. Once all steps have been completed, TAD Services sends an email with the subject of “TAD Process Complete” to the college dean’s office, advisor, graduate director and student with the final document attached noting the document format has been accepted and the student has completed all the steps in the Thesis and Dissertation Process.

Oral Dissertation Examination

An oral dissertation examination is required of all doctoral candidates. The examining committee is composed of your entire dissertation committee (including the representative of the dean of the college in which you are enrolled) unless otherwise specified by the Associate Dean for the Graduate College. You must present final copies of the dissertation to members of the examining committee at least two weeks before the date of your oral examination to allow adequate time for review. The final arrangements for the examination must be completed through the office of the dean of the college in which you are enrolled at least 10 days prior to the examination. The arrangement form can be found on the Thesis and Dissertation (TAD) Services Web site at http://www.ohio.edu/graduate/etd/oraldefense.cfm.  The details of the examination, including time and place, must be completed by the student and sent to the dean’s office of the college for posting.

You are also responsible for preparing the Oral Defense Form and taking this to the oral defense. This form can be found at http://www.ohio.edu/graduate/etd/oraldefense.cfm.   Once you successfully defends, you will provide a photocopy, scan or fax copy of the signed Oral Defense Form to the Graduate College and emails a copy of the final, post-oral defense document for a final format check at tad@ohio.edu.

Dissertations or Theses can be copyrighted at the time the manuscript is complete. A registered copyright creates a public record of ownership and is necessary for future legal action. To register your copyright, go to http://www.copyright.gov/forms/ to complete the online form, pay the applicable fee, and upload your final manuscript in PDF file format. For more information regarding copyright registration, go to www.copyright.gov. It is recommended that filing for a copyright occur at the time the final document is submitted to TAD Services. For further information, contact TAD Services tad@ohio.edu.

Restricted Publication of Theses or Dissertations
 

Publication delays are generally requested if students are concerned their online manuscripts may restrict their ability to publish derived or exact text from the manuscript in the form of articles, poems, short stories, or in book format after graduation or if a patent is pending. TAD Services strongly suggest a student request a publication delay if they plan to publish exact text from their manuscript. Before requesting a publication delay, however, students are encouraged to contact publishers to find out which companies consider ETDs as previously published works.

A publication delay applies to the OhioLINK online copy only. A publication delay does not apply to doctoral dissertations in ProQuest/UMI (Dissertation Abstracts) database that are viewable by Ohio University library patrons.

Upon completing the Publication Delay form in TAD Services (found at http://www.ohio.edu/graduate/etd/upload/pub_delay.pdf), a student may delay publication for up to a maximum of 5 years if, in the judgment of the office, the data upon which the thesis or dissertation are based are proprietary and will not be made available in the public domain until the appropriate time. You must submit the original copy of the request for delay with a signature and include the reason for the request.

A thesis or dissertation completed at Ohio University is withheld from the public only if it has been approved for delayed publication following the procedures outlined above or if a question of plagiarism, libelous or abusive statements, or falsification or misrepresentation of data is raised, in which case the manuscript is withheld until the issue has been resolved.

At the close of a session or upon completion of a class, the instructor reports a final grade indicating the quality of a student’s work in the class. The University Registrar’s deadlines for submitting grades each semester or session must be met. Failure to do so creates problems for students such as loss of employment, scholarships, financial aid, and opportunities for further study. Once grades are submitted to the University Registrar, they are final and cannot be changed unless evidence of an error can be presented or a formal grade appeal process is completed in accordance with Ohio University’s official grade appeal policy (see “Grade Appeals” below). Grades cannot be changed by arranging to complete additional work. Grade point values are assigned for each semester hour of credit completed according to the grading system below.

The basis for determining a student’s scholastic standing is the grade point average (GPA). This average is determined by dividing the total number of grade points earned by the total number of semester hours of credit attempted. For example, if a student earned a C (2.0) and a B (3.0) in each of two three–hour courses, first multiply the number of hours in each course by the grade point value for that grade (3 x 2 = 6 and 3 x 3 = 9) and add the grade points for each course together to find the total number of grade points (15). Then add the number of hours attempted (3 + 3 = 6) and divide the total number of grade points by the total hours attempted (15/6 = 2.5). The student’s GPA after completing the two classes would be 2.5. A student’s GPA is figured only on credit hours attempted—courses for which the student receives letter grades (A–F), FN (failure, never attended), or FS (failure, stopped attending). FN and FS have the same value as an F. Grades of P (pass) and CR (credit) represent hours earned but are not used to calculate the GPA.

A course for which a grade has been assigned by a faculty member will not be removed from the student’s academic record without approval of the University Review Panel and the instructor (see Policy 12.050, “Student Class Drops and Withdrawals” and the Faculty Handbook).

Graduate-level courses (5000 and higher) may not be taken under the pass/fail option. Additionally, graduate courses cannot be retaken to improve a low grade on the first attempt. All grades received are calculated into the graduate grade point average.

Conferral of either a master’s or doctoral degree requires at least a B (3.0) grade point average (GPA). The GPA in formal coursework is computed separately from the average in research, thesis, and dissertation credits to determine eligibility for graduation. A GPA of at least B (3.0) is required in each category. No grade below C (2.0) can be used to satisfy any degree or certificate requirement. Departments may establish more rigorous standards.

All graduate students are expected to maintain at least an overall B (3.00) GPA on a continuing basis. Should you achieve less than an overall B (3.00) GPA, the office of the dean of the college in which you are enrolled will solicit a written statement from your departmental graduate committee to justify your continuation in the program.

Credit Only—Included in Hours Earned but Not Used in GPA Calculation

 No Credit–Not Included in Hours Earned and Not Used in GPA Calculation

Removal of FN or FS from the record (treating the course, for tuition and grade purposes, as though it had been dropped by Friday of the second week of the term or Friday of the first week of the subterm) requires action by the late course withdrawal review panel.

You can register to audit classes, which allows you to preview or review courses without receiving a grade or credit hours, but the choice to audit must be made and identified at the time of registration. Changes from audit to credit or from credit to audit may be made through the Friday of the second week of the semester (Friday of the first week of summer session). Classes taken for audit count in calculating tuition, but they do not carry credit or count toward financial aid eligibility. Audited courses will appear on your official transcript but will not affect your GPA or hours earned. Auditing a class is not the same as taking it on a pass/fail basis. (See Pass–Fail Grading Option, later in this section.)

Your instructor may set up specific requirements for auditing a course, and if you do not meet the requirements, you may be removed from the class, at the instructor’s discretion, with a grade of WP or WF. Be sure to discuss your auditing status with the instructor at the first class meeting.

Courses taken for audit do not fulfill registration requirements for graduate appointments.

The instructor assigned to a class has full responsibility for grading, subject to the appeal process described in this section. A student may appeal a grade through the chairperson of the department to the dean of the college, provided that a concerted effort was made by the student to resolve the matter with the instructor. The burden of proof for a grade change is on the student, except in those cases involving charges of academic dishonesty. If the dean concludes that the student has insufficient grounds for an appeal, there can be no further appeal by the student. If the dean concludes that sufficient grounds do exist for an appeal, the dean shall appoint a faculty committee of five members, including the chairperson of the department or director of the school in question, to consider the case. If a majority on the committee decides that the grade should be changed and the instructor does not accept the recommendation, the committee can authorize the registrar to change the grade. The decision of the committee is not subject to further appeal. In appeal cases in which the chairperson is the instructor, the dean is authorized to appoint an alternative member from the same department to the committee; if the dean is the instructor, the role of dean will be assumed by the provost. In appeal cases involving courses taught by faculty from more than one college, the dean of University College will review the appeal and, if necessary, appoint the appeals committee. In these cases, the appeals committee shall include the additional chairperson(s). In unusual circumstances (e.g., death, incapacity, or indefinite accessibility of the instructor), the departmental chairperson is responsible for the final grade, subject to appeal by the student to the dean as described in this section.

Complete information on the rights and responsibilities of students and faculty relative to grade appeals is available at the Office of the Ombudsman (ombuds@ohio.edu), Baker University Center 501, 593.2627. The office can also assist you with understanding the grade appeals process or in preparing a grade appeal(s). The office will be of greatest assistance if you make contact early in the process.

Consistent with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, all of Ohio University’s policies and practices governing the collection, maintenance, review, and release of student records will be based upon the principles of confidentiality and your individual right to privacy. The specific policy is detailed at www.ohio.edu/policy/12-020.html.

Students may order official transcripts in one of the these types:
1.    Comprehensive transcript, showing all coursework at Ohio University
2.    Undergraduate transcript only
3.    Graduate (master’s and Ph.D.) transcript only
4.    Medical transcript only

There is a fee charged for each requested transcript. Transcripts may be ordered online, by mail with a signed letter of request including payment by check or credit card, by signed FAX with payment by credit card, or in person at the Office of the University Registrar. The student is required to provide his/her signature authorizing release of his/her transcript. Online orders may be “automatically authorized” without the student’s signature. To find out more about the various processing, application, and delivery options available and to obtain a transcript request form, visit Registrar Services in Chubb Hall, go to the registrar’s Web site at www.ohio.edu/registrar/transcri.cfm, phone the Registrar’s Office, 740.593.4206, or send e-mail to transcripts@ohio.edu.

To obtain a replacement diploma, provide a notarized affidavit attesting that the original diploma has been lost or destroyed, or verification of a name change, to the registrar’s office along with a request for a new diploma. In the case of a name change, you also must return the original diploma. Instructions for verifying a name change are available from the registrar’s office. There is a replacement fee. Visit www.ohio.edu/registrar/grd.cfm for more details.

The replacement diploma will be the same size as the current diploma, carry current titles and signatures of University officers and the notation “official replacement.” Allow four to six weeks for delivery.

Registration policies and procedures are available online at www.ohio.edu/registrar, the Registrar’s web site.

In order to register, you must sign in to My OHIO Portal using your OHIO ID and password. Click on the Academics tab to:

•    View your DARS to identify courses to complete,
•    Search course offerings for desired sections (identify the Class number for each section for which you plan to register), and
•    Enroll in classes.

You must be registered for a minimum of one graduate credit in any semester in which you receive any service from the University or use its facilities, and the semester in which you will graduate. Doctoral students must be enrolled for a minimum of two credit hours for the term in which they will take their scholarly discipline examination.  For additional information, check with your academic college Dean’s office. 

If you have completed all degree requirements prior to the start of the first day of classes in the term you will officially graduate you do not have to register for that term if you meet the following conditions:

1.    you have enrolled in all required coursework,
2.    you have completed all final projects and deposited the final copy of the thesis or dissertation, and
3.    you have removed all incompletes.

If you have attended Ohio University previously and wish to re-enroll, complete an Application for Re-Enrollment www.ohio.edu/graduate/apply/reenroll.cfm.

Former students whose admission status has expired through time limits must apply for a time extension, or reapply for admission. Students whose admission status has expired due to graduation must apply to a new degree or non-degree program.

To receive full veterans benefits, you must register for at least nine semester hours of graduate work. For more information about veterans’ benefits, contact the Veterans Coordinator, Office of the University Registrar, Chubb Hall 115K, 740-593-4186.

To comply with immigration regulations, international students (F-1 or J-1 status) must register as full-time graduate students (nine hours per semester maintains full-time status). Students must not drop any courses that would bring them below full-time status, register late, or withdraw from all classes without having the prior approval of an advisor in the Office of International Student and Faculty Services (ISFS).

Your advisor or graduate chair, with the approval of the dean, may request that the Graduate College cancel your registration because of poor academic performance, failure to meet course prerequisites, falsified signatures, failure to provide final transcripts, or other violations of University policy.

Registration is not permitted after the Friday of the second week of the semester (in the case of some individual classes, after the first day). All registration procedures should be completed by the Friday of the second week of the semester.

In cases where late registration is necessary, you will be charged a retroactive registration correction fee beginning the day after the Friday of the second week of the semester, unless late changes are the result of University delays as judged by the registrar. The fees are: third week, $40; fourth week, $60; fifth week, $80; and sixth week, $100.

Graduate students enrolling for nine or more credit are assessed full-time fee. Students with graduate appointments are required to register for a minimum of 12 or 15 graduate hours, as described in the Financial Aid section of this catalog. 

Students enrolled in a degree program who do not expect to make progress toward their degree for a period of time due to personal, medical, or professional reasons may request a leave of absence from a degree program. Students on an approved leave of absence may not make significant use of university resources and services or engage in significant consultation with the faculty.

To request a leave of absence, a student shall submit to the departmental graduate chair or director of graduate studies a written request stating the reason for the leave and expected duration of the leave. All foreseeable leaves of absence must be requested prior to leaving the campus. Each program or department will establish a process for reviewing and approving leaves of absence requests. Departments should also have in place a plan to address any incompletes at the time leave is undertaken. Approved leaves will be documented for the student in writing, with a copy forwarded to the college office and the Graduate College for recording in the student’s file.

It is the responsibility of the student to resolve all issues pertaining to financial support, federal financial aid, and any outstanding debt to the University prior to a leave of absence. Prior to the completion of the leave of absence, the student must notify the departmental graduate chair or director of graduate studies so that the reentry process can be initiated.

To be eligible for a leave of absence, a graduate student must not have received an extension of the time limit for the degree. A leave of absence will not extend the time limit for completion of a degree (six calendar years for master’s degrees of less than 40 hours; seven calendar years for master’s degrees of 40 or more hours and doctoral degrees).

A student who does not return and register in the degree program at the conclusion of an approved leave of absence is considered dropped from the program.

International students in F-1 or J-1 nonimmigrant status must also obtain authorization from International Student and Faculty Services prior to the initiation of a leave of absence and before returning to campus to ensure compliance with current SEVIS regulations and visa restrictions.

Requesting a leave of absence will ensure that your academic program is aware of your plans. It also provides confirmation for third parties of your status as a student on an approved leave.

Registration Change Procedures

Changing Your Class Schedule After Classes Begin

Note the terminology used in explanations of the deadlines that follow:

Semester: any semester, including the 14-week summer semester

Session: any seven-week summer session

In the case of flexibly scheduled classes (classes that meet for fewer days than a semester or session), the deadlines are prorated. Contact the Office of the University Registrar for deadline dates.

You may add a class, drop a class, or correct your registration by accessing My OHIO before the semester or subterm begins. However, adding certain classes after classes begin requires special permission from the instructor and is prohibited after the Friday of the second week of the term. Dropping any class after the Friday of the tenth week or the 14-week term of the last instructional day of the fifth week of the seven-week summer term is prohibited except by petition through the Graduate College. (See “Drops” below.) International students in F–1 or J–1 status considering changes to their class schedule that result in less–than–full–time enrollment (9 credits) must see an advisor in International Student and Faculty Services before processing the changes.

After the Friday of the second week of the term (Friday the first week of the subterm) your schedule becomes official. Your final tuition charges are based on your enrollment as of the deadline.

Adds. You may add a class via My OHIO Student Center only through the Friday of the first week of the term or subterm. However, please note that departments or individual instructors may close registration for their courses prior to Friday of the first week of the semester. After the Friday of the first week and through Friday of the second week of the semester, you may add a class only with instructor permission. For classes requiring the instructor’s permission, you will need to obtain a class permission slip from the instructor or departmental representative and then return the class permission slip to the office indicated for final processing. You may add a class for which you have not met the requisite only by receiving the instructor’s permission to take the class.

Drops. You may use My OHIO Student Center to drop any class except your last class (see Canceling Registration or Withdrawing from the University below) through the Friday of the 2nd week of the 14-week semester or the Friday of the first week of the subterm session. Classes dropped will not appear on the student’s academic record.

If you drop hours through the Friday of the second week of a term (Friday of the first week of a session), you are entitled to a 100 percent refund of the reduction if the change results in a reduction of registration fees, provided you are not dropping all hours (see Canceling Registration or Withdrawing from the University below). Changes made after the deadlines will result in no refund. If you are receiving financial aid, a change in enrollment status might result in your having to repay programs from which you received aid. (See Refund of Fees in the Fees section for more information.)

Withdraws.

You may use My OHIO Student Center to withdraw from any class except your last class (see Canceling Registration or Withdrawing from the University below) after the Friday of the second week of the semester (Friday of the first week of a session) and through the Friday of the tenth week of the semester (last instructional day of the 5th week of the session). However, the classes remain on your academic records with grades of WP (Withdrawn Passing) or WF (Withdrawn Failing), and they continue to be used in the calculation of tuition and fees. WP or WF grades do not affect the student’s grade point average.

After the Friday of the second week of the semester (Friday of the first week of a session), your schedule becomes official. Your final tuition charges are based on your enrollment as of the deadline. If you withdraw from the University or reduce your course load after the deadline, you must still pay the full tuition fees, and your class(es) will remain on your academic record with WP/WF grade(s).

Dropping or withdrawing from a class is prohibited after these deadlines, but under very exceptional circumstances, you may petition your college in writing to make an exception. Your reason must be substantial. Fear of earning a low grade in the class, for example, is not considered to be an exceptional circumstance.

Only in extreme instances in which circumstances beyond your control make you unable to have your registration in order by the end of the Friday of the second week (or Friday of the first week) of the semester/session deadline will the University consider making an exception to this policy. Even then, such decisions are made by a review panel and require that formal documentation, such as a doctor’s statement, be submitted to the Tuition Appeal Review Panel. The student services office in your college can help you present an appeal to the review panel.

Cancelation Before Classes Have Begun. Cancellation of registration is defined as dropping all classes before the first day of classes. This includes all classes for which you are registered on all (one or more) campuses, but not distance learning courses in eLearning OHIO, for which students register and pay separately. You may cancel your registration by accessing My OHIO Student Center, or you may call or visit the registrar’s office or the student services office of your college to obtain a cancellation of registration form, which you then complete and return to the Office of the University Registrar. An adjustment of your registration fees is made according to the schedule in the Refund of Fees section. Canceling registration for a semester does not prevent a student from registering for a future semester. International students in F–1 or J–1 status must see an advisor in International Student and Faculty Services before canceling their registration or withdrawing from the University.

Withdrawing After Classes Have Begun. Withdrawing from the University is defined as dropping all classes on or after the first day of classes and no later than the day before the last day of classes for the semester or session. Note that this means all regular Ohio University classes for which a student is registered for a given semester, whether on one campus or more than one. This does not prevent a student from registering for a future semester. Withdrawal is not permitted on or after the last day of classes. You cannot withdraw from the University using My OHIO Student Center. Apply for withdrawal by completing a withdrawal request form obtained from the student services office of your college or regional campus. When the request has been approved by the college or regional campus student services office and housing, your withdrawal is processed by the Office of the University Registrar, which grants an official withdrawal after determining that all obligations to the University have been met. International students in F–1 or J–1 status must see an advisor in International Student and Faculty Services before canceling their registration or withdrawing from the University.

Withdrawal between the first day of classes and the Friday of the second week of the semester (Friday of the first week of a session) results in an 80 percent tuition refund.

Medical Withdrawal. A withdrawal for medical reasons may result in a medical hold being placed on your records, and, if a hold is placed, to re-enroll you will have to request medical clearance from the appropriate medical director (physician in charge of student health service) or Director of Counseling and Psychological Services. When the clearance is approved, the hold will be released.

Multiple Consecutive Withdrawals.Two or more consecutive withdrawals may be cause for placement of a registration hold on your record by the registrar or your academic dean. A petition to release this hold would be considered by your academic dean.

Tuition Issues

When changes in a student’s registration affect the total registration in a way that changes the amount of tuition, the student will receive the appropriate fee adjustment or pay the appropriate forfeiture for the class(es) dropped, according to the deadlines for those classes, and the tuition for the remaining registration will be recalculated.

Tuition for summer students who schedule a total of 12 or more hours in any combination of summer registration in the full semester or the two sessions will be calculated in the usual way (fewer than 12 hours equal part-time rate, 12–20 hours equal comprehensive rate for undergraduates; fewer than 9 hours equal part-time rate, 9–18 hours equal comprehensive rate for graduate students). When dropping classes affects the total registration for the summer in a way that changes the basis for tuition, the tuition will be recalculated for the remaining registration, and the student will receive the appropriate fee adjustment or pay the appropriate forfeiture for the class(es) dropped, according to the deadlines for those classes.

Your change in enrollment status might result in your having to repay programs from which you have received financial aid. See the Fees and Financial Aid sections for further information.

Tuition Appeals.

A student who withdraws during the semester may be eligible and may petition for a tuition adjustment if exceptional circumstances exist. You should consult with the student services office of your college or regional campus to determine if you may be eligible for a tuition adjustment. To request an adjustment you must complete a Tuition Appeal Form and, in the case of a withdrawal for medical reasons, have your physician or other service provider complete the Medical Documentation form. A tuition/fee adjustment, if applicable, will be based on the information you submitted with the Tuition Appeal form and your class attendance record.

Completed tuition appeals and, if applicable, medical documentation forms should be submitted to the student services office of your college or regional campus. Additional information and forms required for the tuition appeal are available online at www.ohio.edu/apaa/appeals.cfm.

To be eligible for transfer, courses must be

1.    Designated as graduate credit at the institution where taken,
2.    Letter graded B or better,
3.    Earned within the past five years,
4.    Applicable toward a graduate degree at the institution where taken, and
5.    Earned in courses taught by members of that institution’s graduate faculty.

Credits requested for transfer cannot have been used to satisfy requirements for completion of another degree. Courses equivalent to those at Ohio University cannot be transferred for credit and also be taken for credit at Ohio University. Credit is not accepted for courses taken by correspondence.

Any request for transfer of credit must be recommended by your advisor and departmental graduate committee before final review and acceptance by your dean’s office. No letter grades will appear on your Ohio University transcript for transferred courses, nor will they be calculated in your GPA. Only courses counting toward an Ohio University degree are eligible to appear on the Ohio University transcript as transfer credit.

Transfer Credit Limit: 

A maximum of 8 (semester) credit hours may be transferred from an accredited university to a Master’s degree program of 30 hours at Ohio University. For Master’s degree programs longer than 30 hours, no more than 25 percent of the total graded coursework requirements may be transferred to the degree program. Master’s degree programs in the Center for International Studies may allow transfer of credit for less commonly taught languages as outlined in the Center’s program description. There is no set limit to the number of credit hours which may be transferred for doctoral degrees.

Students who enter Ohio University with post-baccalaureate degrees granted by another accredited university will receive graduate credit hours per State of Ohio subsidy requirements. This is reflected on the Degree Audit Report (DARS) as Grad Mass hours. Master’s equivalent degrees are credited as 34 Grad Mass hours. Doctoral equivalent degrees are credited as 80 Grad Mass hours.

The weight given to class attendance in determining your grade is an academic matter; thus, all instructors are responsible for their own attendance policies. Though your instructor will state specific attendance requirements during the first week of classes each semester, the University does expect you to attend classes regularly.

Excused Absences. Although instructors’ policies govern how excused absences will be handled in their classes, certain absences are considered legitimate by the University. These include illness, death in the immediate family, religious observance, jury duty, and involvement in University-sponsored activities.

If you are returning to class after a legitimate absence, you can expect your instructors’ assistance (makeup work, excused absences, recalculation of the student’s grade based on remaining work) within the limits of their established attendance policies. There are occasions when the size or the nature of the course makes it necessary to limit the number of excused absences or the availability of makeup work, particularly for examinations or such special events as field trips or outside speakers. Such limitations should be explained in the instructor’s attendance policy at the beginning of each course. If you are involved in University activities that may conflict with your class schedule, check with your instructor as early as possible to make satisfactory arrangements. You may document reasons for your absence as follows:

If you are participating in an authorized University activity (departmental trip, music or debate activity, ROTC function, or athletic competition), you can obtain notification from the sponsoring office. If you are hospitalized at O’Bleness Memorial Hospital, you are not issued a notification of class absence. However, you may request that your instructor call the Student Health Service to verify your hospitalization. If you receive outpatient care at the Student Health Service, you will not be issued a notification of class absence. However, if you give written permission for the information to be released, you may request that your instructor call for verification that you received outpatient care. It is assumed that, whenever possible, you will visit the health service as an outpatient without missing class.

If you receive medical care from personnel or facilities other than the Student Health Service, you are required to provide verification of the dates you received care.

If your grade has been affected by a legitimate absence or absences that your instructor does not excuse, you may appeal through the normal grade appeal process (first through the instructor, then the department chair or school director, and then the dean of your college). If satisfaction is not achieved through this process, the dean will appoint a faculty committee of five members, including the chair or director of the department or school in question, to consider your case and render a decision. The decision of this committee is not subject to further appeal.

Dropping Nonattending Students. If you miss the first two meetings of a class where the meetings are fewer than 80 minutes or the first meeting of a class where the meeting is 80 minutes or longer, the instructor has the option of not admitting you to the class whether or not you are registered for it. If you miss the first two meetings (or first meeting if 80 minutes or longer), check with your instructor to verify your status in the class. If you have not been admitted, you will need to drop the class by accessing My OHIO Student Center.

Note: If the instructor does not admit you to the class, you still must drop the class from your schedule by accessing My OHIO Student Center. Otherwise, you will receive an F, an FN (failure never attended), or an FS (failure stopped attending) for the class at the end of the semester.

The academic calendar is available online at  www.ohio.edu/registrar/calendar.cfm.

You must be a registered student or approved under the 60–Plus Program in order to attend classes at Ohio University. If you are a full–time student, you also have the privilege of visiting classes for which you have not registered specifically if you obtain the instructor’s permission ahead of time.

Observation and evaluation of any classroom (including online) by any observer or evaluator requires prior notification and mutual agreement of the class instructor and the observer or evaluator and notification of all students in the class. Recording of classroom activities by any electronic means, by students, other faculty, University administrators, or others, requires permission of the instructor. All students in a class must be informed if permission has been given for a class to be recorded.

As a degree candidate, you must either (a) meet the requirements set forth in the Graduate Catalog at the time of your initial registration in a graduate degree program, or (b) should you choose to follow the requirements of a later catalog, meet those requirements in their entirety. In the event of program changes, departments are expected to make appropriate adjustments to allow you to fulfill the requirements of the initial program of study. When readmitted, you are expected to meet the current requirements of the degree (not the requirements when you first matriculated).

Adding a new degree program requires submission of a new application for review by the academic program to which you are seeking admission.

Adding a certificate requires submission of an Update of Program form, available in the student services office of your college. Completed forms must be submitted to the Graduate College for processing.

International students must meet with an advisor in ISFS to have a new visa document issued prior to registering for a new major or program or starting a new degree level.

You must report any changes in your personal data to the Office of the University Registrar. This includes changes in name, Social Security number, and birth date. Requests for changes/corrections in name, Social Security number, or birth date must be accompanied by documentation verifying the correct information as required by the registrar’s office. These requests should be sent to Registrar Services, first floor, Chubb Hall.

Address, telephone number, cell phone number, and emergency contact information can be updated online by accessing My OHIO Student Center (which may be accessed from

My OHIO portal - Academics tab).

NOTE: International students in F–1 or J–1 status are required to use My OHIO Student Center to update their addresses with Ohio University to meet immigration reporting requirements.  For details, contact the Office of International Student and Faculty Services (ISFS), (740) 593-4330.

International students holding Graduate Appointments must report official Social Security numbers to University Payroll as soon as the number is assigned.

You are responsible for any University communication sent to you at your official University e–mail address and/or mailing address on file with the Office of the University Registrar.

Please note that, as a student, if you provide the University with a cell phone number (public or private) and you are an Athens campus student, you will be subscribed automatically to the emergency communication system. Athens campus students should watch their emails for additional information, including how to opt out. If you are a regional campus student, please check with your regional campus student services office for available signup for emergency communications.

When you register, you will be given information about obtaining an identification card. ID Cards can be obtained/replaced at the Technology Depot, Baker University Center 112. This card, which is validated by your registration, gives you access to campus services, including meal plans, athletic events, library privileges, Ping center, Bird Arena, and Campus Care.

The card is issued free of charge according to these guidelines:

1.    If you are a new student, you are issued a card free of charge.

2.    If you are a re–enrolling student returning after one year or more, your old card will be valid upon registration. If you no longer have your old card, you will be issued a new card free of charge.

3.    If your name or Social Security number has changed, you will be issued a new card free of charge, provided you return your old card when the new one is issued.

Ohio University charges a card–replacement fee under these circumstances:

1.    You will be charged $10 to replace a card that is lost, stolen, or damaged within one year of your last term of enrollment. (A $5 refund will be issued if you find your old card and return it to the Technology Depot during the semester in which it was replaced.)

2.    If your name or Social Security number has changed, you will be charged $10 for a new card, only if you do not return the old card. If you return the old card when the new one is issued, you will not be charged.

Instructions for activating your free Ohio University email account are available on the Office of Information Technology website at www.ohio.edu/technology/ids/activate.cfm.

It is imperative that you know your University OHIO ID and password, as many Ohio University services use this to authenticate access.

Your OHIO account includes the following features:

Free software
Spam and virus filtering
Web–based access
Network file storage
Personal Web page capabilities

Please check your University email regularly for official University correspondence. Notifications of grades, schedules, and billings are sent to your University email address. Many Ohio University departments and professors depend on your University email for both announcements and assignments. We do not recommend forwarding your University email account.

To learn more, visit www.ohio.edu/oit/email/exchange/

If you have problems accessing your email or have questions, call the OIT Service Desk, 740.593.1222 or submit a request online at www.ohio.edu/oitech/.

The Student Code of Conduct (www.ohio.edu/communitystandards) prohibits all forms of academic misconduct. Academic misconduct refers to dishonesty or deception in fulfilling academic requirements. Academic misconduct includes:

    Cheating

    Plagiarism

    Unpermitted collaboration

    Forged attendance (when attendance is required)

    Fabrication (e.g., use of invented information or falsification of research or other findings)

    Using advantages not approved by the instructor (e.g., unauthorized review of a copy of an exam ahead of time)

    Knowingly permitting another student to plagiarize or cheat from one’s work

    Submitting the same assignment in a different course without consent of the instructor

Note: An instructor may impose a grade penalty for academic misconduct and/or file a student conduct referral.

In cases of academic misconduct, a faculty member has the authority to administer a failing grade. If an instructor who has accused you of plagiarism lowers your course grade, you may appeal this grade first through the instructor, then the department chair or school director, and then the dean of your college. In cases of academic misconduct both the student and teacher must document their allegations and refutations in writing, including any supporting material (e.g. copies of the student’s work, copies of other materials used but not referenced in the student’s work, etc.) relevant to the case. Such written evidence will be reviewed in accordance with the grade appeal process followed by the college or unit.

The faculty member also has the discretion to refer your case to the director of the Office of Community Standards and Student Responsibility. A student or student organization found to have violated the academic misconduct offense will be subject to the full range of sanctions including reprimand, disciplinary probation, suspension, or expulsion from Ohio University.

Please note that the Office of Community Standards and Student Responsibility does not have the authority to modify a grade given by a faculty member.

If you wish to appeal the decision of the Office of Community Standards and Student Responsibility, such as suspension or expulsion, you can take the matter to the university appeal board. Details of appeal procedures are included in the Student Code of Conduct online at www.ohio.edu/communitystandards.

Further information on academic misconduct is available from the Office of Community Standards and Student Responsibility.

Degree Revocation Academic honesty is a core value of Ohio University. Degrees awarded may be revoked by the President of Ohio University in accordance with Ohio University’s policies and procedures.

The University intellectual property policy is defined by Ohio University Policy and Procedure 17.001. In accordance with state law (Section 3345.44, Ohio Revised Code), patentable inventions created by Ohio University faculty, staff, and students are the property of the University if the work was supported by University funds or performed in University controlled facilities. Computer software and databases are the property of the University if created as part of University-assigned duties. The policy provides for a generous sharing of any royalties among the inventors and the relevant University units, departments, and colleges. Students are encouraged to read the complete policy and procedures on the Web at www.ohio.edu/policy/17-001.html or contact the Technology Transfer Office, 20 E. Circle Drive, Suite 190, telephone 740.593.1818.

The investigator in any research involving human subjects at Ohio University is expected to conduct any and all such experiments in compliance with Ohio University Policy and Procedure 19.052.

In summary, this policy applies to research investigations involving human subjects conducted by faculty, staff, or students at or under the auspices of Ohio University. Studies that require review include everything from clinical trials to surveys, interviews, and observation.

The purpose of the policy is to protect the rights and personal privacy of individuals, to assure a favorable climate for the conduct of scientific inquiry, and to protect the interests of Ohio University. Ohio University’s policy on research involving human subjects is in compliance with the requirements set forth in the National Research Act (P.L. 93-348) and the regulations on public welfare set forth in Part 46 of Title 45 of the Code of Federal Regulations (45 CFR 46).

For details concerning the scope and purpose of this policy and for information concerning procedures, see the Ohio University Policy and Procedures Manual or contact the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs: www.ohio.edu/research/compliance/human-subjects.cfm

You must apply for graduation through the Registrar’s Office and pay the graduation fee by the date indicated in the University calendar. Apply for graduation online at www.ohio.edu/registrar. If you fail to meet graduation requirements in that semester, you must reapply for graduation and pay the graduation reapplication fee by the date indicated in the University calendar for the semester in which you will meet graduation requirements. Questions about applying for graduation may be sent to graduation@ohio.edu. You must submit all work to be applied toward meeting degree requirements no later than the last day of classes of the semester in which you expect to graduate. Additional deadlines to be met by students writing theses or dissertations are available in the office of the dean of the college in which you are enrolled.

The annual commencement is held at the close of spring semester. Master’s and doctoral degree recipients from the preceding fall and summer semesters are invited to attend, along with spring semester candidates. Doctoral candidates and their faculty escorts are also invited to participate in the hooding ceremony during commencement. Registration details are sent via e-mail each spring prior to the ceremony. All spring doctoral candidates must be approved for graduation by their college dean before they may participate in the hooding ceremony.

Academic attire with appropriate hoods is worn by candidates at the commencement exercises. Details for purchasing academic attire are available on the commencement web page: www.ohio.edu/commencement.

Ohio University recognizes the human dignity of each member of the Ohio University community and believes each member has a responsibility to promote respect and dignity for others. The University strives to foster an academic, work and living environment that is free from harassment. The University’s goal is to provide an environment where students, faculty, and staff can thrive, and that is welcoming, and free of fear.

Ohio University will make its educational programs and employment opportunities equitably available to students and employees without discrimination on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, gender, gender identity or expression, mental or physical disability, or veteran status. Harassment is a form of discrimination and, therefore, harassment directed toward an individual or group, or experienced by an individual or group, violates this policy.  

Harassment is defined as any conduct directed toward an individual or group based on one or more of the categories listed above and severe enough so as to deny or limit a person’s ability to participate in or fully benefit from the University’s educational and employment environments, or activities, or severe enough that it creates an intimidating, offensive, or hostile environment.

For more information about Ohio University’s policies prohibiting discrimination and sexual harassment, and for a description of Ohio University’s grievance procedures, please visit the Web page for the Office for Institutional Equity at www.ohio.edu/equity.

Various state and federal laws require Ohio University to provide information and notice to students on a variety of topics. In addition, Ohio University occasionally develops statements or policies on important matters and distributes them to all students. Below is a listing of official notifications that are currently provided to students.

Notices on these topics are provided via email to all registered students as of the deadline for registration in each academic semester. Email is sent to each student’s official University email address. These notices are routinely available at the University’s website at: www.ohio.edu/notifications/.

Further, it is a student’s responsibility to know and follow current requirements and procedures at the department, school, college, and University levels, including those described in the University’s Undergraduate Catalog, Graduate Catalog, Guide for Residential Living, and University Policy and Procedures. All students are subject to the rules of behavior as outlined in the Student Code of Conduct.

•    Student Code of Conduct

•    University Regulations Regarding Concealed Gun Law

•    Consequences for Involvement in Civil Disturbance 

•    Graduation/Transfer–Out Rates (Student Right to Know Act of 1990)

•    Crime Awareness and Campus Security (Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act)

•    Drugs and Alcohol (Drug–Free School and Community Act of 1989)

•    Convictions for Certain Riot–related and Sexual Assault Offenses (Ohio House Bill 95)

•    Campus Disruption (Ohio House Bill 1219)

•    Voter Registration (Voter Registration Provision in Higher Education Amendments of 1998)

•    Student Privacy (The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 or FERPA)

•    Copyright Infringement and the Internet

•    Emergency Closing of the University

•    Statement on Hate–Motivated Behavior

•    Statement on Sexual Assault

Questions regarding notifications can be addressed to:

Office of the Dean of Students

Baker University Center 345

740.593.1800
deanstu@ohio.edu.