Academic Policies and Procedures

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

• Orientation, Bobcat Student
• Alcohol/Sexual Assault Education
• Registration Information
• Enrollment Information
• Transfer Credit
• Grading Information
• Academic Status
• Student Records Information

Orientation, Bobcat Student

Athens Campus

All incoming first–year and transfer students on the Athens campus of Ohio University are required to participate in Bobcat Student Orientation to get acclimated to campus. They meet with faculty, administrators, and other students who inform them about University policies, academic requirements, and student services, as well as help them register for their first semester of classes. Orientation sessions for students entering fall semester are held in the summer, with each group coming to campus for a 1.5-day program. Information regarding this program is mailed in the spring to incoming students. Parents, guardians, families, and guests are encouraged to attend.

For students entering the University in a semester other than fall, a mandatory orientation and registration program will be conducted before the beginning of that semester. Information will be sent from Bobcat Student Orientation.

Further information about Bobcat Student Orientation is available from the Office of First-Year & Student Transitions, 740.593.1951, or by visiting their website.

Regional Campuses

Students attending a regional campus will participate in an orientation session specific to their campus. Further information about regional campus orientation is available from the appropriate regional campus. Please check the website for the appropriate regional campus.

Online Students

Students completing online learning at OHIO are required to complete an online orientation module.

Alcohol/Sexual Assault Education

Athens Campus

All students who have earned fewer than 30 credit hours must complete Alcohol Edu for First Year Students and Sexual Assault Prevention for Undergraduates. Detailed information about these courses will be provided at Bobcat Student Orientation. Failure to successfully complete these online courses will prevent registration for classes for future semesters.

Regional Campus

If you are relocating to the Athens campus from a regional campus of Ohio University and have fewer than 30 credit hours, you must take the courses.

Additional information about AlcoholEdu and Sexual Assault Prevention is available from the Health Promotion at Baker University Center 339, 740.593.4007, or healthpromotion@ohio.edu. 

Registration Information

Registration

As noted above under Bobcat Student Orientation, if you are an incoming first–year or transfer student, you will receive assistance with registering for classes, along with other information during orientation.

Continuing students are required to meet with their academic advisors prior to registering. All continuing undergraduate students will have an academic advising registration hold placed on their record and to register for an upcoming semester, the student must meet with their academic advisor to have their hold released. Students may register during the priority registration period, where each student is assigned an enrollment appointment time at which point the student may register (or any time after that time), provided their advising hold has been released and no other holds exist that prevent registration. It is recommended that you contact your advisor in advance of your enrollment appointment time to schedule an advising appointment. If you are pursuing more than one major then the hold must be released for each major in advance of registering.

If you take a fall or spring semester off from classes then you are considered a Re-enrolling student. Re-enrolling students should visit the University Registrar web page at: www.ohio.edu/registrar/register#re-enrolling or contact the Office of the University Registrar, 740.593.4191.

If you are a continuing or re-enrolling student at Ohio University, you should follow procedures for using the registration system. The procedures are available online at: www.ohio.edu/registrar/how-register.

Ohio University is committed to our veterans and military affiliated students. We fully comply with the Veterans Benefits Transition Act of 2018 and no adverse actions (late fees, denial of access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities) will be taken against students who receive Veterans Educational Benefits due to late payments by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Furthermore, a covered individual will not be required to borrow additional funds because of the individual’s inability to meet his or her financial obligations to the institution due to the delayed disbursement of a payment to be provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs.*

*Text added on 9/27/23 due to a requirement from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Late Registration

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) for classes that meet the full semester. 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 determined by the university registrar. The fine is $150.

OHIO Identification Card

During the orientation process you will be given information about obtaining an Ohio University identification card. On the Athens Campus, ID cards can be obtained and replaced at the Bobcat Depot, Baker University Center 112. Each regional campus also has a designated site for issuing ID Cards, typically in their IT or Student Services area. Contact your specific campus for more information.

This card, which is validated by your registration, gives you access to campus services, including your meal plan, Bobcat Cash account, the exterior doors to your residence hall, recreation facilities, athletic events, library privileges, printing services, and Campus Care. 

Lost cards should be deactivated immediately to ensure the lost card is not used to access your residence hall, meal plan, or debit accounts. 

The initial card is issued free of charge. Cards that need to be reissued due to a change in legal name, preferred name, or PID number will be issued free of charge, provided you return your old card when the new one is issued. Lost or damaged cards will be subject to a replacement fee. A re-enrolling student who was previously issued an ID card will be charged a lost card fee if a new card is required due to loss of the original card.

Ohio University ID card replacement fees are:

• Lost or stolen card: $12
• Replacement of damaged card: $5

Email (your University account)

Please check your Catmail (login required) 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 recommend that you do not forward your University email account to another email address; doing so may result in not receiving important messages from the University.

If you receive an email that appears suspicious, you can visit the Phish Bowl or forward the email to security@ohio.edu to verify if it is a hacking attempt.

If you have problems accessing your email or have questions, view email help information or visit help.ohio.edu to submit a ticket or to contact the IT Service Desk.

Multi-Factor Authentication

After you enroll in classes, you will set up multi-factor authentication. With multi-factor authentication, you’ll be prompted to verify your log-in on your phone when you access any online application requiring your OHIO email and password. This way, if your password is compromised, you’ll be alerted if someone is trying to log in as you. All students are required to enroll in multi-factor authentication to protect sensitive information from security threats.

Updating Personal Information

You must report any changes in your personal data to the Office of the University Registrar. This includes changes in legal 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, Athens, OH 45701 or fax to: 740.593.0216.

Preferred name and pronoun(s) may be reported and updated online by accessing MyOHIO Student Center. Your preferred name will be used in lieu of your legal name wherever the legal name is not required. For example, your preferred name will be used in the learning management system, on faculty class rosters, on DARS, on advisee lists, and in the online directory. For more information, please visit www.ohio.edu/registrar/preferred-names-faq. Your pronoun(s) may be reported so others do not need to make assumptions about your gender identity.

Address, telephone number, cell phone number, and emergency contact information can be updated online by accessing MyOHIO Student Center. NOTE: International students in F–1 or J–1 status are required to use MyOHIO Student Center to update their addresses with Ohio University to meet immigration reporting requirements. 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. If you are a regional campus student, please check with your regional campus student services office about emergency communications.

Effective Fall Semester 2023-24: If you are not living in University housing, you are required to update or confirm your current living address each semester. You will be prompted to update or confirm this address in advance of each semester and you are expected to keep this address current if you move during the semester. For more information, please see official University Policy 12.022 Student Address.

Effective Fall Semester 2023-24: All students are required to confirm or update their emergency contact(s) name and phone number each semester. You will be prompted to update or confirm this information in advance of each semester. You may update it at any time. For more information, please see official University Policy 12.023 Student Emergency Contact Information. 

Enrollment Information

Course credit earned at Ohio University is designated in semester hours. Normally a semester credit hour will be awarded for a minimum of 750 minutes of formalized instruction that typically requires students to work on out-of-class assignments an average of twice the amount of time as the amount of formalized instruction (1,500 minutes). It is acknowledged that formalized instruction may take place in a variety of modes. One hour of credit shall be awarded for a total of 1,500 minutes laboratory instructional time.

Student Standing (Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior)

Your student standing—or year in college—is determined by your total number of semester hours earned. Freshmen have completed 0 to 29.9 hours; sophomores, 30 to 59.9; juniors, 60 to 89.9; and seniors, 90 or more.

Student Enrollment Status

Student enrollment status for undergraduate students is defined as follows:

• Twelve (12.0) semester hours or more = Full-time enrollment
• Nine (9.0) or more hours but fewer than twelve (12.0) = Three-quarter-time enrollment
• Six (6.0) or more hours but fewer than nine (9.0) = Half-time enrollment
• Fewer than six (6.0) semester hours = Less Than Half-time enrollment

Course Load

As an undergraduate student, you will usually carry a course load of 15–20 semester hours, even if you are on academic probation. For tuition purposes, a course load of 12–20 semester hours is assessed full-time comprehensive fees by the University. If you receive financial aid, veterans educational benefits, or are a student athlete, you must carry a minimum of 12 semester hours to be considered eligible. If you are an international student in F–1 or J–1 status, you must enroll for a minimum of 12 semester credit hours to meet immigration reporting requirements. For most scholarships, you must enroll for and earn a minimum of 15 semester hours. Note that completing 15 hours per semester for two semesters per year for four years makes a total of 120 semester hours—the minimum total required for a baccalaureate degree from Ohio University.

If you register for fewer than 12 semester credit hours, you will be assessed part–time fees for the semester. If you register for more than 20 hours, you will be charged an additional fee for each hour over 20. The registration system will warn you if you attempt to register for a course that causes the total academic hours to exceed the maximum. You must receive permission from your college student services office or regional campus student services office to register for more than 20 academic hours in a semester. If you are granted permission to exceed the maximum hours, this will be communicated to Registrar Services for processing and final enrollment in the course(s). Please note that if you withdraw from a class after the first two weeks of the semester the course remains on your academic record with a withdrawn grade and you are responsible for paying for it.

Veterans Educational Benefits. If you are an undergraduate student planning to receive veterans education assistance, you must register for at least 12 semester hours for full benefits to be awarded. For more information about veterans benefits, contact:

The Brigadier General James M. Abraham—Colonel Arlene F. Greenfield Veterans and Military Student Services Center
Baker University Center, Suite 350
740.566.VETS (8387)
veteranscenter@ohio.edu

Student Athletes—Maintaining Eligibility. As a student athlete, after your first academic year in residence or after one season of eligibility in a sport, eligibility for competition shall be determined by your academic record in existence at the beginning of the fall semester or at the beginning of any other regular term of that academic year. Eligibility is based on satisfactory completion of at least 24 semester hours of academic credit prior to the start of the athlete’s second year of collegiate enrollment (by the beginning of the third semester). Only six hours may be taken in the summer to satisfy the 24 hour rule. You must earn a minimum of 18 semester hours during all subsequent years of enrollment and hours earned in a summer semester cannot be used to fulfill the 18-hour requirement. Additionally, six semester hours of academic credit must be earned the preceding regular academic semester for which you were enrolled full-time at any collegiate institution.

You must be enrolled in a minimum of 12 semester hours to be eligible for practice or competition. Additionally, students entering their second year of enrollment must maintain a minimum accumulative grade point average of 1.8, students entering their third year of enrollment must maintain a minimum accumulative grade point average of 1.9, and students entering their fourth or subsequent year of enrollment must maintain a minimum accumulative grade point average of 2.0 to be eligible for competition.

You must declare a major by the beginning of your third academic year and have completed at least 40 percent of the specific degree program requirements. By the beginning of your fourth year, 60 percent, and by the beginning of your fifth year, 80 percent of the specific degree program requirements must be met.

Declaring a Major

You may declare a major when you apply as a freshman or transfer student by selecting the program on the application form. If you are undecided about a major, you may enroll as an undecided major in University College  or another college.

Some programs of study have more selective admission requirements than those set by the University in general, and admission to the University does not grant automatic admission into those programs. Consult the college in which the major is offered or the Office of Undergraduate Admissions  for further information on limited or selective admission policies for freshman or transfer students.

Change of College or Program

If you are in an undecided major and wish to declare a major, or if you would like to change your major program, contact the college in which the major program is offered to see if you meet the entry requirements and discuss your plans with a staff person.

Sometimes a change in major program will necessitate changing to another college (e.g., from Arts and Sciences to Fine Arts). You must make application for an update of program in the student services office of the college to which you would like to be admitted. The change must be processed through the student services office by the final Friday before the last day of classes for a semester (the specific date is published in the Official Academic Calendar ), or you will remain enrolled in the initial college for that semester. You must fulfill degree requirements of the college into which you change. Please note the following:

• Honors Tutorial College students should consult with the Honors Tutorial College before applying to the student services office of the college to which the student would like to be accepted.
• International students in F–1 or J–1 status must obtain approval from International Student and Scholar Services before changing their majors.

Double Majors and Dual-Degrees

Students choose a double major or dual (second) degree for a variety of reasons including personal interest in the subject matter, development of knowledge and skills required for further education or for a career, or preparation for graduate or professional school. Talk to your assigned advisor about the feasibility of pursuing a double major or dual degree and to discuss specific requirements.

You may pursue multiple programs simultaneously in one or more colleges. Pursuing multiple majors that lead toward the same degree within the same college is a double (or triple) major. For example, completing a major in accounting and a major in marketing will result in a single degree, the Bachelor of Business Administration. Completing a major in accounting and a major in mathematics (two majors in two colleges) results in two degrees, the Bachelor of Business Administration and the Bachelor of Science and is an example of dual-degrees.

1. To complete requirements for two baccalaureate degrees, you must meet the requirements for both degrees and must complete a total of 135 semester hours of college work, with a minimum of 45 semester hours of residence, or the equivalent, at Ohio University. When the two degrees are offered by different colleges, you must declare a major program in both colleges and meet all of the degree requirements, including the residence requirement, of each major.
2. If you have met the requirements for two degrees, as stated above, and want to have the degrees conferred in successive semesters, you may do so without further credit or residence. For example, one degree may be conferred at the end of one semester and application made for the second degree in a subsequent semester. Alternately, you may have both degrees conferred in the same semester. One diploma is provided for each degree earned.

To declare a second major or dual-degree, contact the college in which the major program is offered to see if you meet the entry requirements and to discuss your plans with a staff person.

Declaring a Minor or Certificate

You may declare a minor or certificate by contacting your college or regional campus student services office. Minors are available to any student pursuing a bachelor’s degree at Ohio University. Certificates are available to students pursuing either an associate’s or bachelor’s degree at Ohio University. Each minor requires a minimum of 15 semester hours and each certificate requires a minimum of 12 semester hours. The detailed requirements for minors and certificates are included in this catalog. 

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. Deadlines to add, drop, and withdraw from individual classes are published in Course Offerings and students may find these deadlines in MyOHIO Student Center by clicking the calendar icon. Contact Registrar Services, first floor, Chubb Hall, 740.593.4495, or registration@ohio.edu for additional information about deadline dates.

You may add a class, drop a class, or correct your registration by accessing MyOHIO Student Center before the semester or session begins. However, adding certain classes after classes begin requires permission from the instructor and is prohibited after the Friday of the second week of the semester. Dropping any class after the Friday of the tenth week of the 14-week semester or the last instructional day of the fifth week of the seven-week summer session is prohibited except by petition through your college’s student services office. (See “Drops” below.) International students in F–1 or J–1 status considering changes to their class schedules that result in less-than-full-time enrollment (12 credits) must see an advisor in International Student and Scholar Services before processing the changes.

Adds. You may add a class via MyOHIO Student Center only through the Friday of the first week of the semester or session. However, please note that departments or individual instructors may close registration for their classes 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. If a student is trying to register for a class and is not able to get into it via the MyOHIO Student Center, they might be able to request permission to get into the class. Generally, they must first attempt to register for the class before requesting permission, after which time they will see a “Request Permission” link. After the student completes the request, the instructor is notified to approve or deny the request. If approved, the student will be notified to finish enrolling using the MyOHIO Student Center. The entire process is online. The process will not bypass waitlists, holds, enrollment appointment times, or other restrictions. You may add a class for which you have not met the requisite only by receiving the instructor’s permission to take the class. More information is available at www.ohio.edu/registrar/class-permission.

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

Drops. You may use MyOHIO Student Center to drop any class except your last class (see “Canceling Registration or Withdrawing from the University” below) through the Friday of the second week of the 14-week semester or the Friday of the first week of the 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 semester (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 MyOHIO 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 fifth week of the session). However, the classes remain on your academic records with grades of WP (Withdrawn Passing), WF (Withdrawn Failing), or WN (Withdrawn Never Attended), and they continue to be used in the calculation of tuition and fees. WP, WF, or WN 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 classes will remain on your academic record with WP, WF, or WN grades.

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 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 or regional campus can help you present an appeal to the review panel.

Canceling Registration or Withdrawing from the University (Dropping All Classes)

Cancellation Before Classes Have Begun. Cancellation of registration is defined as dropping all classes before the first day of classes. This is determined by the earliest start date of any of your classes taken during the session/semester. This includes all classes for which you are registered on all (one or more) campuses. You may cancel your registration by accessing MyOHIO Student Center, or you may call or visit the registrar’s office or the student services office of your college or regional campus to request a cancellation of your registration. An adjustment of your tuition and 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 Scholar 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 earliest start date of any of your classes, and no later than the day before the last day of classes, as determined by the earliest end date of any of your classes, for the semester or session. Note: this includes 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 MyOHIO Student Center. You should contact your college or regional campus student services office to request to withdraw. When the request has been approved by the college or regional campus student services office, you may receive an email to finalize your withdrawal. Once you finalize your withdrawal it will be processed by the Office of the University Registrar, which updates your academic records to reflect the withdrawal. International students in F–1 or J–1 status must see an advisor in International Student and Scholar 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 and fees reduction.

Medical Withdrawal. A withdrawal for medical reasons may result in a registration hold being placed on your records, and, if a hold is placed, to re-enroll you will have to request clearance from the Dean of Students. 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.

Military and Military-Affiliated Students Affected by Deployment or Permanent Change of Station (PCS). When a student, or the parent, spouse, or partner of a student is called to active military duty, or receives a short-notice PCS assignment, it often is not possible for the military or military-affiliated student to have anticipated the effect this has on their enrollment status. Therefore, faculty and staff are encouraged to be as flexible as possible with the students who wish to make arrangements to complete coursework for credit. Please see Policy 12.060 for available options.

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fees will automatically adjust when the class schedule is adjusted. Tuition and fees will not reduce for classes dropped after the stated drop deadline (refer to the Academic Calendar  for drop deadlines or the academic calendar for each class in MyOHIO Student Center).

Your change in enrollment status might affect financial aid eligibility. (See the Fees and Financial Aid  sections for further information.)

Tuition Appeals. A student who withdraws during the semester may be eligible and 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 approved, 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/provost/apfap/appeals-tuition.

Class Attendance Policy

The weight given to class attendance in determining your grade is an academic matter; therefore, all instructors are responsible for their own attendance policies. Although your instructor will state specific attendance requirements during the first week of classes each semester, the University does expect you to attend and participate in 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. Students returning to a class after a legitimate absence can expect their instructor’s assistance within the limits of the instructor’s established attendance policy.

If you are returning to classes after a legitimate absence, you can expect your instructors’ assistance within the limits of their established attendance policies. In cases of legitimate absences—such as illness, death in the immediate family, religious observance, jury duty, involvement in University-sponsored activities—some accommodation (e.g., makeup work, excused absences, change of grade computation) will be arranged subject to previously announced limitations. There are occasions where the size or nature of the course makes it necessary to set limits on the number of excused absences or the availability of makeup work, particularly for exams or special events such as field trips or outside speakers. Such limitations will be explained in the instructor’s statement of attendance policy at the beginning of each course. 

If you are involved in scheduled activities that might conflict with your class schedule, check with your instructor as early as possible to clarify that there will be no conflict with the policy.

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 in the military reserves and reserve training (including reasonable travel time to training locations), a letter from the commander of your military reserve unit showing the date of the absence and the reason for it will serve as prior notification.
• If you receive medical or dental care from OhioHealth O’Bleness Hospital, Ohio University Campus Care, or other health care facilities, you can ask for and receive official notification from the staff at the time of your visit stating you were seen on a particular day, in order to present the instructors of classes necessarily missed for this reason verification of the date(s) and times you received such care. It is your responsibility to request and obtain such notification. 

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 may 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 through MyOHIO Student Center. Note: If the instructor does not admit you to the class, you must drop the class from your schedule through MyOHIO Student Center. Otherwise, you will receive an FN (failure never attended), or an FS (failure stopped attending) for the class at the end of the semester. FN and FS grades count in your GPA the same as F grades (0.0 grade points).

Ohio University Policy 40.003 Interim Reasonable Accommodations of Sincerely Held Religious Beliefs and Practices. You may be absent for up to three days each academic semester to take holidays for reasons of faith or religious or spiritual belief system or participate in organized activities conducted under the auspices of a religious denomination, church, or other religious or spiritual organization. There shall be no academic penalty as a result of a student being absent as permitted in this policy. You shall be provided with alternative accommodations with regard to examinations and other academic requirements missed due to an absence of faith or religious or spiritual belief system, if both of the following apply:

1. Your sincerely held religious belief or practice severely affects the your ability to take an examination or meet an academic requirement.
2. You provide the instructor with written notice of the specific dates for which the you require alternative accommodations not later than fourteen days after the first day of instruction in a particular course.

The instructor shall accept without question the sincerity of your religious or spiritual belief system. An instructor shall keep requests for alternative accommodations confidential. An instructor shall schedule a time and date for an alternative examination, which may be before or after the time and date the examination or other academic requirement was originally scheduled but shall do so without prejudicial effect. Instructors are required to include in each course syllabus a statement regarding this policy, including the general procedure for requesting accommodations. Students may notify Equity and Civil Rights Compliance of any grievance with regard to the implementation of this Policy 40.003.

Auditing

You may register to audit classes, which allows you to preview or review courses without receiving a grade or semester hours. 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 semester hours earned. Audited courses will not count toward any graduation requirements.

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

A student interested in taking a class under the audit grading option should register for the class, then contact the student services office in their college or regional campus student services office (by the Friday of the second week of the semester) to request that a course be taken for audit. A regular grade course may NOT be changed to audit option and audit course may NOT be changed to regular grade option after the Friday of the second week of the semester (Friday of the first week of summer session).

Senior Citizens 60–Plus Program

Ohio State Law (Section 3345.27 of the Ohio Revised Code—House Bill 147—effective March 30, 1999) permits the qualifying student to attend any state college or university without paying “tuition or matriculation” fees. (Course fees, technology fees, laboratory fees, etc., are the responsibility of the student and will not be waived.) This program is available for regular classroom and online undergraduate courses offered on the Athens and regional campuses, and only if space is available in the class. Registration will be processed only after priority registration for other students is completed. “Qualifying student” is defined as “any person who is 60 years of age or older and who has resided in the state for at least one year.” Under this provision, the student has two options:

Option A—Noncredit. The qualifying student who wishes to participate in classes, but not for credit, asks permission of the instructor to sit in on the class. The student should complete the Sixty Plus Program form, obtain appropriate signature(s), and return the form to the Office of the University Registrar or regional campus student services office with proof of age and Ohio residency.

Option B—For Credit. The Option B procedures are for the qualifying student who wishes to earn credit for the tuition-free courses. The academic load under this arrangement for a given term must be less than full time. In addition to being a “qualified student” as described above, the student’s family income must be “less than two hundred percent of the federal poverty guideline, as revised annually by the United States secretary of health and human services in accordance with Section 673 of the ‘Community Services Block Grant Act,’ 95 Stat. 511 (1981) 42 U.S.C.A. 9902, as amended, for a family size equal to the size of the family of the person whose income is being determined.” The student should complete the Sixty Plus Program form and follow the instructions for processing as described on the form.

Sixty Plus Program forms can be obtained at Registrar Services, 1st floor, Chubb Hall or online at www.ohio.edu/registrar/forms.

Visiting

You must be a registered student or approved under the Sixty Plus Program 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.

Classroom Privacy

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 to 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.

Taking Graduate–Level Courses

As an undergraduate student, you are not eligible to take graduate courses (courses numbered 5000 or above) for credit unless you participate in one of the following programs:

Honors Tutorial College (HTC). Students in HTC may complete graduate courses for credit. Graduate courses (courses numbered 5000 or above) will automatically become part of their undergraduate records (transcripts and DARS reports). If the HTC student wants the graduate course(s) to become part of his/her graduate record, he or she must contact the HTC to complete the appropriate application form. This paperwork should be completed prior to the semester in which graduate credit is sought.

OHIO Honors. Students in the OHIO Honors program may take a maximum of three graduate courses during their junior and senior years (i.e., after earning 60 or more semester hours of undergraduate credit). Hours earned in these courses will count toward total hours required for the undergraduate degree only; the grades will be calculated into the undergraduate GPA. Registration in graduate courses requires permission from the instructor. Participation in this option is at the discretion of the department or school. Qualified students can be registered by obtaining permission from the Director of OHIO Honors or his or her designee and submitting the approval form to the registrar’s office for processing.    

Departmental Honors. Students in a recognized departmental honors program may take a maximum of three graduate courses in their major departments/schools during their senior years (i.e., after earning 90 or more semester hours of undergraduate credit). Hours earned in these courses will count toward total hours required for the undergraduate degree only; 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.

Graduate Credit for Seniors. If you are an Ohio University student, or a well–qualified senior attending another university, and within six hours of completing all requirements for a bachelor’s degree, you might be eligible for graduate study as a senior. You must have an overall GPA of at least 2.5 and obtain written permission from the graduate chair of each department/school offering the graduate courses and from your college student services office. Permission to take such courses does not constitute admission to a graduate degree program. If you are admitted as a senior for graduate credit, you will pay undergraduate fees and will not be eligible for graduate assistant or graduate scholarship support. Generally, no more than two graduate courses may be taken in this way, and graduate courses will not fulfill any undergraduate requirements. The graduate credit becomes part of your graduate record only; it does not affect your undergraduate course requirements, hours earned, or GPA.

The Senior for Graduate Credit application should be completed and submitted to the Graduate College prior to the start of the semester for which that status is sought.

Request this option through the Graduate College, 102 Grosvenor, before registering. 

Early Admission to a Graduate Program. Based on superior undergraduate performance, you may qualify for early admission to a graduate degree program. You must have an overall GPA of at least 3.5 and must have completed all undergraduate requirements, except the total credit hour requirements, by the time you enter the graduate degree program. You also must obtain permission from your department/school, the department’s/school’s graduate committee, and the student services office of your undergraduate college. Once admitted, you may enroll in graduate classes for graduate credit. These classes can be used to satisfy both graduate degree requirements and undergraduate total credit hour requirements, but the hours and grades are part of your graduate record only. Apply through the Graduate College, 102 Grosvenor, before registering. If you qualify, you pay graduate fees only and are eligible for graduate assistant or scholarship support.

Students in the Honors Tutorial College also must complete the HTC Combined Degrees form as part of the application for early admission.

Accelerated Graduate Pathways (AGPs). Some exceptionally well-qualified undergraduate students may obtain conditional admission to a graduate program and begin graduate coursework during their undergraduate careers through an Accelerated Graduate Pathway. Each Accelerated Pathway maps a relationship between one or more undergraduate programs of study and a graduate program. In some cases, graduate course credit may be applied to both graduate and undergraduate requirements.

ADMISSION. Students must have completed a minimum of 60 credit hours to be conditionally admitted into a graduate program through an Accelerated Graduate Pathway. A minimum of 75 undergraduate credit hours must be completed before graduate courses may be taken for graduate credit. Individual graduate programs may require a higher minimum number of hours before admission and/or the commencement of graduate coursework.

A minimum accumulative GPA of 3.2, or a minimum accumulative GPA of 3.0 with at least a 3.5 GPA on the most recent 30 hours of coursework, is required for conditional admission to a graduate program through an Accelerated Graduate Pathway. Individual programs may set higher admissions standards.

Each graduate program defines its own additional admission criteria and processes for students applying through an Accelerated Graduate Pathway.

Removal or voluntary withdrawal from an AGP does not prevent a student from applying to begin the graduate program after receiving the bachelor’s degree. Final admission to the graduate program after the bachelor’s degree is conferred is subject to all university-wide policies for graduate admissions. For more information about these policies, see the Graduate Catalog.

EARNING GRADUATE CREDIT. To receive graduate credit for graduate courses taken before completing the bachelor’s degree, students must qualify in at least one of the following ways: meet the criteria for Senior for Graduate Credit; obtain Early Admission to a graduate program; be accepted into an approved program’s Accelerated Graduate Pathway; or be enrolled as a student in the Honors Tutorial College. (HTC students must request graduate credit prior to registering for their graduate courses; otherwise, the graduate courses will be part of their undergraduate record and GPA only). Students who wish to begin taking graduate courses through an AGP must first sign an Advising & Risk Acknowledgement Form. This form certifies that the student understands that taking graduate courses for credit will result in a permanent graduate transcript and that graduate classes will not affect eligibility for the Dean’s List, Graduation with Latin Honors, or undergraduate probation status. It also certifies that the student is responsible for any impact on financial aid eligibility as a result of their course enrollment.

Courses taken for undergraduate credit and courses taken for graduate credit require separate registration processes. The AGP will identify which courses are eligible for graduate credit before completion of the bachelor’s degree. Students with conditional admission to a graduate program through AGP may register for these courses with the permission of the instructor and their AGP advisor.

Students may not earn more than 16 hours of graduate credit prior to the conferral of the bachelor’s degree. This limitation does not apply to HTC students.

DUAL UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE CREDIT. AGPs may allow specific courses taken for graduate credit to also count toward specific undergraduate requirements, including 1) specific undergraduate course requirements; 2) elective hours in the major or college program of study; or 3) the 120-hour minimum university graduation requirement. A maximum of 9 graduate credit hours may be applied to undergraduate degree requirements of any kind.

Only courses listed in the student’s AGP may satisfy requirements for the bachelor’s degree, and these courses apply only to the undergraduate program of study specified in the AGP. If a student changes undergraduate programs to one that is not part of the AGP, it is possible that the graduate courses will count only toward the 120-hour university minimum hours required.

Graduate (5000-level) sections of dual-listed 4000/5000-level classes taken for graduate credit will always appear on undergraduate DARS as a substitute for the 4000-level equivalent. Only the first 9 hours of graduate credit may count toward degree requirements, however.

Graduate credits also satisfying undergraduate requirements will not affect the undergraduate GPA. However, if the undergraduate degree program requires a minimum course grade to satisfy a degree requirement (e.g., B- or better), that minimum applies to graduate courses as well as undergraduate ones.

STANDARDS OF WORK. Undergraduate students earning graduate credit through an AGP must maintain an accumulative GPA of 3.0 in both their undergraduate and graduate coursework. If either the graduate or undergraduate GPA drops below a 3.0, conditional admission to the graduate program will be rescinded and the student will no longer be eligible to earn graduate credit through the AGP. The minimum accumulative graduate GPA applies to any number of attempted credit hours.

(Normal graduate academic probation generally does not apply until a student has attempted 9 hours of graduate courses.)

No course with a grade below C (2.0) may be used to satisfy any graduate degree or certificate requirement. Individual graduate programs, schools, departments, or academic colleges may establish more rigorous standards. Repeating a graduate-level course or taking it again will not remove or replace a grade from a previous attempt.

ENROLLMENT REQUIREMENTS. Students in an AGP are expected to make timely progress toward degree completion. Conditional graduate admission will be rescinded for undergraduate students who fail to earn credit or a PR grade in OHIO courses for three consecutive semesters (including summer). Individual graduate programs, schools, departments, or academic colleges may establish more rigorous standards for continuous enrollment before the completion of the bachelor’s degree (e.g., enrollment each fall and spring).

Students conditionally admitted to a graduate program through an AGP are normally expected to matriculate and enroll in the graduate program after the bachelor’s degree is conferred with the next available admit term (i.e., when students would normally begin the program following regular post-bachelor’s admission). To maintain their admission, they may defer enrollment only with the permission of the graduate program.

Final Examinations

Final examinations for classes are held during a formal period at the end of the academic semester. You are required to take the examinations according to the schedule published by the Office of the University Registrar, which is available online at www.ohio.edu/registrar/final-exam-schedule.

Each final examination is scheduled for two hours. Final examinations are given in the regularly scheduled classroom unless the instructor is giving a combined sections examination. Instructors will notify students in courses having combined sections examinations of the time and location of the classroom where the examination will be given.

If a combined sections examination conflicts with a regularly scheduled examination, the instructor of the combined sections examination will schedule an alternate time with those students affected by the conflict. When a student finds a conflict between two combined sections examinations, the student will report to the instructor in charge of the first of the two as listed in the combined sections final examination schedule before the opening of the examination period. This instructor will plan a special examination for the student. If a student has an additional conflict, the student will report to the instructor in charge of the second of the two courses as listed in the combined sections final examination schedule. The instructor will arrange for an examination in this course at another time during the examination period.

Students will not be required to sit for more than three final examinations in one day. Should a student be scheduled for more than three examinations in one day, the student may seek relief from the instructor with the examination scheduled latest in the day. This process must be initiated and completed by the 13th week of the semester. The instructor will provide an examination for the student at a mutually agreed on time during the examination week.

The final examination for departmental honors work must be taken before the opening of the regular examination period. Consult your departmental honors program coordinator for more information.

Transfer Credit

Institutional Transfer

Institutional Transfer. While all public colleges and universities are required to follow the Ohio Articulation and Transfer Policy, independent colleges and universities in Ohio may or may not participate in the Transfer Policy; therefore, students interested in transferring to independent institutions are encouraged to check with the college or university of their choice regarding transfer agreements.

Conditions for Transfer Admission. Ohio Articulation and Transfer Policy dictates that graduates with associate degrees from Ohio’s public institutions of higher education and a completed, approved Ohio Transfer 36 module of general education requirements shall be admitted to a public institution of higher education in Ohio, provided their cumulative grade-point average is at least 2.0 for all previous college-level courses.

Further, these students shall have admission priority over graduates with an out-of-state associate degree and other transfer students with transferable and/or articulated college credit.

The Policy further clarifies that:

1. Associate degree holders who have not completed the Ohio Transfer 36 from an Ohio public institution of higher education will be eligible for preferential consideration for admission as transfer students as long as the institution’s admission criteria, such as the minimum academic standards, space availability, adherence to deadlines, and payment of fees, are fairly and equally applied to all undergraduate students.
2. In order to encourage completion of the baccalaureate degree, students who are not enrolled in or who have not earned an Associate of Arts (AA) or Associate of Science (AS) degree but have earned 60 semester or 90 quarter hours or more of credit toward a baccalaureate degree with a cumulative grade-point average of at least a 2.0 for all previous college-level courses will be eligible for preferential consideration for admission as transfer students as long as the institution’s admission criteria, such as the minimum academic standards, space availability, adherence to deadlines, and payment of fees, are fairly and equally applied to all undergraduate students.
3. Students who have not earned an associate degree or who have not earned 60 semester or 90 quarter hours of credit with a grade-point average of at least a 2.0 for all previous college-level courses will be eligible for admission as transfer students on a competitive basis.
4. Incoming transfer students admitted to Ohio University shall compete for admission to selective programs, majors, and units on an equal basis with native students.

Admission to Ohio University, however, does not guarantee a transfer student admission to all majors, minors, or fields of concentration.

Once admitted, transfer students shall be subject to the same regulations governing applicability of catalog requirements as native students. Furthermore, transfer students shall be accorded the same class standing and other privileges as native students based on the number of credits earned. Transfer students must complete all residency requirements.

Transfer Probation. Applicants whose cumulative GPA on coursework completed at other postsecondary institutions is below 2.0 can, in some cases, be considered for admission to an Ohio University campus under “Transfer Probation” status.

A transfer student must provide all required documentation for admission, including official transcripts from all previous postsecondary institutions attended, to the Ohio University official responsible for approving transfer probation admission before receiving a decision. Applicants who qualify will not be permitted to register or enroll for classes at Ohio University until all transcripts have been submitted. Applicants cannot be considered for transfer probation status while currently enrolled at another institution.

Final approval for admission is granted by University College. Successful transfer probation applicants will be admitted as an undecided major in University College. 

Applicants with 40 or fewer transfer deficiency points can be considered for transfer probation admission if they meet either condition 1, 2, or 3 as specified below:

1. They have never been dismissed from a postsecondary institution;
2. They have been dismissed from a postsecondary institution only once and at least 12 months have elapsed since that dismissal; or
3. They have been dismissed more than once from any postsecondary institution and at least 24 months have elapsed since the last dismissal.

If an applicant with more than 40 transfer deficiency points has not attended a postsecondary institution for at least four years, he or she can be considered for admission under “Transfer Probation Fresh Start” on a case-by-case basis by regional campus admissions offices, Undergraduate Admissions, and University College. 

A combined 2.0 cumulative GPA must be earned on all courses attempted at Ohio University and all other postsecondary institutions previously attended to move from non-degree transfer probation to regular degree-seeking status.

To be admitted to a regular degree program, students must meet the college and major admission standards for their intended major. Transfer courses successfully completed in accordance with the Ohio Department of Higher Education Transfer and Articulation Policy, for which accredited college-level credit is awarded, will be added to the student’s Ohio University transcript once final admit status is approved. Transfer probation students who do not earn at least a 2.0 GPA each semester while on transfer probation status will be dismissed from the University for a period of at least four years.

Transfer probation students can be dismissed after their first semester at Ohio University if the semester GPA is below 2.0. If dismissed, transfer probation students can be reinstated only if they either have their record adjusted such that it removes the basis for the dismissal decision, or they successfully petition the dean of University College for readmission. Petitions are likely to be successful only under extraordinary circumstances. Students admitted initially under transfer probation must have a 2.0 cumulative GPA on all Ohio University and previous transfer coursework to be eligible to graduate from Ohio University. Transfer probation students must meet all University, college, and major requirements for graduation, including residency requirements.

Options for Receiving Credit

Several methods of receiving Ohio University credit for work previously completed or for general knowledge and experience are available. For further information on any of the following, visit the Transfer Your Credits web page or contact:

University Examiner
Chubb Hall 120
1 Ohio University Drive
Athens OH 45701–2979
740.593.4100

Advanced Placement (AP). The State of Ohio, working with public institutions of higher education, has initiated policies to facilitate the ease of transition from high school to college as well as between and among Ohio’s public colleges and universities. State policy includes:

1. Students obtaining an Advanced Placement (AP) exam score of 3 or above will be awarded the aligned course(s) and credits for the AP exam area(s) successfully completed.
2. General Education courses and credits received will be applied toward graduation and will satisfy a General Education requirement if the course(s) to which the AP area is equivalent fulfill a requirement.
3. If an equivalent course is not available for the AP exam area completed, elective or area credit will be awarded in the appropriate academic discipline and will be applied towards graduation where such elective credit options exist within the academic major.
4. Additional courses or credits may be available when a score of 4 or 5 is obtained. Award of credit for higher score values varies depending on the institution and academic discipline.
5. In academic disciplines containing highly dependent sequences (sciences, technology, engineering, and mathematics—STEM) students are strongly advised to confer with the college/university advising staff to ensure they have the appropriate foundation to be successful in advanced coursework within the sequence.

Scores must be sent directly from the College Board to Undergraduate Admissions.

Detailed information about the AP program is available from high school guidance offices or by contacting the College Board, Box 593, Princeton, NJ 08540.

College Level Examination Program (CLEP). The Ohio Department of Higher Education in collaboration with public institutions of higher education has established policy that guarantees college level credit for students who achieve qualifying CLEP exam scores.

Ohio University will allow credit for satisfactory performance on the CLEP subject matter examinations, provided you take the examinations before you formally enroll in the University. Credit will not be awarded for CLEP exams taken after your enrollment in the University. The University does not award credit for scores achieved on the CLEP general examinations. Policies on credit for test scores are subject to change; check with Undergraduate Admissions for current information.

Detailed information about the CLEP program is available from high school guidance offices or by contacting the College Board, Box 593, Princeton, NJ 08540 or the College Board website.

International Baccalaureate (IB). The State of Ohio has developed a policy granting course credit to a student who has successfully completed an International Baccalaureate diploma program. Ohio University will award up to 9 semester hours of credit for each IB higher level examination graded 5 or above. Credit is not awarded for subsidiary examinations. An official transcript of results received is required for credit consideration. For further information, contact Undergraduate Admissions.

Advanced Subsidiary and Advanced Level (A-Level). Students who have successfully completed Advanced Subsidiary or Advanced Levels (A-Levels) in a British-based curriculum may receive credit based on their exam results. Ohio University considers awarding up to eight semester hours of credit for each A-level examination with a grade of D or higher. Up to four semester hours of credit may be considered for Advanced Subsidiary exams on a course-by-course basis. An official score report and copy of the exam syllabi are required to consider credit transfer.

Project Lead the Way (PLTW). Ohio University will grant college-level credit for secondary school students from certified Project Lead the Way (PLTW) schools who satisfy the necessary requirements. For further information, contact Undergraduate Admissions.

Excelsior College Examinations (ECE). Ohio University will award credit for nursing-based Excelsior College Examinations (ECE) where a grade of C or above is earned. In order to receive credit the student must be enrolled in one of OHIO’s degree-seeking nursing programs. The credit awarded is based on recommendations made by the American Council on Education (ACE). Only ECE exams that are backed by ACE recommendations will carry transferable credit. In most cases, the equivalent coursework will be general in nature and will not satisfy specific course requirements.

Prior Learning Assessment and Course Credit by Examination. You also may be able to earn credit without attending formal classes through two opportunities offered through OHIO’s Office of Instructional Design. Prior learning assessment (also referred to as portfolio-based assessment) is designed to provide credit for college-level experience gained through employment or other experience.

You follow a specific process to compile a portfolio of learning that is reviewed by appropriate University faculty members and assigned a credit value. Course credit by examination allows you to study or review a given subject and be tested on the subject within six months of enrollment, after which a letter grade is assigned and credit is awarded based on performance on the examination. Prior learning assessment and course credit by examination may be available on request; each request is evaluated on a case-by-case basis to determine if the option is appropriate to meet the student’s goals. These options are not eligible for financial aid. More information is available at the Prior Learning Assessment Program website. (See also OHIO Online  information in the catalog.)

Credit for Armed Forces Courses. Some courses, training, and experience provided by the armed forces may earn college credit. Ohio University makes determinations related to credit for military service based on statewide Military Transfer Assurance Guides (see Military Transfer Assurance Guides information in the catalog) and the ACE Military Guide, published by the American Council on Education. Blanket credit is not granted for military service. Veterans who served after October 1, 1981, must submit official documentation for credit consideration: Army, Marine Corp, Navy, and Coast Guard must submit a Joint Services Transcript (JST); Air Force veterans must submit a Community College of the Air Force transcript. In some cases, education through Department of Defense (DOD) schools may not appear on an official military course transcript. In these cases, official transcript(s) from the appropriate DOD school should be submitted. Additional alignments for military experience is articulated through Military Transfer Assurance Guides (MTAGs).

State policy requires public institutions of higher education to ensure that appropriate equivalent credit is awarded for military training, experience, and coursework that meet the baseline standards and procedures according to the Ohio Revised Code.

For additional information, or for instructions for personnel who served before October 1, 1981, contact Undergraduate Admissions at 740.593.4100.

Credit for Training Programs. Some courses offered by business and professional organizations are considered the equivalent of college courses, and you may receive transfer credit, subject to department or school approval, by presenting transcripts or certificates of completion from the training program. The ACE National Guide, published by the American Council on Education, and statewide Industry-Recognized Credential Transfer Assurance Guides (see Industry-Recognized Credential Transfer Assurance Guides information in the catalog) are used to determine what credit can be granted. Contact Undergraduate Admissions for further information.

Transferring Credit from Other Colleges and Universities

Acceptance and Application of Transfer Credit. In most cases, college-level courses successfully completed at a regionally accredited institution of higher education will transfer to Ohio University, subject to review by Undergraduate Admissions in accordance with the Ohio Department of Higher Education Transfer and Articulation Policy.

Specifically, transfer credit will be accepted for successfully completed (as defined below), college-level courses from institutions of higher education that are accredited by regional accrediting commissions that have been recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), or the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. For purposes of this policy, institutions accredited by national or professional agencies that are recognized by CHEA, but not also accredited by a regional accrediting commission, will be considered non-accredited.

The sending institution will determine which courses are college-level on the basis of three standards: 1) the course is not remedial or developmental; 2) the course carries one or more credit hours; 3) the hours of the course are eligible to count toward graduation at the sending institution.

The Ohio Articulation and Transfer Network outlines the following policies for the transfer of credit among Ohio public institutions of higher education:

1. In accordance with the Ohio Department of Higher Education Articulation and Transfer Policy, Definition of Passing Grade and Appendix E, transfer credit will be accepted for all college–level courses completed successfully in and after fall 2005 from Ohio state–assisted institutions of higher education.
2. Students who successfully completed Associate of Arts (AA) or Associate of Science (AS) degrees prior to fall 2005 with a 2.0 or better overall grade-point average also receive credit for all college-level courses they passed.
3. Acceptable course credit transferred without a specific grade from the sending Ohio institution—as in the case of college-level credit earned through credit by exam, for example—will be treated as a “passed” course in the transfer process.
4. Transferred courses earned at a state-supported institution located in Ohio that do not meet statewide guarantee equivalencies, such as TAG or Transfer Module requirements, or specific programmatic requirements, or which have no equivalency at Ohio University shall transfer as free elective credit. However, some programs or degrees have limitations on the number of such courses which can be counted toward a program/degree, or there may be a limit to the fields in which these credits may be taken. In these cases, policies and procedures for the application of credit shall be equitable for native and transfer students. Ohio University does not award credit for the same course more than once. In the event that a student transfers two or more external sources of credit that equate to the same Ohio University internal course(s), the student can only receive credit for one instance of the internal course(s).

Effective summer semester 2022-23, Ohio University accepts transfer courses completed at all CHEA recognized regionally accredited institutions in which grades of D+, D, or D- are earned, regardless of when the course was completed. Prior to the summer semester 2022-23, courses taken at a private or out-of-state institution or taken from an Ohio state-assisted institution of higher education, prior to the fall of 2005, in which a D grade was earned and not applied toward an earned associate degree, was not transferable to Ohio University unless the course met the following two conditions:

1. The course was a specific prerequisite (as stated in the previous school’s catalog) for a later course that was taken in the same department; and
2. A grade of C- or better was earned in the later course. 

Remedial courses and English courses taught in non-Anglophone countries are not transferable.

Grades in the Transfer Process. Effective summer term 2010-11, Ohio University records grades for all acceptable transfer courses with “T” preceding the grade earned on the student’s academic record and the Degree Audit Report System (DARS).

Effective fall quarter 2005-06, Ohio University accepts and applies transfer courses from Ohio public institutions in which grades of D+, D, or D- are earned and effective summer semester 2022-23, Ohio University accepts and applies transfer courses from all CHEA recognized regionally accredited institutions in which grades of a D+, D, or D- are earned, regardless of when the course was completed.

Prior to summer quarter 2010-11, these courses reflected a “TD” grade on the student’s academic record and DARS (per Ohio Department of Higher Education policy to ensure the equitable treatment of transfer students across Ohio’s public institutions of higher education). The number of hours of credit earned at each institution is recorded on the permanent record, but no grades are recorded. Transfer students, therefore, enter Ohio University with no GPA on their Ohio University academic records.

Prior to fall quarter 2005-06, D+, D, or D- grades were not transferable. However, if a student earned a D+, D, or D- in a course that was a specific prerequisite (as stated in the academic catalog of the prior school) to a course in which the student earned a grade of C- or better, then the course in which the D+, D, or D- was received was accepted for credit earned, and the “T” was recorded on DARS.

Transfer of Nontraditional Credit. Credits earned at a state-assisted institution located in Ohio through pass/fail options, credit by examination, prior learning assessment, and by other nontraditional methods will be applicable to the equivalent courses when available at Ohio University. If there are no equivalent courses and if the courses are not applicable to the statewide guarantee equivalencies, Transfer Module, General Education requirements, or specific programmatic requirements, the courses will count as free electives. However, some programs or degrees have limitations on the number of nontraditional credits which can be counted, or there may be a limit to the fields in which these credits may be taken. In these cases, credit shall be applied for transfer students in the same manner as for native students.

In most cases, nontraditional credit earned at independent Ohio institutions or institutions outside Ohio will not be transferable.

Awarding of Credit. In most cases, credit is awarded only after admission to the University as a degree-seeking student and upon receipt of official transcripts. Shortly after you have been accepted for admission, Undergraduate Admissions will provide you with access to your online transfer credit evaluation report. That report will contain information on courses equated automatically within OHIO’s student information system. Professional transfer credit evaluators will be responsible for making any remaining course evaluations and communicating those equivalencies with you.

Transferring Technical College Credit. If you have completed an associate degree from an Ohio Department of Higher Education-approved Ohio college, you will be able to transfer credit for all the general education coursework you have successfully completed, in accordance with the Ohio Department of Higher Education Transfer and Articulation policy. Most programs will also allow a limited amount of credit for technical courses to be applied as elective credit toward graduation requirements. Additional pathways for transferring technical credit is available through Career-Technical Assurance Guide alignments (see Career-Technical Assurance Guides entry below) or the One Year Option (see One Year Option Credit Award entry below).

Responsibilities of Students. To maximize transfer credit application, prospective transfer students must take responsibility for planning their course of study to meet both the academic and non-academic requirements of Ohio University.

Students are responsible to investigate and use the information, advising, and other available resources to develop such a plan. Students should actively seek program, degree, and transfer information; meet with an advisor from both the current institution and Ohio University to assist them in preparing a course of study that meets the academic requirements for the program/degree to which they plan to transfer; use the various electronic course/program transfer and applicability database systems, including the Credit Transfer tool web resources; and select courses/programs at their current institution that satisfy requirements at Ohio University to maximize the application of transfer credit.

The Ohio Department of Higher Education recommends students identify early in their collegiate studies an institution and major to which they desire to transfer. Furthermore, students should determine if there are foreign language requirements or any special course requirements that can be met during the freshman or sophomore year. This will enable students to plan and pursue a course of study that will better articulate with the receiving institution’s major. 

Appeals Process. A student disagreeing with the application of transfer credit by Ohio University may appeal the decision. Typically, that process involves submitting course descriptions, syllabi, and other supporting materials detailing the content of the course in question. If the appeal is denied, the student may appeal to the academic college administration. A student may further appeal through the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost. If a student’s appeal is denied after all appeal levels within Ohio University have been exhausted, the student may appeal to the state-level Articulation and Transfer Appeals Review Committee. The Appeals Review Committee shall review and recommend to institutions the resolutions of individual cases of appeal from transfer students who have exhausted all local appeal mechanism concerning applicability of transfer credits at receiving institutions.

Ohio Transfer 36. The Ohio Department of Higher Education’s Articulation and Transfer Policy established the Ohio Transfer 36 (formerly the Ohio Transfer Module), which may be a subset or the entire set of a public higher education institution’s general education curriculum in Associate of Arts (AA), Associate of Science (AS) and baccalaureate degree programs. Students in applied associate degree programs may complete some individual Ohio Transfer 36 courses within their degree program or continue beyond the degree program to complete the entire Transfer Module.

The Ohio Transfer 36 contains 36-40 semester hours of course credit in English composition (minimum of 3 semester or hours); mathematics, statistics and logic (minimum of 3 semester hours); arts and humanities (minimum of 6 semester or hours); social and behavioral sciences (minimum of 6 semester hours); and natural sciences (minimum of 6 semester hours). Oral communication and interdisciplinary areas may be included as additional options. Additional elective hours from among these areas make up the total hours for a completed Ohio Transfer 36.

Courses for Ohio Transfer 36 should be 1000-level or 2000-level general education courses commonly completed in the first two years of a student’s course of study. Each public university and technical and community college is required to establish and maintain an approved Ohio Transfer 36. 

Ohio Transfer 36 course(s) or the full module completed at one college or university will automatically meet the requirements of individual Ohio Transfer 36 course(s) or the full Ohio Transfer 36 at another college or university once the student is admitted. Students may be required, however, to meet additional general education requirements at the institution to which they transfer. For example, a student who completes the Ohio Transfer 36 at Institution S (sending institution) and then transfers to Institution R (receiving institution) is said to have completed the Ohio Transfer 36 portion of Institution R’s general education program. Institution R, however, may have general education courses that go beyond its Ohio Transfer 36. The Ohio Transfer and Articulation policy additionally codifies that non-equivalent courses which were used to satisfy the general education requirements at the receiving institution may be applied toward the general education requirements at the discretion of the receiving institution.

Students who complete the minimum requirements of the Ohio Transfer 36 at another college or university prior to enrollment in a degree-seeking program at Ohio University will receive transfer credit equivalent to fulfilling Ohio University’s BRICKS general education requirements in Foundations (excluding the Advanced Writing component, which requires completion of TME 002 Second Writing), Pillars, and Arches.

Students may be required, however, to meet additional general education requirements specified by colleges, degrees, or programs. For example, a student who transfers a TME 002 Second Writing course is said to have completed Advanced Writing for Ohio University’s general education program. However, colleges, degrees, or programs may require students to complete an additional Advanced Writing course specified by college, degree, or program requirements.

State policy initially required that all courses in the Ohio Transfer 36 be completed to receive its benefit in transfer. However, subsequent policy revisions have extended this benefit to the completion of individual Ohio Transfer 36 courses on a course-by-course basis.

When the sending institution has not posted completion of the Ohio Transfer 36 on the student’s transcript, Ohio Transfer 36 courses will apply toward general education requirement on a course-by-course basis.  Individual Ohio Transfer 36 courses completed at state-supported institutions located in Ohio that meet state guaranteed equivalences for the Ohio Transfer 36 areas of distribution yet have no course equivalency at Ohio University shall transfer as meeting select requirements for Ohio University’s general education (BRICKS) requirements as follows:

Ohio University agrees to work with students on an individual basis to ensure general education requirements are satisfied. Students who have been advised and are on track to complete one of OHIO’s articulated pathways can discuss the application of their transfer credit and possible course exceptions by contacting their academic college’s Student Services Center.

A student disagreeing with the application of transfer credit by Ohio University may appeal the decision to the administration of his/her academic college, in accordance with that college’s appeal process. For more information, please refer to the “Appeals Process” section above.

Transfer Assurance Guides (TAGs). The Ohio Department of Higher Education’s Articulation and Transfer Policy governs Transfer Assurance Guides (TAGs). TAGs comprise Ohio Transfer 36 courses and additional courses required for an academic major called TAG courses. A TAG is an advising tool to assist Ohio University students in planning for specific majors and making course selections that will ensure comparable, compatible, and equivalent learning experiences across Ohio’s public higher education system. A number of area-specific TAG pathways in meta-majors including the arts, humanities, business, communication, education, health, mathematics, sciences, engineering, engineering technologies, social sciences, and foreign languages have been developed by faculty teams. 

TAGs empower students to make informed course selection decisions and plans for their future transfer. Advisors at the institution to which a student wishes to transfer should also be consulted during the transfer process. Students may elect to complete the full TAG or any subset of courses from the TAG. Because of specific major requirements, early identification of a student’s intended major is encouraged.

Career Technical Assurance Guides (CTAGs). Collaboration among the Ohio Department of Higher Education, the Ohio Department of Education, and other key stakeholders led to the development of policies and procedures to create statewide career-technical, discipline-specific articulation agreements and further ensure that students completing coursework at an adult or secondary career-technical institution can articulate and transfer agreed-upon technical courses/programs to any Ohio public institution of higher education and among Ohio public institutions of higher education “without unnecessary duplication or institutional barriers”.

Career-Technical Assurance Guides (CTAGs) are statewide articulation agreements that guarantee the recognition of learning that occurs at public adult and secondary career-technical institutions and have the opportunity for the award of college credit toward technical courses/programs at any public higher education institution. CTAGs serve as advising tools, identifying the statewide content guarantee and describing other conditions or obligations (e.g., program accreditation or industry credential) associated with the guarantee.

Industry-Recognized Credential Transfer Assurance Guides (ITAGs). ITAGs guarantee the award of college-level credit to students earning agreed upon industry-recognized credentials. The award of credit is based upon the knowledge, skills and competencies gained through credential attainment regardless of where the learning to prepare for the credential took place.

ITAGs are determined by statewide panels composed of postsecondary faculty, industry representatives and educators from either Ohio Technical Centers (OTCs) and/or Secondary Career-Technical Centers. In some instances, ITAGs will overlap with other statewide transfer initiatives. This will expand access to other statewide transfer agreements (CTAGs, MTAGs and TAGs) but not replace them.

In absence of a statewide ITAG, additional opportunities for students to receive credit for industry-recognized credentials and training programs may exist through recommendations made by the American Council on Education (ACE) (see Credit for Training Programs) or the One Year Option (see One Year Option Credit Award).

Military Transfer Assurance Guides. In response to the legislative requirement (Ohio Revised Code 3333.164) to create a military articulation and transfer assurance guide for college-level learning that took place through military training, experience, and coursework, the Ohio Department of Higher Education’s Transfer and Articulation policy provides that college credit will be granted to students with military training, experience, and/or coursework that is recognized by the American Council on Education (ACE) or a regionally accredited military institution, such as Community College of the Air Force.

In order to streamline the awarding, transferability, and applicability of college credit, service members and veterans are guaranteed to earn certain types of credit(s) or course(s) as specified in the Military Transfer Assurance Guides (MTAGs), which are based on the endorsed baseline standards and procedures by the Chancellor. Equivalent course(s), credits for courses, or block of credit is to be awarded and applied towards general education and/or major course requirements at the receiving institution in accordance with the MTAG guarantee. There is some training, experience, and coursework that the receiving institution may be able to award college credit only toward general or free electives.

Apprenticeship Pathway Programs. The statewide Apprenticeship Pathways initiative advocates for individuals completing apprenticeships by incorporating their learning into academic credit, thereby saving them time and money and encouraging them to advance their academic credentials to contribute to a strong, educated workforce. Ohio apprenticeship programs partner with public two-year institutions to provide technology-specific statewide articulation agreements that recognize non-traditional prior learning. College credit is awarded toward a technical associate degree. Each agreement simplifies student advising by outlining how apprenticeship training in a certain pathway applies to an applied associate degree and lists remaining courses required to complete the degree. The application of the credit toward a technical associate degree in these agreements is guaranteed at the participating receiving institutions.

One Year Option Credit Award. The Ohio Department of Higher Education’s Articulation and Transfer Policy established criteria for awarding credit through the One Year Option initiative. The One Year Option builds upon Ohio’s articulation and transfer system to help more adults accelerate their preparation for work by earning a technical associate degree. Consistent with the philosophy of the Career-Technical Assurance Guides (CTAGs), the One Year Option guarantees that college credit will be awarded for college-level learning that occurs through adult programs at public career-technical institutions.

Adults who complete a career-technical education program of study consisting of a minimum of 900 clock-hours and achieve an industry-recognized credential approved by the Chancellor shall receive thirty (30) semester hours of technical course credit toward a standardized associate of technical study (ATS) degree upon matriculation at a public institution of higher education that confers such a degree. The 30 semester hours will be awarded as a block of credit rather than credit for specific courses. Proportional credit is awarded toward the ATS degree for adults who complete a program of study between 600 and 899 clock hours and achieved an industry-recognized credential approved by the Chancellor.

The credit earned through the One-Year Option will be applied to ATS degrees bearing the following standardized degree titles:

 1) Associate of Technical Study in Building and Industrial Technology
 2) Associate of Technical Study in Business Technology
 3) Associate of Technical Study in Health and Allied Health Technology
 4) Associate of Technical Study in Information Technology
 5) Associate of Technical Study in Services Technology

Several methods of receiving Ohio University credit for work previously completed or for general knowledge and experience are available. For further information on any of the following, visit the Transfer Your Credits web page or contact:

University Examiner
Chubb Hall 120
1 Ohio University Drive
Athens OH 45701–2979
740.593.4100.

Ohio Transfer 36 from Ohio University. If you are planning to transfer from Ohio University to another institution, the following guidelines should be followed in selecting courses to fulfill the 36-40 semester hours required by the transfer module:

1. A minimum of three semester hours of English composition by completing one of the following courses:

   English: ENG 1510 , 2800  
2. A minimum of three hours of mathematics or quantitative skills from the following courses:

Economics: ECON 2890      

Engineering and Technology: ET 2400 , 2450  

Mathematics: MATH 1060 , 1101 , 1102 , 1200 , 1250 , 1300 , both 1321  and 1322 , 1322 , 1350 , 1500 , 2301 , 2302 , 2530   

Philosophy: PHIL 1200  

Political Science: POLS 2800  

Psychology: PSY 1110  

 3. A minimum of six hours selected from at least two of the following arts and humanities areas:

African American Studies: AAS 1100 , 1500 , 2100 , 2110 , 2500  

Art: ART 1100 , 1120 , 1130   

Art History: AH 2110 , 2130  

Classics and Religious Studies: CARS 2110 , 2130 , 2140 , 2150 , 2160 , 2180 , 2190 , 2300 , 2310 , 2400 , 2440 , 2530 , 2700   

Dance: DANC 2550 , 2700 , 2710    

English: ENG 1100 , 2010 , 2020 , 2200 , 2310 , 2320 , 2510 , 2520 , 2530 , 2540    

Film: FILM 2010 , 2020 , 2030   

Fine Arts: FAR 1500  

History: HIST 1210 , 1220 , 2200 , 2220 , 2270 , 2300 , 2500 , 2530 , 2540 , 2700 , 2755     

Humanities: HUM 2070 , 2080  

Interdisciplinary Arts: IART 1170 , 1180  

Integrated Healthcare Studies: IHS 2215 , 2290    

Music: MUS 1210 , 1220 , 1240 , 1250 , 1625   

Philosophy: PHIL 1010 , 1300  , 2160 , 2400 , 2600  

Theater: THAR 1710 , 2710 , 2711  

4.  A minimum of six hours selected from at least two of the following social and behavioral sciences areas:

African American Studies: AAS 1010 , 2020  

Anthropology: ANTH 1010 , 2020 , 2400 , 2700    

Classics and Religious Studies: CARS 2010 , 2040 , 2400   

Economics: ECON 1000 , 1030 , 1040 , 2020 , 2150 , 2300 , 2350 , 2400 , 2510 , 2600 , 2700  

Education - Early Childhood: EDEC 1600    

Engineering and Technology: ET 2905   

Geography: GEOG 1200 , 1300 , 1310 , 2400 , 2500  

Health: HLTH 2000    

History: HIST 1320 , 1330 , 2000 , 2010 , 2460 , 2750 , 2905   

Integrated Healthcare Studies: IHS 2210 , 2190  

International Studies: INST 1010 , 1100 , 1400 , 1600  

Linguistics: LING 2700 , 2750 , 2800 , 2850  

Modern Languages: ML 2701   

Political Science: POLS 1010 , 1500 , 2000 , 2200 , 2300 , 2500 , 2700   

Psychology: PSY 1010 , 2210 , 2310 , 2410 , 2510 , 2540 , 2710 , 2720    

Sociology: SOC 1000 , 2000 , 2100 , 2200 , 2300 , 2310 , 2400 , 2600 , 2610 , 2700     

Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies: WGSS 1000  

 5. A minimum of six hours of natural and physical sciences, including at least one laboratory science course with at least one laboratory meeting each week in addition to lectures, from the following:

Anthropology: ANTH 2010  

Astronomy: ASTR 1000 , 1001  

Athletic Training: AT 2690  

Biological Sciences: BIOS 1000 , 1030 , 1300 , 1310 , 1700 , 1705 , 1710 , 2010 , 2200 , 2210 , 2250 , 2500 , 2750    

Biology: BIOL 1010  

Chemistry: CHEM 1010 , 1205 , 1205L  (on-campus only), 1210 , 1220 , 1510 , 1520  

Environmental and Plant Biology: PBIO 1000 , 1030 , 1140 , 2050 , 2090     

Geography: GEOG 1100 , 2060   

Geological Sciences: GEOL 1010 , 1200 , 1300 , 1350 , 1400 , 1700 , 2080 , 2110 , 2150 , 2210 , 2310  

Physics: PHYS 2001 , 2002 , 2051 , 2052 , 2054 , 2055 , 2057    

Physical Science: PSC 1000 , 1001 , 1010 , 1011 , 1050 , 1051  

 6. Additional courses to fulfill the 36-40 hour requirement.

We recommend you work closely with the transfer coordinator at the institution to which you hope to transfer to ensure that the specific courses you select will fulfill the major and graduation requirements of the academic program you intend to pursue.  

Grading Information

At the close of a semester/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 a letter grade. 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 (6 + 9 = 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, “Canceling Registration, Dropping Classes, and Withdrawing” and the Faculty Handbook).

A course for which graduation credit is not allowed or a course that has been retaken, will be identified on the student’s academic record (transcript). Grades for these courses do not affect the grade point average, and credit hours do not count toward graduation.

Repeating a Course

Repeating a course is to complete a course more than once for credit. This can be done only with repeatable courses, which are designed to be taken multiple times (e.g., MUS 3400, PSY 4900). Some departments place a limit on the total number of credits that may be earned in a given repeatable course.

Retaking a Course

A regular course with fixed content can be retaken to affect the student’s GPA. Retaking the course removes the hours and the effect of the earlier grades from the calculation of the GPA. However, all grades appear on the permanent academic record (transcript). The last grade earned is the one used to calculate the GPA, even if it is lower than the earlier grade(s), and only the last instance’s credit hours are accepted toward any requirements for graduation. The number of times a student is allowed to retake an undergraduate course for the purpose of improving the grade is restricted to a maximum of two, in addition to the first attempt. Withdrawals are not counted as an attempt. Some graduate and professional schools will include all grades in their own calculations of the GPA when determining a student’s eligibility for admission, even though Ohio University calculates the GPA by using only the last grade in a retaken course.

Courses taken at Ohio University and retaken at another university are not eligible for grade point adjustment under this policy.

Retaking a course after graduation will not change graduation GPA or honors status.

Pass/Fail Grading Option

Taking a course pass/fail is an option designed to encourage you to explore areas of study in a way that will not negatively affect your GPA. To be eligible, the student must have a GPA of 2.5 or better for his or her latest term of full–time enrollment, or have an accumulative GPA of 2.0 or better. First–term freshmen automatically qualify. The pass/fail grading option is subject to the following restrictions:

1. No course taken pass/fail may be used to fulfill any graduation requirement (college, school, or department) other than the total hours requirement. For example, courses taken pass/fail cannot be used to meet distribution requirements, minor or certificate requirements, requirements of courses above a specified level, a specific course established as a major requirement, or any other such requirements in the student’s program. Colleges may refuse permission to use the pass/fail option for courses that are eligible to meet any requirements that have not already been met by the student; if they do grant permission in such a case, the student will have to meet that requirement with some other course. Courses taken pass/fail prior to the student’s entering the program cannot apply to program requirements other than total hours for graduation.
2. The student may take no more than one class per term or session by pass/fail.
3. The student may complete no more than 12 semester hours under this option.
4. The instructor is not to know who elects his or her course on the pass/fail option. A letter grade will be turned in and then converted to a P or F on the student’s academic record by the University Registrar. The original letter grade cannot be retrieved. ​

To initiate the pass/fail option, the student should register for the class by accessing MyOHIO Student Center, and then contact his or her college or regional campus student services office (no later than the Friday of the second week of the semester or the Friday of the first week of a session) to request a class be taken pass/fail. Pass/fail requests by regional campus students are reviewed by the student’s college student services office on the Athens campus and may be denied, if an inappropriate choice has been made. Pass/fail applications cannot be processed through MyOHIO Student Center.

Transfer Credit Grades

Effective Summer Quarter 2010-11, Ohio University records grades for all acceptable transfer courses with a “T” preceding the grade earned on the student’s academic record and the Degree Audit (DARS) Report. The total number of semester hours of credit earned at each institution is recorded on the permanent academic record (transcript), but no grades are recorded. Transfer students, therefore, enter Ohio University with no grade point average on their Ohio University academic records.

D Grades. Effective Summer Semester 2022-23, grades of D+, D, or D- will be accepted, regardless of when the course was completed, from all Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) recognized regionally accredited institutions. Fall Quarter 2005–06 through Spring Semester 2022-23, Ohio University accepted and applied transfer courses from Ohio public institutions in which grades of D+, D, or D- were earned (per Ohio Department of Higher Education policy to ensure the equitable treatment of transfer students across Ohio’s public institutions of higher education). Effective Fall Quarter 2005-06 through Spring Quarter 2010-11, these courses reflect a “TD” grade on the student’s academic record and DARS report; effective Summer Quarter 2010-11, the grades are recorded as earned with a “T” preceding the grade earned. 

Prior to Fall Quarter 2005–06, D+, D, or D- grades were not transferable. However, if a student earned a D+, D, or D- in a course that was a specific prerequisite (as stated in the academic catalog of the prior school) to a course in which the student earned a grade of C or better, then the course in which the D+, D, or D- was received was accepted for credit earned, and the T grade was recorded on the DARS report.

Segmented Transcript Policy

The segmented transcript policy was developed as a way to allow students who leave the University with low grades and re–enroll after an absence of four or more years to begin coursework without the threat of academic probation. Under this policy, all of the student’s courses are reflected on the transcript, but the GPA grades earned earlier are changed temporarily to CR (for any passing grade) and NC (for any failing grade) which removes them from the calculation of their accumulative GPA, while the hours earned will be carried forward.

The new GPA after segmentation will be used for determining probationary status and liability of being academically dropped. The new GPA also may be used, at the discretion of relevant officials or committees, to determine eligibility for entrance to academic programs or for scholarships and honor societies, although they also have the option of using the combined (true) GPA. However, the GPA for determining the 2.0 minimum overall GPA for graduation and in the major, as well as honor status at graduation, is based on all hours attempted at Ohio University, including those attempted before segmentation. Upon graduation, the Office of the University Registrar will return all grades to the original grades and recalculate the GPA. Upon graduation, a student may request a letter from his/her academic dean; this letter will explain the Segmented Transcript Policy and include the student’s “Fresh Start” GPA (the GPA since segmentation).

Subsequent gaps of four or more years will not qualify students for further transcript segmentation.

The student must petition the college student services office or regional higher education office to have the transcript segmented.

Grade Appeals

The instructor assigned to a class has full responsibility for grading, subject to the appeal process described in this section. In unusual circumstances (e.g., death, incapacity, or indefinite inaccessibility of the instructor), the department chair (or school director) is responsible for the final grade, subject to appeal by the student to the dean as described in this section. Students are encouraged to initiate grade appeals immediately after receiving notice of the letter grade. Final grade appeals must be initiated no later than 15 business days from the beginning of the fall or spring semester immediately following assignment of the final grade.

A student appealing a grade must make a concerted effort to resolve the matter with the instructor of the course. Failing such a resolution, the student may appeal the grade to the department chair. The chair must attempt a resolution acceptable to both the student and the instructor but does not have the authority to change the grade. The department chair may enlist departmental grievance procedures to assist in resolving the grade appeal at the departmental level. The student shall be notified of the departmental decision within 15 business days of the initial appeal. If the student wishes to appeal the departmental decision, the chair shall forward the appeal to the dean of the college within 10 business days for action. If the chair is the instructor, the student appeals directly to the dean. 

In cases not involving academic misconduct, the burden of proof for a grade change is on the student. If the dean concludes that the student has insufficient grounds for an appeal, there can be no further appeal by the student. The dean has 15 business days from the time of receiving the appeal to decide whether the appeal has sufficient grounds or not and to notify the student of their decision. If the dean concludes that sufficient grounds do exist for an appeal, the dean shall appoint a faculty committee of five members to consider the case. The committee shall have 15 business days from the time of receiving the appeal to reach a decision concerning the appeal. If a majority on the committee decide that the grade should be changed and the instructor does not accept the recommendation, the committee can authorize the university registrar to change the grade. The decision of the committee is not subject to further appeal. In appeal cases in which the dean is the instructor, the role of the dean will be assumed by the Provost. In those 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 cases of academic misconduct, both the student and instructor 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.

In all cases, the appeals process should be completed within 90 calendar days (excluding summers) of the initial appeal. Failure to notify appropriate parties of decisions or actions within the specified period should result in automatically advancing appeals to the next stage of the process. Exceptions for failing to initiate an appeal, to reach a decision, or to take action within the specified period may be made for unusual circumstances such as documented medical emergencies, family emergencies, or acts of nature.

Complete information on the rights and responsibilities of students and faculty relative to grade appeals is available at the Office of the Ombudsperson. If you need assistance in understanding the grade appeals process or in preparing a grade appeal(s), contact the Ombudsperson, Baker University Center 501, 740.593.2627. The office will be able to be of greatest assistance, if you make contact early in the process.

Official Grades

Academic Status

At the end of each semester undergraduate students are evaluated based on their semester GPA and hours to determine placement on the President’s List, Dean’s List, or Provost’s List.

President’s List

The President’s List, compiled at the end of each semester, includes the names of all undergraduate students whose GPA for the semester is a 4.0 for a minimum of 12 hours attempted for letter grades that are used to calculate the GPA; or students who have earned 12 hours with no GPA, (i.e., hours were not taken for letter grades), 4.0 GPA for any courses attempted for letter grades, and were on the President’s List the previous semester of enrollment.

Dean’s List

The Dean’s List compiled at the end of each semester, includes the names of all undergraduate students whose GPA for the semester is 3.5 – 3.999 for a minimum of 12 hours attempted for letter grades that are used to calculate the GPA; or students who have earned 12 hours with no GPA, (i.e., hours were not taken for letter grades), a minimum GPA of 3.5 for any courses attempted for letter grades, and were on the Dean’s or President’s List the previous semester of enrollment.

Provost’s List

The Provost’s List, compiled at the end of each semester, includes the names of all undergraduate students whose GPA for the semester is at least 3.5 or greater and 6.0 – 11.99 hours attempted for letter grades that are used to calculate the GPA.

Academic Probation

At the close of the semester, the academic record of each enrolled undergraduate student (regardless of student enrollment status) will be reviewed to verify the accumulative GPA. At the time of the review, if you do not have the required 2.0 minimum accumulative GPA, you will be placed on academic probation. To be removed from probation, your accumulative GPA must reach at least a 2.0.

Students with fewer than 90 credit hours earned: If you have fewer than 90 semester credit hours earned and are not removed from probation, you will be continued on probation or academically dismissed. To be continued on probation, you must have either 1) semester GPA of at least 2.0 or 2) accumulative GPA equal to or greater than the minimum GPA defined by your hours earned:

• With 0 - 29.99 hours earned, the minimum accumulative GPA to be continued on probation is 1.6.
• With 30.00 - 59.99 hours earned, the minimum accumulative GPA to be continued on probation is 1.8.
• With 60.00 - 89.99 hours earned, the minimum accumulative GPA to be continued on probation is 1.9.

If you are on probation and fail both of the criteria described above, you will be academically dismissed.

Students with 90 or more semester credit hours earned: If you are on probation in a given semester and you have 90 or more semester credit hours earned at the end of that semester, you must achieve a 2.0 accumulative GPA to avoid academic dismissal.

Some colleges require higher standards of performance than the University’s 2.0 minimum. If you have been dropped from a college because of failure to meet such additional standards but are not subject to dismissal according to the University rules, you are still eligible for admission to other programs in the University. International students placed on academic probation are strongly encouraged to meet with an advisor in International Student and Scholar Services to discuss their situations. International students in F–1 or J–1 status who are dropped from their programs or from the University must see an advisor in International Student and Scholar Services.

Removal from Probation. Removal of probationary status is automatic at the close of the semester when your accumulative GPA rises to 2.0 or above, unless your college requires higher standards.

Dismissal (Drop) and Reinstatement. If you have been dropped, you are not able to enroll for courses at Ohio University.

You may petition your college student services office for reinstatement, but normally reinstatement will not be granted until at least 12 months after your dismissal. As a condition for reinstatement, the dean of your college may suggest remedial steps you can take. 

Students petitioning for reinstatement must do so according to the following deadlines:

• For reinstatement in Fall Semester, the petition must be received by August 1.
• For reinstatement in Spring Semester, the petition must be received by December 15 (January 2, if you were dismissed the immediate preceding fall semester)
• For reinstatement in Summer Semester, the petition must be received by April 15.

Petitions received after the deadlines above will be held for review for the next semester.

If you have been dismissed from the University for a second time, reinstatement is possible only under extraordinary circumstances and usually is not granted until at least 24 months after the second dismissal.

Academic Misconduct

The Student Code of Conduct prohibits all forms of academic misconduct. Academic misconduct refers to dishonesty or deception in fulfilling academic requirements. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

• Plagiarism: Using another’s work, in whole or in part, without acknowledging the source and presenting that material as one’s own academic work.
• Cheating: Any attempt by a student to answer questions on a test, quiz, or assignment by means other than their own knowledge, without authorization from the instructor resulting in unfair academic advantage.
• Multiple Submissions: Submitting the same academic work for credit more than once unless specifically authorized by the instructor of record.
• Fabrication or Falsification: Knowingly using and/or presenting invented or fabricated information, falsified research, or other findings.
• Misrepresentation: Misrepresenting facts in an attempt to gain an academic advantage.

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

In cases of academic misconduct, an instructor 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 instructor 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.

The instructor also has the discretion to refer your case to the director of the Office of Community Standards and Student Responsibility for resolution under the Student Code of Conduct. 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, disciplinary suspension, or disciplinary expulsion from Ohio University.

Please note, the Office of Community Standards and Student Responsibility does not have the authority to modify a grade given by an instructor.

If you wish to appeal the decision of the Office of Community Standards and Student Responsibility, such as suspension or expulsion, you can request that the matter be reviewed by 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, Baker University Center 349, 740.593.2629, communitystandards@ohio.edu.

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.

Student Records Information

Student Records Policy

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

Obtaining Transcripts

Students can order official transcripts in one of these types:

1. Comprehensive transcript, showing all coursework at Ohio University
2. Undergraduate transcript only
3. Graduate (master’s level and above) transcript only
4. Medical transcript only

There is a $10.00 per paper transcript fee and $8.00 per electronic transcript fee for regular processing (generally 2–3 business days). There is an additional $10.00 fee for each transcript processed on the same day requested (i.e., a paper transcript processed on the same day as requested will cost $20.00). Same day requests must be submitted by 2:00 PM Eastern. Transcripts can 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 or regional campus student services office. The student is required to provide their signature authorizing release of their transcript. Online orders will require students to sign electronically at the time an order is placed. To find out more about the various processing, application, and delivery options available and to obtain a transcript request form, go to the registrar’s website at www.ohio.edu/registrar/transcripts; visit Registrar Services, 1st floor, Chubb Hall; call the Registrar’s office, 740.593.4206; or send an email to transcripts@ohio.edu.

Replacement of Diploma

To obtain a replacement diploma or certificate (only certificates earned fall of 2019 and after), provide a notarized affidavit attesting that the original diploma/certificate has been lost or destroyed, or verification of a name change, to the registrar’s office along with a request for a new diploma/certificate. In the case of a name change, you must also return the original diploma/certificate. Instructions for verifying a name change are available from the registrar’s office. The fee for diploma replacement is $15. Visit www.ohio.edu/registrar/replacement-diploma for more details.

The replacement diploma/certificate will be the same physical size as the current diploma/certificate size, will contain current titles and signatures of University officers, and will have the notation “official replacement.” Please allow four to six weeks for delivery.

Official Notifications for Students

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 students registered 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/student-affairs/students/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, Student Housing Handbook, and University Policy and Procedures. All students are subject to the rules of behavior as outlined in the Student Code of Conduct and following policies:

• Ohio University Hazing Policy 23.010
  • ​www.ohio.edu/policy/23-010
• Ohio University Hazing Prevention Resources
  • ​www.ohio.edu/student-affairs/be-informed-bobcats/hazing-prevention

The University has approved a policy on its commitment to free expression and the use of indoor and outdoor spaces. Please be sure to look them over:

• Statement of Commitment to Free Expression
  • www.ohio.edu/policy/01-040
• Use of Indoor Spaces
  • www.ohio.edu/policy/01-042
• Use of Outdoor Spaces
  • www.ohio.edu/policy/01-044
• More information about Freedom of Expression
  • www.ohio.edu/student-affairs/expression
• Crime Awareness and Campus Security (Clery Campus Security Policy and Crime Stats Act)
• University Regulations Regarding Concealed Gun Law
• Copyright Compliance
• Emergency Closing of the University
• Student Privacy (The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 or FERPA)
• Voter Registration (Voter Registration Provision in Higher Education Amendments of 1998)
• Campus Disruption (Ohio House Bill 1219)
• Convictions for Certain Riot–related Offenses
• Drugs and Alcohol (Drug–Free School and Community Act of 1989)
• Graduation/Transfer–Out Rates (Student Right to Know Act of 1990)
• Consequences for Involvement in Civil Disturbance
• Statement on Sexual Assault
• Sexual Harassment and Other Sexual Misconduct Grievance Process
• Sexual Harassment and Other Sexual Misconduct Policy
• Student Code of Conduct
• Letter from Dean of Students: Expectations Regarding Alcohol
• Medical Emergency Assistance Program
• Emergency Text Messaging System

Questions regarding notifications can be addressed to:

Office of the Dean of Students
Baker University Center 345
740.593.1800
deanofstudents@ohio.edu

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