Graduation Requirements – Universitywide

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

• Catalog of Entry
• Requirements
• General Education Requirements
• Residency Requirements for Graduation
• In Absentia
• Earning a Second Degree
• Graduation Procedures

The undergraduate catalog is published for an academic year, which comprises fall through summer semesters. For example, the 2020-21 academic year is fall 2020, spring 2021, and summer 2021. The catalog in effect for the term in which you first complete coursework at Ohio University becomes your University and Major Program Catalog of Entry. This catalog defines the Universitywide and college–level academic requirements you must complete and academic policies you must follow for the next five years.

After five years from your initial registration, your college may choose to update either or both catalogs as they pertain to requirements for graduation. Offices responsible for enforcing other University policies, such as graduation with honor, for example, may apply the current Universitywide policies to existing students after five years.

Either major or nonmajor requirement changes made necessary by altered or discontinued courses, or by requirements imposed by external accrediting or certification agencies will be resolved on an individual basis by the dean of your college. Whenever possible, new requirements will be implemented with a beginning class or upon the expiration of the appropriate time limit.

Ohio University has two sets of graduation requirements: Universitywide requirements, which all students must complete, and college–level requirements, which include the requirements for completing a major or minor. Universitywide requirements are discussed in this section. Specific college–level, department–level, and school–level requirements for majors and minors are explained under the appropriate college, department, or school listing. Universitywide graduation requirements stipulate:

• You must have a minimum of 120 semester hours of credit for a bachelor’s degree (except Honors Tutorial College students), with all other requirements met. An associate’s degree requires a minimum of 60 semester hours.
• You must earn a minimum of 30 semester credit hours for a bachelor’s degree while enrolled at Ohio University, and you must earn a minimum of 50 percent of coursework taken to fulfill your major concentration, minor, or certificate requirements in residence. You must earn a minimum of 18 semester credit hours for an associate’s degree while enrolled at Ohio University, and you must earn a minimum of 50 percent of coursework taken to fulfill your major concentration, minor, or certificate requirements in residence. Note: Associate of Technical Study requires a minimum of 18 semester credit hours while enrolled at Ohio University, but not the 50 percent of coursework taken to fulfill your major concentration.
• To complete requirements for two bachelor’s degrees, you must meet the requirements for both degrees and must have completed 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 the residence requirement.
• 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.
• No more than six semester credit hours earned in developmental courses may be applied toward the total hours required for graduation. Developmental courses are identified by a “D” at the beginning of the course number.
• No more than 12 semester credit hours earned under the Pass/Fail grading option may be applied toward total hours required for graduation.
• No more than 30 semester credit hours earned in prior learning assessment (also referred to as portfolio-based assessment) may be applied toward a bachelor’s degree, and no more than 15 semester credit hours toward an associate’s degree. Successful completion of UC 2030 - Credit for Work Experience: Portfolio Development  is a requirement for prior learning assessment (also referred to as portfolio-based assessment).
• The University requires a minimum of 15 semester credit hours completed in the minor, and has no policy on the minimum requirements for a major. The specific requirements are determined by your major (and minor, if you have one) department/school and are included in this catalog.
• You must have a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 (C) on all hours attempted (including work taken at another institution, if you are a transfer student) and in the major or equivalent as determined by your college. Your college may have additional GPA requirements.
• All bachelor’s degree students (except Honors Tutorial College students) must complete Ohio University’s General Education requirements. Associate’s degree students must complete the first-year English composition and quantitative skills requirements.
• Certificates are for bachelor’s degree-seeking students and provide a significant interdisciplinary academic experience intended to complement the major, broaden career possibilities, or allow study in an area of interest from a variety of perspectives. Certificate programs require a minimum of 15 semester hours and specific requirements are included in this catalog. 

Degree Audit Reporting System (DARS)

Students may view their DARS report through the Faculty & Advising Center. 

Your official Ohio University transcript lists all courses you have taken or are taking at Ohio University, the grades you have earned, and your official grade point average. These totals are used to determine graduation with honors, financial aid and scholarship eligibility, fees, and total hours earned at Ohio University.

Your DARS report shows how courses and grades apply to the graduation requirements for a given program. Most of the time the total hours attempted, hours earned, and grade point average displayed in the General Graduation requirements section of your DARS report will match those reported on your transcript. However, legitimate differences may exist. For example, some colleges place limits on credit hours from certain categories, such as the number of technical elective credits and number of hours with grades of “CR” (credit) that can count toward graduation. Also, there are limits on the total number of hours in developmental courses and the total number of hours with “P” (pass) grades. All of these are included in the total number of hours earned and reported on your transcript, but they might or might not count toward graduation requirements, depending on the program you are completing and other limitations. DARS reflects these idiosyncrasies for each individual program by counting only the hours and grades that are appropriate for a given program, giving you an accurate assessment of your progress toward completing graduation requirements.

Sometimes discrepancies can exist because students take courses they should not take (for example, MATH 1350 after passing MATH 2301 and MATH 2302). In this case, DARS deducts the credit and grade for MATH 1350, but MATH 1350 will still be listed on the transcript.

If you are thinking about changing your major, you may request a “What - If” DARS report from the Faculty & Advising Center mentioned above. This report will show how courses already completed will apply to the new major and what additional courses are needed to complete that program.

Although the DARS report provides a quantitative assessment of program requirements, it is intended to supplement the role of the academic advisor, who will help you with course selection and assist you in making informed decisions about a future career. If you have questions concerning the DARS report, please contact your college student services office or your regional campus student services office.

General Education Requirements

Ohio University believes that, as an educated person, you need certain intellectual skills in order to participate effectively in society. These include the following:

• The ability to communicate effectively through the written word and the ability to use quantitative or symbolic reasoning.
• Broad knowledge of the major fields of learning.
• A capacity for evaluation and synthesis.

To help you meet these objectives, Ohio University has instituted a three–tiered General Education requirement that all baccalaureate degree students (except those in Honors Tutorial College) must fulfill. Tier I course requirements build your quantitative and English composition skills; Tier II course requirements increase your breadth of knowledge; and the Tier III course requirement develops your ability to interrelate, synthesize, and integrate knowledge from different academic disciplines.

Tier I Requirements

Quantitative Skills. You must demonstrate or acquire an acceptable level of quantitative skills to satisfy graduation requirements. The University uses your ACT or SAT (see chart below) math score to determine your skill level for placement or exemption unless the Tier I quantitative skills requirement has been satisfied by transfer or advanced placement credit. Students in some majors are required to have a math placement regardless of transfer or advanced placement credit in order to meet requisite requirements. The choice of the course in which you should enroll, if any, depends on your major, catalog of entry, and math placement, and it should be discussed with your academic advisor.

Athens Campus and eCampus students without ACT scores, SAT scores, advanced placement, or a transferable math course must take a math placement test which is available through the ALEKS placement system. Athens Campus and eCampus students who would benefit academically from beginning in a higher math class than their original placement indicates are also welcome to use the ALEKS placement system. Athens Campus and eCampus students should direct questions to the Mathematics Department   at 740.593.1254. Regional and eCampus students should contact their student services offices for math placement information.

To enroll in any mathematics (MATH) or other quantitative skills course, you must either place at the specific level required for that course or satisfy the appropriate requisites.

Placement levels are:

DV (Developmental): Placement at this level indicates the need for further preparation before enrolling in a Tier I quantitative skills course. You must complete MATH D004  or MATH D005  before enrolling in a Tier I quantitative skills course.

PL1 (Placement Level 1): Placement at this level indicates preparation for any of the following Tier I–fulfilling courses: MATH 1060 , 1090 , 1101   or 1102  (certain education majors only), 1200 , 1250 , 1260 , 1321 , PHIL 1200 , POLS 2800 ,  PSY 1110  , MATH 1500  

Note: Students who need MATH 1350  (Survey of Calculus) should enroll first in MATH 1200  and then take MATH 1350 . Students who need MATH 2301  should begin with MATH 1350  (B or better) or 1300  (C or better) or 1322  (C or better) and then MATH 2301 . Students cannot earn credit for both MATH 1350  and 2301 .

PL2 (Placement Level 2): Placement at this level indicates preparation for Level 1 courses as well as these additional Tier I–fulfilling courses: GEOG 2710  MATH 1300 , 1322 , 1350 , 2500 , PSY 2110 , PSY 2111 , PSY 2112  

Note: MATH 1300  is the requisite course for MATH 2301 . MATH 1300  is not recommended unless you plan on enrolling in MATH 2301 . Students cannot earn credit for both MATH 1350  and 2301  .

PL3 (Placement Level 3): Placement at this level demonstrates quantitative skill competence sufficient to fulfill the Tier I quantitative skills requirement. If your major requires that you enroll in a quantitative skills course, placement at Level 3 indicates preparation for MATH 2301  and any course in Level 1 or 2. A Level 3 placement does not guarantee a waiver of college or major requirements in mathematics. Contact your college student services office to see if a college waiver is in effect for your major.

English Composition. A first–year composition course and an advanced junior–level composition course are required. Either ENG 1510  or 1610  (for non-native English speakers only) will satisfy the University’s General Education first–year writing requirement (1E).

You can complete the university’s junior-level composition requirement by passing an approved junior composition (J) course, by passing two junior composition equivalency (JE) courses within your program of study, or by passing one JE course within your program of study and one JE course outside your program of study, as approved by your department or school. You may use two JE courses outside your program of study, providing both courses are approved by your department or school. You may also demonstrate advanced writing proficiency by passing the junior–level exemption exam.

The following courses fulfill the junior–level composition requirement and are marked in this catalog with the designation (1J) as the general education code:

Art: ART 3000J  

Aviation: AVN 3250J  

Classics and World Religions: CLWR 3850J  

Communication: COMM 3260J  

Economics: ECON 3100J  

Education - Honors Program: EDHP 3930J  

English:ENG 3030J , 3050J , 3060J , 3070J , 3080J , 3090J , 3100J  

Engineering and Technology: ET 3800J  

Engineering Technology and Management: ETM 3700J  

Environmental and Plant Biology: PBIO 4180J , 4181J  

Film: FILM 3440J  

Geological Sciences: GEOL 3092J  

Honors College: HC 3000J  

History: HIST 3111J  

Health: HLTH 3400J  

Human and Consumer Sciences: CONS 3450J  

Interdisciplinary Arts: IART 3600J  

Interdisciplinary Health Studies: IHS 3700J  

Journalism: JOUR 4410J  

Management: 4800J  

Modern Language: ML 3210J , 3270J , 3280J  

Nursing, Baccalaureate Program: NRSE 3700J  

Philosophy: PHIL 3010J  

Political Science: POLS 3050J  

Professional Communication: PRCM 3250J  

Recreation: REC 3700J  

Science in Applied Management: SAM 3250J  

Sociology: SOC 3560J  

Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies: WGSS 3810J  

The following courses are eligible to help fulfill the junior-level composition requirement as JE courses and are marked in this catalog with the designation (1JE) as the general education code:
       

Biological Sciences: BIOS 3435  

Civil Engineering: CE 4001 , 4280  

Chemical Engineering: CHE 2010 , 4110  

Communication Studies: COMS 3400 , 3500 , 3600  

        Education - Early Childhood: EDEC 3120    Early Childhood and Elementary Education – ECEE 4200  

Geography: GEOG 4560  

Geological Sciences: GEOL 3500 , 4460 , 4520 , 4660  

Industrial and Systems Engineering: ISE 2100 , 3340  

Journalism: JOUR 3310 , 3500 , 3630 , 3700 , 4650   4700  

Mechanical Engineering: ME 3510 , 4880  

Media Arts and Studies: MDIA 3110 , 3201 , 3202 , 4201  

If you are a transfer student, your requirements are determined by when you enroll and the number and type of credit hours transferred.

Tier II Requirements

You are required to complete a total of 21 credit hours from an approved list of courses in the following six distribution areas:

You are required to take at least two credit hours in each of the six areas and may satisfy no more than two of the required six areas with courses from the same department/school. You may satisfy no more than 8 of the 21 hours with courses from the same department/school.

You may apply no more than two approved Tier II courses in your major department/school or area of concentration (for B.S.S. students and B.F.A. students in the Interdisciplinary Arts major) toward partial fulfillment of the Tier II requirement.

Approved courses are marked in the Course Descriptions section with 2AS, 2CP, 2FA, 2HL, 2NS, or 2SS as the General Education code. The following courses fulfill the Tier II breadth of knowledge requirement: 

Applied Science and Mathematics (2AS)

Athletic Training: AT 1001 , 3690 , 3693  

                Aviation: AVN 2000  

Biological Sciences: BIOS 2050 , 2200 , 2210 , 2225  , 2250 , 2350  

Chemistry and Biochemistry: CHEM 1010  

College of Arts and Sciences: CAS 2405  

Computer Science: CS 2300  

Communication Sciences and Disorders: CSD 1080  

Communication: COMM 1200  

                Early Childhood and Elementary Education – ECEE 2400  

Electrical Engineering: EE 1014  

Environmental and Plant Biology: PBIO 1030 , 2010 , 2050 , 2060 , 2140 , 2180 , 3140  

Environmental Health: EH 2000  

Engineering and Technology: ET 2300 , 2800  

Engineering Technology and Management: ETM 1100  

Exercise Physiology: EXPH 1001  

Geography: GEOG 2400 , 2680  

Geological Sciences: GEOL 1350 , 1700 , 2150 , 2170 , 2310  

Health Sciences - Health: HLTH 2000 , 2020 , 2020C   

Industrial and Systems Engineering: ISE 1100 , 3040  

Information and Telecommunication Systems: ITS 1010 , 2010  

Mathematics: MATH 1350 , 2301 , 2302  

Nursing: NRSE 2420  

Nutrition: NUTR 1000 , 1100  

Physical Science: PSC 1350  

Cross-Cultural Perspectives (2CP)

                Academic and Global Communication: AGC 1300  

Anthropology: ANTH 1010 , 2020 , 3590  

Art: ART 2501  

Art History: AH 2130 , 3310 , 3400  

Classical Archeology: CLAR 1110  

Classics and World Religions: CLWR 2300 , 3330 , 3340 , 3350 , 3470 , 3480  ,2240

Classics in English: CLAS 2510  CLAS 2700  

College of Arts and Sciences: CAS 2410  

Communication Studies: COMS 1100 , 1100C   

Dance: DANC 4550  

Education - Critical Studies: EDCS 1011  

Education - Early Childhood: EDEC 2600  

Education - Teacher Education: EDTE 2500  

English: ENG 3310 , 3320 , ENG 1100  

Environmental and Plant Biology: PBIO 2170  

Foreign Languages and Literatures:

Arabic: ARAB 1110 , 1120 , 2110 , 2120  

Chinese: CHIN 1110 , 1120 , 2110 , 2120  

French: FR 1110 , 1120 , 2110 , 2120  

German: GER 1110 , 1120 , 2110 , 2120  

Greek: GK 1110 , 1120  

Hindi-Urdu: HIND 1110 , 1120 , 2110 , 2120  

Indonesian Malaysian: INDO 1110 , 1120 , 2110 , 2120  

Italian: ITAL 1110 , 1120 , 2110 , 2120  

Japanese: JPN 1110 , 1120 , 2110 , 2120  

Japanese Culture: JPC 2500  

Khmer: KHMR 1110 , 1120 , 2110 , 2120  

Kikuyu:KIKU 1110 , 1120 , 2110 , 2120  

Latin: LAT 1110 , 1120  

                       Malay: MALA 1120 , 3110 , 3120 , 3930  ,MALA 1110  , MALA 2110  , MALA 2120  

Portuguese: PORT 3110 , 3120 , 3180 , 3190  

Russian: RUS 1110 , 1120 , 2110 , 2120  

Setswana: SETS 1110  

Somali: SOMA 1110 , 1120 , 2110 , 2120  

Spanish: SPAN 2110 , 2120 , 3349  

Sudanese: SUDN 1110 , 1120 , 2110 , 2120  

Swahili: SWAH 1110 , 1120 , 2110 , 2120  

Thai: THAI 1110 , 1120 , 2110 , 2120 , 3110 , 3120  

Twi: AKAN 1110 , 1120 , 2110 , 2120  

Vietnamese: VIET 1110 , 1120 , 2110 , 2120  

Wolof: WOL 1110 , 1120 , 2110 , 2120  

Zulu: ZULU 1110 , 1120 , 2110 , 2120  

Geography: GEOG 1310  

History: HIST 1222 , 1320 , 1330 , 2270 , 2460 , 2540 , HIST 2600  HIST 2700  3230 , 3231 , 3293 , 3410 , 3411 , 3450 , 3451 , 3452 , 3520  

Humanities: HUM 2170  

Interdisciplinary Health Studies: IHS 2190 , 2210 , 2220 ,2230 , 2235 , 3010  

International Literature - Linguistics: ILL 3890  

International Studies: INST 1010  INST 1100 , 1114 , 1400 , 1600 , 2222C  INST 2700  

Law Enforcement Technology: LET 2600  

Linguistics: LING 2750  

Management: MGT 2640 , 3600  

Media Arts and Studies: MDIA 3175  

Modern Languages: ML 2300 , 2400  

Music: MUS 1210  

Physical Education Teacher Education: PETE 2000  

Political Science: POLS 4400  

Retail Merchandising and Fashion Product Development: RFPD 1100  

Restaurant, Hotel and Tourism: RHT 1200  

Fine Arts (2FA)

Art: ART 1100 , 1120 , ART 1130  1600  

Art History: AH 2110 , 2120  

Dance: DANC 1700 , 2700 , 2710 , 3550 , 4710 , 4711 , 4750  

Fine Arts: FAR 1500  

Film: FILM 2010 , 2020  

Interdisciplinary Arts: IART 1170  , 1180  

Interdisciplinary Health Studies: IHS 2290  

Media Arts and Studies: MDIA 2701  

Music: MUS 1000 , 1200 , MUS 1220  1240 , 1250 , 3625  

Theater: THAR 1130 , 1710 , 1720 , 1730 , 2140C ,  THAR 2150  2710 , 2711  

Humanities and Literature (2HL)

African American Studies: AAS 1100 , 1500 , 2100 , 2110 , 2500 , 3500  

                College of Arts and Sciences: CAS 1110 , 1120  CAS 2110  

Classical Archaeology: CLAR 3660  

Classics and World Religions: CLWR 1810 , 2210 , 2220 , 2230 , 3310 , 3320  

Classics in English: CLAS 2300 , 2310 , CLAS 2320  2340 , CLAS 2350    2360 , CLAS 2390  2520 , 2530 , 2540 , 2550  

Communication Studies: COMS 1010 , 1030  

English: ENG 1600 , 2010 , 2020 , ENG 2200  2820 , 3350 , 3570 , ENG 3820  ,  3850  

Film: FILM 2030  

Foreign Languages and Literatures:

Greek: GK 2110 , 2120  

International Literature - Modern Languages: ILML 2901 , 2902 , 2903 , 2904 , 2905 , 2906 , 2907  

Latin: LAT 2110 , 2120  

History: HIST 1210 , 1220 , 2530  HIST 3550  

Humanities: HUM 2070 , 2080  

Interdisciplinary Health Studies: IHS 2215 , 3600   

Jewish Studies: JS 1000 , 2100  

Modern Languages: ML 2338  

Philosophy: PHIL 1010 , 1300 , 2160 , 2320 , 2400 , 2600 , 3100 , 3110 , 3120 , 3140  

Visual Communication: VICO 1000  

Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies: WGSS 1000 , 2800  

Natural Sciences (2NS)

Anthropology: ANTH 2010 , 3600  

Astronomy: ASTR 1000 , 1001 , 1400  

Biology: BIOL 1010  

Biological Sciences: BIOS 1000 , 1030 , 1300 , 1310 , 1700 , 1705 , 1710 , 2010 , 2020 , 2030 , 2035 , 2060 , 2100 , 2500  , 2750  

Chemistry and Biochemistry: CHEM 1210 , 1220 , 1510 , 1520  

Environmental and Plant Biology: PBIO 1000 , 1000L ,  1020 , 1090  1140 , 1150 ,  2090 , 2470  

Geography: GEOG 1100   

Geological Sciences: GEOL 1010 , 1200 , 1300 , 1400 , 2080 , 2090 , 2110 , 2210 , 2710  

                Nutrition: NUTR 1200

Physics: PHYS 2001 , 2002 , 2051 , 2052 , 2301  

Physical Science: PSC 1000 , 1001 , 1010 , 1011 , 1050 , 1051 , 1310 , 1400 , 2050  

Social Sciences (2SS)

African American Studies: AAS 1010 , 2020  

                Art: ART 2950  

Child and Family Studies: CFS 2700 , 2710 , 2720  

Classical Archeology: CLAR 2110 , 2120 , 2130 , 3650  

College of Arts and Sciences: CAS 1425 , 2500  

Communication Studies: COMS 3601 , 3602 , 3603  

Economics: ECON 1000 , 1030 , 1040 , 2020   

Education - Early Childhood: EDEC 1600  

Finance: FIN 2010  

Geography: GEOG 1200 , 1300 , 2500  

History: HIST 2000 , 2010 , 2200 , 2220 , 2300 , 2905 , 3500  

Human and Consumer Sciences: CONS 2500  

Journalism: JOUR 1050 , 2050  JOUR 2230  

Law Enforcement Technology: LET 1050  

Linguistics:LING 2700  

Management: MGT 2000  

Media Arts and Studies: MDIA 1091 , 2012 , 2113  , 2132  , 2305  

Physical Education Teacher Education: PETE 2100  

Political Science: POLS 1010 , 1500 , 1600 , 2000 , 2200 , 2300 , 2500 , 2700 , 4300  

Psychology: PSY 1010 , 2540  

Recreation: REC 2010  

Sociology: SOC 1000 , 2000  SOC 2300  

Social Work: SW 1000  

Sports Administration/Sports Management: SASM 1001   

Tier III Requirement

You are required to complete at least three hours in Tier III or Tier III–equivalent course(s). At least two of the three hours must be taken at senior rank (90 hours). This catalog contains a complete list of Tier III and equivalent courses available by going to Course Descriptions  and placing T3 in the keyword or phrase search or by clicking here. Approved courses are marked in the Course Descriptions section with T3 as the general education code. You may fulfill this requirement by taking at least 3 hours in Tier III–equivalent course(s) in your major; you should see your major advisor for information as to whether your discipline offers such a course or courses.

Like most universities, Ohio University requires that you be “in residence” for a certain number of credit hours in order to graduate. Some colleges have additional residency requirements, so check with your advisor or college student service’s office to make certain all requirements are being met.

Residence credit is defined as any credit earned by regular enrollment at Ohio University on the Athens campus or any regional campus or by Ohio University education abroad, any approved student teaching, online or distance education courses offered through eCampus, or any combination of these options.

Bachelor’s Degree

You must earn a minimum of 30 semester credit hours while enrolled at Ohio University; and you must earn a minimum of 50 percent of coursework taken to fulfill each of your major concentration, minor, or certificate requirements in residence with resident credit as defined above. A college may require more than 50 percent of Ohio University credit to fulfill a major concentration, minor, or certificate or have other additional residence requirements for a given program. A college may permit fewer than 50 percent of Ohio University credit to fulfill minor or certificate requirements for transfer credit approved in advance through education abroad programs in which a student participates while enrolled at Ohio University.

If you begin graduate study at Ohio University before completing all requirements for a bachelor’s degree, your residency requirement will be reduced by as many hours as credit hours of graduate work completed. The number of hours subtracted also will be credited toward the residency requirement for a master’s degree, if the credit is acceptable in the program approved for graduate work toward a degree. Residence credits used for meeting requirements for one or more bachelor’s degrees may not also be used for meeting the residency requirements for the graduate degree.

The residency requirements apply even if you have been approved for graduation in absentia and are completing your last year in an accredited institution, except that the regulations apply to residence before you leave the University. (See the In Absentia section below.)

Associate’s Degree (except Associate of Technical Study)

You must earn a minimum of 18 semester credit hours while enrolled at Ohio University; and you must earn a minimum of 50 percent of coursework taken to fulfill your major concentration in residence with resident credit as defined above. A college may require more than 50 percent of Ohio University credit to fulfill a major concentration or have other additional residence requirements for a given program.

Associate of Technical Study

You must earn a minimum of 18 semester credit hours while enrolled at Ohio University. The Associate of Technical Study program allows for courses of study from career technical schools not offered at Ohio University but which are approved by the Ohio Department of Higher Education under Career-Technical Credit Transfer to be accepted as majors.

To be considered for in absentia status, you must obtain permission from the student services office of your college. If you have been approved for the senior–in absentia privilege, you must complete a full year’s work in an Ohio University–approved professional school and be eligible for advancement without condition to the second year to obtain your bachelor’s degree in absentia. In absentia programs involve preplanned curricula and cannot be arranged on an ad hoc basis. The in absentia privilege does not apply to graduate degree programs.

The official transcript from the school you attend must be submitted to Undergraduate Admissions, Ohio University, Chubb Hall 120, Athens, OH 45701, before the degree conferral date.

Second Bachelor’s Degree

If you plan to earn two bachelor’s degrees, you may meet the requirements either simultaneously or successively:

1. To complete requirements for two bachelor’s degrees, you must meet the requirements for both degrees and must have completed 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 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.

Second Associate’s Degree

You cannot earn the same associate’s degree twice. Furthermore, you are not permitted to earn both the A.A. and A.S. degrees. If you have already earned the A.I.S. degree, you are not permitted to earn either the A.A. or A.S. degree. Although it is possible to complete an A.A.B. or A.A.S. degree with a double major, you can earn the degree only once. If an A.A. or A.S. has been completed previously, you will not be permitted to complete the A.I.S.

Associate’s Degree After a Bachelor’s Degree

Typically, the Associate in Individualized Studies degree is not an appropriate degree program for someone who previously has completed a bachelor’s degree. In special circumstances, a person who has completed a prior bachelor’s degree may petition the director of degree programs in University College to seek permission to complete the A.I.S. degree. The Associate in Arts or the Associate in Science degree will not be granted, if you have already earned a bachelor’s degree.

Application

Graduation is not automatic. To graduate and have your degree conferred you must apply for graduation. Candidates for graduation must make application and pay the application fee (non-OHIO Guarantee students only) no later than the deadline listed in the academic calendar for the semester in which graduation is planned. You can apply online at MyOHIO Student Center. Questions about applying for graduation should be directed to graduation@ohio.edu. This application initiates the process that informs your college to check for fulfillment of degree requirements. The process culminates with the entry of the college, major, minor, certificate, degree, and date of degree conferral on your permanent academic record. At the end of this process, your graduation grade point average and eligibility for honors are determined. They cannot be changed after graduation by completing additional coursework or retaking classes, although taking additional classes will affect your accumulative grade point average (GPA).

The application fee for all degrees is $50 for non-OHIO Guarantee students. If you fail to meet the requirements for graduation, you must reapply for the semester in which you plan to complete the requirements. Failure to reapply will result in you not graduating and your degree not being conferred. The fee for reapplication is $5. International students in F–1 or J–1 status are encouraged to see an advisor in International Student and Faculty Services during the semester in which they plan to graduate to discuss their immigration status.

Graduation with Honor

The GPA requirements for graduation with honor are: cum laude (with honor), 3.5 to 3.749; magna cum laude (with high honor), 3.75 to 3.899; and summa cum laude (with highest honor), 3.9 to 4.0. The Latin honors notation will appear on your diploma, transcript, and in the commencement program. Note: The commencement program honor notation for candidates is calculated based on your most recent accumulative GPA, approximately five weeks prior to the semester closing date. After grades are recorded, the final honor is determined and will appear on your transcript and diploma.

To be eligible for graduation with honor, you must complete a minimum of 30 hours of coursework with letter grades that affect your GPA in residence at Ohio University. Successful completion of a special honors program of study is noted in the commencement program and on your diploma. Graduation with honor applies only to bachelor’s degrees and does not apply to associate’s or graduate degrees.

Commencement Ceremonies

Commencement ceremonies are held at the end of fall and spring semesters.

If you are a candidate for spring semester graduation, or if you plan to complete your degree requirements at the end of the summer semester, you are eligible to attend spring commencement. In order to attend spring commencement, you must apply for graduation by the spring graduation application deadline.

If you are a candidate for fall semester graduation, or if you graduated summer semester, you are eligible to attend fall commencement. When you apply for graduation, please indicate your intent to attend commencement.

Commencement details will be sent to you after you have applied for graduation, provided you indicated your intention to attend the commencement ceremony when you submitted your graduation application.

Commencement information is available online at www.ohio.edu/commencement/. Direct any questions concerning commencement ceremonies to the Office of Event Services, 740.593.4020.

Transcripts

Degree-bearing transcripts will be available approximately four to six weeks after graduation. Transcripts may be ordered online, in person, by fax, or through the mail. If you wish your transcript(s) to indicate your recently conferred degree, you must specifically indicate this on your request. Please note that same day transcripts process immediately and may not include grades or degrees. If you are unsure if your degree has been conferred and you want your transcript to reflect degree conferral, please do not order a same day transcript. Transcripts will not be mailed for students with financial or other obligations to the University. If you have questions concerning your transcript, please contact the Office of the University Registrar, 740.593.4200 or transcripts@ohio.edu.

Diploma

At the conclusion of the semester, after grades are recorded, the college offering the degree for which you applied will review your degree audit report and academic record to determine whether you have completed all degree requirements. If you have completed all degree requirements your record will be updated to reflect the degree(s), minor(s), and certificate(s) earned. One diploma is printed for each degree completed and will be mailed to the address you provided on your application for graduation. This diploma is mailed approximately 6 - 8 weeks after the semester ends. An email will be sent to your OHIO email address indicating when your diploma is mailed. If your diploma mailing address changes or you have questions concerning your diploma, please contact the Office of the University Registrar, 740.593.4196 or graduation@ohio.edu. Please note that your diploma will not be mailed if you have financial or other obligations to the University.

Once your diploma is mailed you will be eligible to purchase a Certified Electronic Diploma (CeDiploma). A CeDiploma is an official, highly secure electronic copy of your Ohio University diploma that may be downloaded and shared for a lifetime. There is additional information on the CeDiploma on our website, including a brief video.

If you have not received your diploma within eight weeks after the close of the semester, please contact us at 740.593.4196 or graduation@ohio.edu. A letter will be mailed to you if you have not met your degree requirements and a diploma is not being mailed. You must reapply for graduation in the semester in which you will complete your degree requirements.