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The undergraduate catalog is published for an academic year, which comprises fall through summer semesters. For example, the 2023-2024 academic year is fall 2023, spring 2024 and summer 2024. The catalog in effect for the term in which you first enroll in a degree program 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 enrollment in a degree program, your college may choose to update either or both catalogs as they pertain to the requirements for graduation. Offices responsible for enforcing other University policies, such as graduation with honor, for example, may apply to 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:
*For the 2023-24 academic year, the Mechatronics Technician Certificate and Automation Technician Certificate may be awarded without a degree.
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. 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.
Ohio University believes that, as an educated person, you need certain intellectual skills in order to participate effectively in society. These include the ability to:
To help you meet these objectives, Ohio University has instituted a five-category general education requirement known as BRICKS. Courses offer learning opportunities to achieve breadth of knowledge and common goals learning outcomes. All baccalaureate degree students (except those in Honors Tutorial College) must complete Ohio University’s BRICKS requirements.
Foundations ground general education. Foundation courses provide you with opportunities to learn to communicate effectively through writing, to reason quantitatively, and to build global and domestic intercultural knowledge and competence.
Written Communication. Three credit hours of Written Communication coursework is required. Either ENG 1510 - Writing and Rhetoric I (3 hours) or ENG 1610 - Freshman Composition: Writing and Rhetoric (4 hours) (for non-native English speakers only) will satisfy the Written Communication requirement.
Advanced Writing. Three credit hours of Advanced Writing coursework is required. Below is a complete list of approved Advanced Writing courses. Courses that meet the Advanced Writing requirement are marked in the catalog with the designation Foundation: Advanced Writing under OHIO BRICKS. It may be possible to fulfill this requirement by taking at least three credit hours in your major; you should see your major advisor for information as to whether your discipline offers such a course or courses.
Quantitative Reasoning. You must demonstrate or acquire an acceptable level of quantitative reasoning to satisfy graduation requirements. Three credit hours of Quantitative Reasoning coursework or Placement Level 3 is required. The University uses a combination of your ACT or SAT Math sub-score and your high school GPA to determine an initial math placement or exemption. Students in some majors are required to have a math placement regardless of transfer or advanced placement credit in order to meet the 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.
Students without high school GPA, ACT or SAT scores, advanced placement math credit, or a transferable math course must take a math placement test. To determine if you should take a math placement test and to learn how to do so go to the Math Placement website.
Athens Campus and eCampus students should direct questions to the College of Arts & Sciences at cas.undergrad@ohio.edu or 740.593.2846. Regional campus and eCampus students should contact their student services offices for math placement information.
To enroll in any mathematics (MATH) or other quantitative reasoning course, you must place at the required placement level for that course or satisfy the appropriate requisites. Quantitative reasoning courses are marked in this catalog with the designation Foundation: Quantitative Reasoning under OHIO BRICKS.
DV (Developmental): Placement at this level indicates the need for additional support necessary to complete a quantitative reasoning course. Students with a DV placement are strongly encouraged to talk to their advisors about enrolling in a co-requisite course (MATH 1060L , 1200L , 1500L , PHIL 1200L , or PSY 1110L ) along with the corresponding quantitative course. Alternatively, students may take MATH D004 - Intermediate Algebra with PreAlgebra (5 hours) or MATH D005 - Intermediate Algebra (4 hours) , which are offered through the regional campuses, as a pre-requisite for a quantitative reasoning course.
Note: Students who need MATH 1350 - Survey of Calculus (4 hours) should enroll first in MATH 1200 and then take MATH 1350 . Students who need MATH 2301 - Calculus I (4 hours) should begin with MATH 1200 - College Algebra (4 hours) , then take MATH 1300 - Pre-Calculus (4 hours) , and then MATH 2301 . Students cannot earn credit for both MATH 1350 and 2301 .
Note: MATH 1300 - Pre-Calculus (4 hours) is the requisite course for MATH 2301 - Calculus I (4 hours) . 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 reasoning competence sufficient to fulfill the quantitative reasoning requirement. If your major requires that you enroll in a quantitative reasoning course, placement at Level 3 indicates preparation for MATH 2301 - Calculus I (4 hours) 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.
Intercultural Explorations. Two credit hours of Intercultural Exploration coursework is required. The following courses fulfill the intercultural explorations requirement and are marked in this catalog with the designation Foundation: Intercultural Explorations under OHIO BRICKS.
Pillars support breadth of knowledge. Pillar courses provide you with opportunities to acquire subject-matter knowledge and learn the methods of inquiry associated with the humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences. Through breadth of knowledge, Pillar courses will enable you to explore multiple viewpoints, ideas, and disciplines important for any career. Note: A course cannot apply toward both pillars and arches.
Humanities: Texts and Contexts. Three credit hours of Humanities: Texts and Contexts coursework is required. The following courses fulfill the Humanities: Texts and Contexts requirement and are marked in this catalog with the designation Pillar: Humanities: Texts and Contexts under OHIO BRICKS.
Humanities: Arts. Three credit hours of Humanities: Arts coursework is required. The following courses fulfill the Humanities: Arts requirement and are marked in this catalog with the designation Pillar: Humanities: Arts under OHIO BRICKS.
Natural Sciences. Three credit hours of Natural Science coursework is required. The following courses fulfill the Natural Sciences requirement and are marked in this catalog with the designation Pillar: Natural Sciences under OHIO BRICKS.
Social or Behavioral Sciences. Three credit hours of Social or Behavioral Science coursework is required. The following courses fulfill the Social or Behavioral Sciences requirement and are marked in this catalog with the designation Pillar: Social or Behavioral Sciences under OHIO BRICKS.
Arches span disciplinary perspectives. Arch courses provide you with opportunities to explore a single topic through multiple liberal arts disciplines. Arch courses also offer opportunities for you to develop your critical thinking and teamwork skills. To complete the requirement, you are required to take at least three credit hours from each of the Connected World, Constructed World, and Natural World courses listed below. Note: A course cannot apply toward both pillars and arches.
Connected World. Three credit hours of Connected World coursework is required. The following courses fulfill the Connected World requirement and are marked in this catalog with the designation Arch: Connected World under OHIO BRICKS.
Constructed World. Three credit hours of Constructed World coursework is required. The following courses fulfill the Constructed World requirement and are marked in this catalog with the designation Arch: Constructed World under OHIO BRICKS. Quantitative courses in the Constructed World (indicated with an asterisk) can, if necessary, be used to satisfy the Foundations: Quantitative Reasoning requirement instead. In such cases, another Constructed World course must be used to fulfill this Arch requirement.
Natural World. Three credit hours of Natural World coursework is required. The following courses fulfill the Natural World requirement and are marked in this catalog with the designation Arch: Natural World under OHIO BRICKS.
You are encouraged (but not required) to take courses from a single Arch theme in order to build your critical thinking and teamwork skills through multiple liberal arts disciplines focused on the same broad topic. Descriptions of the Arch themes are provided below:
The Global Connections Theme explores diverse cultural, economic, social, political, biological, and ecological systems in historical and contemporary contexts, with an emphasis on interconnections that shape our local and global communities. Courses examine the form and movement of people, ideas, resources, technologies, and processes within and across borders. Learn how to communicate across cultures, work in diverse global contexts, and become a successful global citizen in a rapidly changing multicultural world. The following courses fall under the Global Connections Theme:
The Health and Wellness Theme explores interconnections between minds, bodies, and society that affect our personal and community health and well-being. These interconnections include local, regional, national, and global systems of nourishment, caregiving, healing, support, recovery, and health care, both past and present. Courses in this Theme also examine contributors to illness, disease, injury, and death as well as ways in which social, economic, environmental, and political inequities adversely affect health and wellness. Learn how to optimize quality of life through healthy nutrition, exercise, and other lifestyle choices and how personal well-being is connected to the public policies, social norms, and general welfare of our communities. The following courses fall under the Health and Wellness Theme:
The Science and Technology Theme explores the grand landscape of science, technology, and society, and the interplay among them. Learn how to synthesize the insights from different disciplines and critically evaluate the reciprocal influence of these areas on one another. The following courses fall under the Science and Technology Theme:
The Society and Justice Theme examines the interdependency of social norms and law, and how this relationship in turn shapes conceptions of justice. In this Theme, students will learn how individuals and groups use socio-political, scientific, and legal tools to mobilize for justice and the kinds of barriers they encounter along the way. Learn how your voice and actions can play a role in positive social change. The following courses fall under the Society and Justice Theme:
The Sustainability Theme encompasses the three pillars of environmental health, social equity, and economic vitality, with the goal of creating thriving, healthy, diverse, and resilient communities for this generation and generations to come. The Sustainability Theme places emphasis on critical thinking and teamwork directed at sustainability issues, problems, and solutions. Achieving sustainability will require an understanding of human and environmental systems and the complex interactions between them, from local to global levels. This theme invites you to envision a meaningful future, to explore your own personal values, and to think critically about economic, social, political, cultural, and scientific assumptions about humans’ relationships to the environment. The following courses fall under the Sustainability Theme:
Bridges connect common goals to disciplines. Bridge courses provide you with opportunities to develop specific abilities frequently sought by employers and important to an educated society.
Speaking & Listening. One credit hour of Speaking & Listening coursework is required. This catalog contains a complete list of Speaking and Listening courses marked with the designation Bridge: Speaking and Listening under OHIO BRICKS. To identify Speaking and Listening courses, place “Speaking and Listening” in the keyword or phrase search from the Course Descriptions page.
Ethics & Reasoning. One credit hour of Ethics & Reasoning coursework is required. This catalog contains a complete list of Ethics and Reasoning courses marked with the designation Bridge: Ethics and Reasoning under OHIO BRICKS. To identify Ethics and Reasoning courses, place “Ethics and Reasoning” in the keyword or phrase search from the Course Descriptions page.
Diversity & Practice. One credit hour of Diversity & Practice coursework is required. This catalog contains a complete list of Diversity and Practice courses marked with the designation Bridge: Diversity and Practice under OHIO BRICKS. To identify Diversity and Practice courses, place “Diversity and Practice” in the keyword or phrase search from the Course Descriptions page.
Learning & Doing. One credit hour of Learning & Doing coursework is required. This catalog contains a complete list of Learning and Doing courses marked with the designation Bridge: Learning and Doing under OHIO BRICKS. To identify Learning and Doing courses, place “Learning and Doing” in the keyword or phrase search from the Course Descriptions page.
Capstones complete general education. Capstone courses provide you with opportunities to integrate and apply what you have learned throughout your learning journey.
Two credit hours of Capstone coursework is required. This catalog contains a complete list of Capstone courses marked with the designation Capstone under OHIO BRICKS. To identify Capstone courses, place “Capstone” in the keyword or phrase search from the Course Descriptions page. It may be possible to fulfill this requirement by taking at least two credit hours in your major; you should see your major advisor for information as to whether your discipline offers such a course or courses.
Students completing Ohio University’s applied associate degrees are required to complete 15 credit hours of Ohio Transfer 36-approved coursework including:
To complete the minimum 15 credit hours of Ohio Transfer 36-approved coursework, students may also complete OHIO’s Ohio Transfer 36-approved Second Writing course, ENG 2800 - Writing with Research (3 hours) or OHIO’s Ohio Transfer 36-approved Oral Communication course, COMS 1030 - Fundamentals of Public Speaking (3 hours) .
Students completing Ohio University’s Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees are required to complete 36 hours of Ohio Transfer 36-approved coursework with a minimum of 24 semester hours from the following:
To complete the minimum 36 credit hours of Ohio Transfer 36-approved coursework, students may also complete OHIO’s Ohio Transfer 36-approved Second Writing course, ENG 2800 - Writing with Research (3 hours) and/or OHIO’s Ohio Transfer 36-approved Oral Communication course, COMS 1030 - Fundamentals of Public Speaking (3 hours) .
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 OHIO Online/eCampus, or any combination of these options.
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 at an accredited institution, except that the regulations apply to residence before you leave the University. (See the In Absentia section below.)
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.
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 pre-planned 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.
If you plan to earn two bachelor’s degrees, you may meet the requirements either simultaneously or successively:
You cannot earn the same associate’s degree twice. Furthermore, you are not permitted to earn both the Associate in Arts (A.A.) and Associate in Science (A.S.) degrees. If you have already earned the Associate in Individualized Studies (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 Associate in Applied Business (A.A.B.) or Associate in Applied Science (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.
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.
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 Scholar Services during the semester in which they plan to graduate to discuss their immigration status.
*For the 2023-24 academic year, students in Mechatronics Technician Certificate program or the Automation Technician Certificate program must apply to have the certificate awarded. The application fee per certificate is $25.00.
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 certificates, associate’s degrees, nor graduate degrees.
Commencement ceremonies are held at the end of fall and spring semesters.
If you are a degree 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 degree 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.
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.
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 six - eight 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.
At the conclusion of the semester, after grades are recorded, your degree audit report and academic record will be reviewed to determine whether you have completed all certificate requirements. If you have completed all certificate requirements your record will be updated to reflect the certificate(s) earned. One certificate is printed for each certificate completed and will be mailed to the address you provided on your application for graduation. This certificate is mailed approximately six - eight weeks after the semester ends. An email will be sent to your OHIO email address indicating when your certificate is mailed. If your address changes after you submit your Application for Graduation or you have questions concerning your certificate, please contact the Office of the University Registrar, 740.593.4196 or graduation@ohio.edu. Please note that your certificate will not be mailed if you have financial or other obligations to the University.
Once your certificate is mailed you will be eligible to purchase a Certified Electronic Certificate (CeCertificate). A CeCertificate is an official, highly secure electronic copy of your Ohio University certificate that may be downloaded and shared for a lifetime. There is additional information on the CeCertificate on our website, including a brief video.
If you have not received your certificate 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 certificate requirements and a certificate is not being mailed. You must reapply for graduation in the semester in which you will complete your certificate requirements.
