A&S Parent Information

• A Guide to Academic Requirements—How to Graduate in a Timely Manner

This guide is designed to help students understand what courses they will need in order to graduate from Ohio University in a timely manner. This information provides a sense of how University General Education requirements and College of Arts & Sciences requirements fit together over a four-year period.

Additional Resources

• A&S Office of Undergraduate Advising & Student Affairs
• Academic Procedures
• University Withdrawal Policy
• Probation, Suspension & Reinstatement
• Student Success and Support Services

Getting the MOST from Academic Advising

Advisers can serve as mentors, friends, references, instructors, and resources. Their expertise may enhance students' career and graduate and professional school options.

1. When in doubt about requirements or policies, students should inquire at the College of Arts & Sciences Office of Undergraduate Advising & Student Affairs, ask in the office of the student's major department, or meet with an advising coordinator of an academic department. Information and assistance is available from many sources at Ohio University. But, most of all, students need to learn how to read their DARS. DARS reports, which stands for degree audit reporting system, are accessible online 24-7.
2. A student should locate their success adviser's office early in the term and note office hours, telephone number, or e-mail address. (FYI: Office hours may change each term.) Students make an appointment to meet their advisers during the registration period each semester. The adviser will give students their DARS and lift the academic hold to enable the student to register for classes.
3. While success advisers are a valuable source of knowledge, they cannot be expected to select courses, plan schedules, or make academic decisions for students. IMPORTANT: The University's policy states that it is the student's responsibility to know and meet all requirements for graduation.
4. DROPPING A CLASS: Going online to register and/or to make any changes to a schedule is convenient and quick. Sometimes, instructors use the words "add" or "drop" when talking to students about a class. However, only students can make changes to their own registration. It's a good idea always to print a copy of changes made online for future verification, if needed.
5. OHIO policy for adding and dropping classes is very strict. After the fifth day of each term, students may no longer add classes without permission. It is still possible to enroll in a class until the end of week two with permission from faculty (using online permission requests). Changing grading status (i.e., credit to pass/fail or audit or vice-versa) or dropping unwanted classes also is allowed during this time. Courses dropped between weeks 3 thru 10 show on the DARS and transcript as WP/ WF (withdraw/pass or fail, determined by the instructor). After the 10th week of the term, courses cannot be dropped, except by a petition to the college and with documentation to substantiate the rationale of the late request. Only serious extenuating and documentable circumstances beyond the student's control are considered.
6. If students experience difficulties, they should meet with their instructors as soon as possible. It is essential to attend every class, sit near the front of the room, and participate in discussion. Organizing a study group, going to the Academic Achievement Center (AAC), or attending Supplemental Information Sessions (SI "help" sessions) are all proactive steps. Tutoring, arranged through AAC, is best done early in the term. A word of caution--after the 10th week has come and gone, it's too late to drop a class, even if the student is failing. Keep a close eye on the calendar.
7. Students may ask the instructor (not the College office) for permission using the online permission request to register for courses designated permission only or when a class is full. Permission is approved online by the instructor, and the student must accept and enroll by the 14th day of the term to enroll in a class that would otherwise be unavailable for registration.
8. Whether students are registering for classes or wanting to drop or add a course, it is important to make sure the correct course and class number has been entered. Students should print out their schedules and check their Ohio University email accounts frequently for messages from the Registrar and other campus offices. A&S Students receive a weekly electronic newsletter—A&S Forum—from the College every Tuesday with up-to-the-minute announcements, reminders, and information.
9. To improve GPAs, students should retake courses with poor grades as soon as possible, if they believe that they can earn a grade of "C" or higher. The original grade will be replaced with the most recent grade (whether higher or lower) and, although the former grade is not expunged from the permanent record, it is no longer calculated in the GPA. OHIO policy allows two additional retake attempts after the first try.
10. Students are highly encouraged to become well acquainted with their online "catalog of entry." The Undergraduate Catalog is their guide to success at Ohio University because it provides information about graduation requirements, as well as the policies, rules, and regulations of the University and college. For University policies, refer to the Guidelines and General Information sections; for information specific to the College or major, see the College of Arts & Sciences sections and courses of instruction.

AND, last but not least, a summary of questions parents frequently ask about adding and dropping classes, fee refunds, and more...

Q. "If my daughter misses the first class meeting, won't she automatically be dropped?"

A. No. If a student misses the first two contact hours of a course, the instructor does not have to admit the student back into class at the next meeting. If denied access, it is the student (NOT the instructor) who is responsible for dropping the course from her schedule. If it remains on the schedule, a failing grade--FN—failed/ never attended—is reported at the end of the term.

Q. "If my student dropped a class by the end of the second week, why don't we get a refund?"

A. There is one fee for a block of 12-20 credit hours so adjustments of credits that still fall within the 12-20 credit hour range do not affect the standard fee.

Q. "How will my son know whether to drop a class by the 10th week of class?"

A. The student should discuss whether or not to drop a course with the instructor. In general, students who have an average of "D" or lower should seriously consider dropping the course.