Academic Expectations

Ohio University operates on a plus/minus grading system, e.g., A (4.00), A- (3.67), B+ (3.33), B (3.00), B- (2.67), etc. Unconditional admission into the program requires an undergraduate grade point average (gpa) of 3.00 (B) or higher, or compensating evidence of the ability to perform at the graduate level. To remain in good standing in the program you must maintain this level of performance as a minimum. If your overall gpa drops below 3.00, you will be placed on academic probation immediately. At that time, you will have one semester (or the equivalent of 12 graduate credit hours) to raise your overall average to the 3.00 mark. Students on academic probation cannot receive any financial aid from Ohio University.

The lowest acceptable grade in a graduate course is a C. However, any student receiving more than one grade of C (at any time in his or her course of study) may be dropped from the program. In such a case, a formal meeting with the student and the graduate committee will be held to discuss the grades and the prospect of removal. Students must earn at least a B (3.00) in the required course (GEOG 5000) in order to receive credit for it, otherwise he or she must repeat the course and earn a grade of B (3.00) or better. A student who receives a grade lower than a C (2.00) in any course can be dropped from the program at the discretion of the graduate committee. If the student is allowed to remain in the program with a grade of less than C (2.00), the course and the hours in which the grade below C (2.00) were earned will not count toward the credit hour requirement for the degree.

At the end of spring semester, the graduate committee will conduct a review of your performance thus far in the program. The purpose of this review is to verify that you are making satisfactory progress toward the completion of your degree and that you are on track to fulfill all the requirements of the program on time. Working with your advisor, the graduate committee will:

• Examine your grade report, paying particular attention to courses completed and your GPA
• Identify course grades below B (3.00), as well as Incomplete (I) and Progress (PR) grades (indicating that course requirements have not been completed)
• Seek comments and recommendations from your advisor regarding your ability to complete the degree
• Request a timetable for completing I or PR grades, if any were noted

Students making adequate progress toward the degree are considered in good standing. Following the annual review by the graduate committee, any student found not to be in good standing will receive a letter to that effect from the graduate chair. Students receiving an assistantship or Graduate Recruitment Scholarship who are judged not to be in good standing will lose financial support. Students not in good standing may be terminated from the program on the advice of the graduate committee.

OU students must apply for graduation online via their MyOHIO portal early in the term in which they expect to graduate. The deadline to apply for graduation occurs approximately one month into the semester. If you are not able to complete the requirements for graduation as planned, the application for graduation must be renewed online (for a small fee) for a subsequent term.

Ohio University Academic Policies and Procedures stipulate that students must be registered for a minimum of 0.5 hours of graduate credit in any semester in which they receive any service from the University, use its facilities, or graduate. Individual degree programs may set higher minimum registration thresholds for certain services or uses.

The only exception to minimum enrollment is that you do not have to register for your graduation term if you meet the following conditions prior to the start of the first day of classes in the term you will officially graduate:

1. You were enrolled for at least one credit hour in the term prior to your graduation term
2. You have completed all required coursework and have no incomplete grades
3. You have completed all final projects and/or completed all required parts of the thesis or dissertation process by the posted deadlines

Students who were not registered at Ohio University in the term before they intend to apply for graduation must submit a request for re-enrollment.

Please note that the Commencement is optional and is a ceremonial occasion at which to celebrate your degree but does not indicate formal approval of your graduation. Students who are on track to complete all of their degree requirements during summer semester are welcome to participate in the Spring commencement.