OSU Sociology Department’s Pledge to Students
We are committed to ensuring that students who began their degree under quarters will not be penalized under semesters, either in terms of progress towards their degree or their expected date of graduation.
Required courses in the major will not change during semester conversion. We therefore expect students to complete the pre-requisite, 4 required courses, and the integrated elective. However, the number of elective courses needed to complete the major program will increase, and it is here that the department is flexible. Under the quarter system, students are required to take a minimum of 12 courses in the major (including the pre-requisite) with 6 of the courses elective. Under semesters, students will be required to take 14 courses (including the pre-requisites) 8 of which are elective. We will advise students to complete 14 courses for graduation if it is possible, but we will be flexible with students that started their academic career at OSU under the quarter system. For those students we will accept no less that 12 courses in the major including the 6 required courses listed above to satisfy major program requirements.
Students should meet with their major advisors to make sure they understand their requirements.
OSU’s Semester Conversion Pledge to Students
In planning and implementing its conversion from quarters to semesters for summer 2012, The Ohio State University is committed to protecting the academic progress of students.
How Ohio State Will Protect Students’ Academic Progress:
- Students completing a quarter-plus-semester degree program will receive approximately the same amount of instruction as under a quarter calendar.
- Full-time tuition (general and instructional fees) for an academic year under semesters will not cost more than tuition for that same year would have cost under quarters.
- The change should not adversely affect students’ financial aid.
- Academic units will continue to provide intentional, purposeful advising.　
- Good planning around a student’s major will be particularly important, and the university will provide that support to students who begin their academic career under quarters and complete it under semesters.
The Importance of Advising:
Students will vary considerably in their academic progress, and each student’s plan for completing degree requirements will need to be determined individually. This means that students and their advisors must work together to develop effective plans leading to timely graduation as the university converts to semesters. Academic advisors will understand how the changes in courses and curricula may affect students’ degree programs, will know where and how programs can be flexible, and will be prepared to assist students in planning their remaining time to graduation.
What Students Must Do to Protect Their Academic Progress:
- Decide on their major and degree within a time compatible with four-year graduation.
- Meet the standards for progress defined by their academic unit and continue to complete appropriate course loads successfully.
- Actively develop and follow academic plans in consultation with their academic advisors.