General College Rules for Majors
Please consult a departmental representative for specifics.
Requirements for the major
The minimum requirement is a coherent program of related work amounting to not fewer than 40 hours of credit in course numbered 200 and above as prescribed by the student's faculty adviser. (Many departments require more than 40 hours). The major may consist either of courses offered in only one department or of courses found in several allied departments; however, at least 20 of the 40 hours are to be in courses offered by the department of the major unless the major is an interdisciplinary one.
Major courses may not be used to meet other curricular requirements except for the following areas: Category I.A.2 of the Liberal Arts Requirements (LAR), and Categories I.C, II.C.2 and IV of the General Education Curriculum (GEC).
Prerequisites to the major may be applied concurrently to other curricular requirements wherever they are listed among the options.
In order for a major to be approved with fewer than 20 hours of the program earned at The Ohio State University, the written approval of the faculty adviser, the chairperson of the department and the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies must be obtained.
Grade standards for the major
No course in which a grade lower than "C-" has been earned may be used to fulfill a major program requirement. If a student earns a "D+" or lower in a course on the major, the faculty adviser will decide whether the student should repeat the course or substitute another course in its place. It is incumbent upon the student to notify the faculty adviser if need for such action arises. Notice of the decision should be submitted in writing to the Arts and Sciences College Office.
Courses take on a Pass/Non-Pass basis may not be applied to the major.
Prerequisites to the major also may not be taken on a Pass/Non-Pass basis. Although grades of "D" may be accepted by some departments, others require a minimum "C-" for prerequisites; (consult your faculty adviser).
A minimum cumulative point-hour ratio of 2.00 in all courses comprising the major program is required for graduation.
Minimum hours required outside the department of the major
A minimum of 116 hours outside the department of the major is required for the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degree programs. This means that a maximum of 80 hours ( including 100-level courses) from a single department may be applied to the usual 196 hours required. If hours in excess of 80 are earned, the usual 196 hours requirement is increased by an equal number of hours.
For the Bachelor of Arts in Journalism the minimum hours required outside of Journalism is 141 hours.
Major changes
Changes in a major program may be made only with the written approval of the faculty adviser. The changes may be noted on a major program revision form, or the entire program may be rewritten on a new major form. The revision should be filed with the Arts and Sciences College Office at the time the approval is given.
If a change of major is desired, the student should file notice of the change in the college office, consult with a faculty adviser representing the new major and submit to the college office a major program form. It should be borne in mind that such changes may result in modifying graduation requirements to such an extent that the date of graduation will be delayed.
