The Ohio State University School of Communication

Semester Conversion

The Ohio State University is converting from quarters to semesters in Summer 2012!

Academic advisors in the School of Communication are committed to working with students in developing effective plans leading to timely graduation as the university converts to semesters. The School of Communication's Undergraduate Advising Office has developed initiatives to assist students majoring in communication or journalism, as well as for pre-major students not yet admitted to the School. Please thoroughly read the following information. If you have questions or need additional information about semester conversion, view the university's Semester Conversion information page or visit MySwitch.

Graduating before Summer 2012?

Schedule a meeting with your major advisor in the School of Communication ASAP (no later than the end of Autumn quarter) to complete a Graduation Planning Worksheet to project graduation before the semester conversion.
Meet with your Arts & Sciences advisor in 100 Denney Hall to discuss remaining GEC requirements and to apply for graduation.

NOTE: It is recommended to apply for graduation early in the quarter prior to the quarter of graduation to receive priority “Graduating Senior” scheduling for your last quarter.

Graduating after Summer 2012?

If you plan to graduate after spring quarter 2012, you will graduate under semesters. You will complete a TAP (transition academic plan) to assist you in planning your remaining coursework at OSU.
The TAP will be completed with your Arts & Sciences advisor, but you will need to meet with your major advisor in the School of Communication to plan future coursework in the major. The School of Communication has developed a Transitional Academic Planning Worksheet as a tool to be used during the major portion of the TAP.
During autumn quarter 2011, a transitional degree audit will be available, which will convert your quarter courses and hours to semester courses and hours. Release of transitional degree audit is TBA.

Communication and Journalism Major Planning Information

Rank 3 and 4 Majors

Please schedule an individual appointment with an advisor in the School of Communication to complete the Graduation Planning Worksheet (if graduating by Summer 2012) or the School of Communication's Transitional Academic Planning Worksheet (if graduating after Summer 2012). Plans must be completed during a scheduled appointment, and will not be completed during regular walk-in hours.
Plans should be completed no later than the end of Autumn quarter for all Rank 3 and 4 students.

Rank 1 and 2 Majors

Complete the School of Communication's Transitional Academic Planning Worksheet on your own using your current curriculum sheet and the Quarter-to-Semester Courses document.
Bring completed worksheet to TAP Tuesdays. Beginning the 3rd week of Autumn quarter, there will be an advisor available all day Tuesday for walk-in review of completed TAP worksheets with Rank 1 and 2 students.
Individual advising appointments for Rank 1 and 2 students are to be reserved for regular, quarterly advising concerns. TAP worksheets will not be completed with students during individual appointments.

Pre-Major Planning Information

Rank 3 and 4 Pre-Majors

Please schedule an individual appointment with an advisor in the School of Communication to complete the Transitional Academic Planning Worksheet for Pre-Majors and to discuss admission requirements. (NOTE: Completion of a TAP worksheet with a major advisor does not guarantee admission to the major.)
Plan to apply to the major no later than spring quarter 2012. Students admitted to the major Summer 2012 or later will follow the new semester major requirements. Students admitted prior to Summer 2012 will follow the current major requirements.

Rank 1 and 2 Pre-Majors

Complete the School of Communication's Transitional Academic Planning Worksheet for Pre-Majors on your own. (NOTE: Completion of a TAP worksheet with a major advisor does not guarantee admission to the major.)
Bring completed worksheet to TAP Tuesdays. Beginning the 3rd week of Autumn quarter, there will be an advisor available all day Tuesday for walk-in review of completed TAP worksheets with Rank 1 and 2 students.
Plan to apply to the major as soon as pre-major coursework is completed. Students admitted to the major Summer 2012 or later will follow the new semester major requirements. Students admitted prior to Summer 2012 will follow the current major requirements.

Pledge to Undergraduate Students (adapted from OAA's Semester Conversion)

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; and<
Actively develop and follow academic plans in consultation with their academic advisors.