FAQ

When does the semester system begin?

Summer 2012. The 7-week Summer Term will be followed directly by the 14-week Autumn Semester, which begins August 22, 2012. See the academic calendar for 2012-17.

Will I still be able to graduate on time?

Yes - provided you work closely with your academic advisor, beginning now, to develop an academic plan toward timely graduation. Your academic advisor will have access to a transition plan for your major. Work with your advisor to make sure that you are making expected progress towards your degree. (See the Pledge to Students for more details.)

How will semesters affect Commencement?

When Ohio State converts to the semester calendar, there will be three Commencement ceremonies each year: at the end of Autumn Semester, at the end of Spring Semester, and at the end of Summer Term. Note, however, that May Session and Summer Session are both part of the Summer Term, so there will not be a separate Commencement at the end of May Session.

Commencements will be held on the Sunday following the end of the final exam period. This means that Autumn Commencement will take place usually in the third week of December (in 2012, Autumn Commencement is on Sunday, December 16); Spring commencement will take place usually at the end of the first week of May (in 2013, Spring Commencement is on Sunday, May 5); and Summer Commencement will take place usually at the beginning of August (in 2012, Summer Commencement is on Sunday, August 12)

When do classes begin and end each year under the semester system?

Generally, autumn semester classes begin on Wednesday of the third or fourth week in August and end the first week in December. Spring semester classes typically begin on Monday of the second week in January and end the third week in April. Dates for academic-year 2012-2013 are available on the academic calendar.

How will I know what courses taken under quarters will count toward my degree when I graduate on the semester calendar?

Please continue to work with your advisor during this transition. One tool that will be helpful is the Quarter-to-Semester Course Conversion Guide, as it displays the quarter to semester equivalent courses. Please note that not all courses are available, as many are still being reviewed and approved. For those semester courses that have been approved, their quarter-equivalent course number is included from a search menu. Details concerning the sequence or if a bridge course are also available through the guide.

Will tuition cost more under the semester system?

No. Full-time tuition for an academic year under semesters will not cost more than what the cost of tuition for that same year would be under quarters. (See the Pledge to Students.)

Will three classes per semester be considered full-time?

No. Under the semester system, you have more time to complete assignments for each class, so you need to take more than three classes for full-time status. If you want to graduate in four years, you are most likely going to take five classes per semester; however, this does depend on your program. Work with your academic advisor to develop your graduation plan.

How will the hours I have earned under quarters be combined with the hours I will earn under semesters?

The registrar's office will multiply the credit hours taken on the quarter system by .67 to calculate total semester credit hour equivalent.

Each college and department is working individually on plans for transitioning its courses from quarters to semesters to make the move go smoothly for students.

What if I'm in the middle of courses that must be taken in a series when the conversion occurs?

Each college and department is working individually on plans for transitioning its courses from quarters to semesters to make the move go smoothly for students.

What if I change my major before the semester conversion happens?

Nearly all decisions regarding major requirements, credit transfers, etc., will be handled at the college or department level. Consult with your academic advisor on how changing your major will affect required courses and time to graduation.

What are the benefits to Ohio State students of a semester calendar

  • It’s easier to transfer credits from or to another college or university. More than 90% of American universities use a semester calendar.
  • A 15-week semester gives students more time to learn course material.
  • Ohio State students enter the job market (as graduates or for summer jobs) at the same time as those attending other universities and are not disadvantaged by the quarter schedule with its mid-June end.
  • It creates more opportunities for studying abroad and taking part in other learning opportunities outside the campus.
  • There is more time for summer internships, and the dates match better with industry, clinical, and business schedules.
  • Students only need to register for classes, pay fees and complete other administrative work twice a year rather than three times.
  • Revising courses for the transition provided faculty with an opportunity to update the curricula and program requirements.

Will I be able to graduate in a Spring Semester by completing a class in the May Session immediately following Commencement?

May Session will be part of Summer Term, not Spring Semester. Students who finish their degree requirements during a May Session will graduate at the end of Summer Term in early August.