Academic Programs

The University has admission and retention standards that apply to all undergraduates. The following policy pertains to any additional admission and retention standards proposed by academic units.

Proposals for the addition of admission or retention standards to existing major or college requirements require a "Change Major" or "Change College Requirements" proposal via the Curriculum Proposal System. Standards for a new instructional program are included in the new program proposal.

Curricular need should drive admission and retention standards. Ideally, lack of resources for a program should be addressed through regular budgetary procedures; however, if standards must be used to control the size of a program, then only changes to admission standards will be considered for approval. Any retention standards beyond those for the entire University must be justified based solely upon demonstrated academic and curricular necessity.

Proposals to change admissions or retention standards should be clearly justified through specific reference to one or more of the following criteria for evaluating curricular or academic necessity:

• A professional program that leads directly to employment, which often must have specialized criteria.
• A program accredited by an external professional accrediting organization with accreditation standards that bear upon the proposed admission/retention requirements.
• Practicums or internships that involve responsibilities requiring exceptional competence or level of performance.
• Demonstrated surplus of graduates relative to the demand for graduates.
• Demonstrated need for a high level of performance required to successfully complete a certain program or certain courses.
• Faculty Senate Curriculum Council policy, which dictates that students complete a course in the major with a passing grade of C or better.

Any new proposed admission or retention standards must discuss mechanisms designed to alert and assist students who are not on track to meet the new standards, and who may need to change to another major.

All new admission and retention standards will be implemented with a new catalog, allowing students to select their catalog year based on their pre-program status. Courses deemed equivalent to OSU courses that were taken at a community college or other four-year institution must be treated the same as OSU-equivalent courses.  The University does not discriminate against students who transfer equivalent courses to OSU.

The opportunities for students to petition for exceptions must be clearly stated.

Retention standards must allow for a period of probation during which a student who does not meet criteria for retention but who comes close may attempt to improve their academic performance to that level necessary for them to remain in the program.