BSSW
The Pre-Graduation Process
Social Work students do not have to submit an application for graduation. Leading to graduation, Columbus students who have successfully completed their Junior Year classes and are enrolled in Social Work 4188/4189 will receive an email from their academic advisor with a degree audit to indicate what requirements are left to complete their degree. This email will be sent to the student’s OSU email no later than the start of the semester prior to the student’s expected graduation term. For example, if the student’s anticipated graduation is Spring semester then they will receive an email from their advisor no later than the start of Autumn semester. Regional Campus students should connect with their program advisor to learn more about the pre-graduation process. Students are responsible to review their degree audit and schedule the appropriate classes so that they remain on track for graduation. If students have any questions regarding classes or progress made toward their degree, it is important to contact their academic advisor as soon as possible.
Name & Diploma Listing
All undergraduate students who successfully meet curriculum requirements will receive a Bachelor of Science in Social Work degree. The name that appears on your degree will match with what you have listed in the University Registrar’s Office. To check how your name will appear you can:
Log into your student center at buckeyelink.osu.edu and go to the “Main Menu” drop down box at the top of the page
- Click “Student Self Service”
- Click “Degree Progress/Graduation”
- Click “View Graduation Status”
If you would like to change the way your name appears on your degree, you must submit a “Change of Record” form along with appropriate documentation verifying your name change to the registar@osu.edu or drop off the form in person at the Student Academic Services building.
Latin Honors
Latin Honors are awarded based on students’ cumulative point-hour ratio (GPA) and number of earned credits as of the term penultimate to their graduation semester.
Latin Honors Defined
Cum laude:
- 3.500-3.699 cumulative grade-point average and
- completion of 60 graded semester hours at The Ohio State University
Magna cum laude:
- 3.700-3.899 cumulative grade-point average and
- completion of 60 graded semester hours at The Ohio State University
Summa cum laude:
- minimum 3.900 cumulative grade-point average and
- completion of 60 graded semester hours at The Ohio State University
There are no exceptions made to the above requirements; these are based on university rules. HOWEVER, should a student earn Latin Honors or a higher designation in the last term of enrollment, the higher honor will be awarded. A student is never “bumped down” from Latin Honors based on their last term of enrollment.
Latin Honors: Diplomas & Honors Cords
Latin Honors are printed on diplomas. If a student’s level of Latin Honor has bumped up or has newly earned Latin Honors, the academic advisor will try to get diplomas corrected during the graduation weekend. Final grades are reviewed on Friday and commencement is Sunday, so it is a tight turn around for the Registrar’s Office. This isn’t always possible, in which case then a student requests a corrected diploma from the Registrar’s Office.
The College of Social Work commencement staff will have honors cords available at the Evening of Recognition, Commencement, and their applicable rehearsals. Please approach a staff member who will verify your name and eligibility and give you the cord. All honors cords are scarlet and grey, regardless of level of Latin Honor. All students with current Latin Honor and newly added Latin Honor receive the cord.
Evening of Recognition
The College of Social Work’s Evening of Recognition is an event to celebrate the college’s graduating class! The College honors all graduating students from the undergraduate to graduate level in Spring. Students who are graduating that Spring, Summer, or Autumn term are more than welcome to invite family and guests to this special event! Remember that this is a night of celebration before Ohio State’s commencement; therefore, diplomas will not be given out at this event.
Information about the Evening of Recognition, RSVP instructions, and the rehearsal process will be e-mailed to graduating students as we get closer to Spring Commencement!
Minors
University-approved minor programs are available to undergraduate students in the College of Social Work as an option to complement or enhance their major programs; however, minor programs are not required in the College of Social Work. Students pursuing a minor may count their minor coursework toward the required Social Work Electives.
With regards to graduation, students pursuing minors are required to seek written approval from the department offering the minor and to present such approval to their academic advisor at the College of Social Work as soon as possible. Students pursuing minors should talk with their academic advisor to understand how minor courses can be used toward the social work electives.
Commencement
For further information about commencement, including dates, rehearsal, and instructions for commencement day, check the official website for the event at Ohio State here.
Students Unable to Attend Commencement
If a student is unable to attend commencement, a commencement excused form must be filled out. The completed form must then be submitted to the academic advising office by the 10th week of the semester in which the student plans to graduate. An electronic copy of the form can be found here.
MSW
The Pre-Graduation Process
MSW students who are planning to graduate must submit an application to graduate at the start of your final term. The University utilizes the Graduate School’s online forms system: https://gradforms.osu.edu/. All students who will be applying to graduate will need to access the application to graduate by using this system. Detailed information regarding Gradforms can be found here. You should read through the information before going to Gradforms and submitting any form. A few things to keep in mind when completing your application: 1) Unless you are completing a thesis, check the box that says, “Course Based option” 2) There is no advisor or committee member name needed, UNLESS you are completing a Thesis 3) DO NOT check the “End of Semester” box Once you submit the application, it will come to the MSW Program Office and we will complete a graduation audit to make sure you have everything needed to approve the application. Remember, you MUST be enrolled in at least 3 credit hours of course work for the semester in which you plan to graduate. MSW students wear a black robe, black cap, black tassel and a citron hood to commencement and Evening of Recognition. These items can be bought at campus bookstores.
Commencement
For further information about commencement, including dates, rehearsal, and instructions for commencement day, check the official website for the event at Ohio State here. Students Unable to Attend Commencement If a student is unable to attend commencement, a commencement excused form must be filled out. The completed form must be submitted to The Graduate School. An electronic copy of the form can be found here.
Evening of Recognition
The College of Social Work’s Evening of Recognition is an event to celebrate the college’s graduating class! The College honors all graduating students from the undergraduate to graduate level in Spring. Students who are graduating that Spring, Summer, or Autumn term are more than welcome to invite family and guests to this special event! Remember that this is a night of celebration before Ohio State’s commencement; therefore, diplomas will not be given out at this event. Information about the Evening of Recognition and the rehearsal process will be e-mailed to graduating students as we get closer to Spring Commencement! For a quick look at how the hooding is going to be done, please click on this link.