Semester Conversion and the Transitional Academic Plan (TAP)

Semester Conversion

The Ohio State University will be transitioning from a quarter calendar to a semester calendar in the summer of 2012.  If you have questions about semester conversion, view the university's Frequently Asked Questions page.

•  Visit MYSWITCH for more information about semester conversion!

Pledge to Undergraduate Students

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

1. Students completing a quarter-plus-semester degree program will receive approximately the same amount of instruction as under a quarter calendar. 
2. 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.
3. The change should not adversely affect students’ financial aid.
4. Academic units will continue to provide intentional, purposeful advising. 
5. 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

1. decide on their major and degree within a time compatible with four-year graduation;
2. meet the standards for progress defined by their academic unit and continue to complete appropriate course loads successfully; and
3. actively develop and follow academic plans in consultation with their academic advisors. 

Semester Conversion Information Sessions

The Fisher College of Business Undergraduate Programs and Advising Office will be holding several information sessions on the transition from quarters to semesters at Ohio State.  Look for an email from your academic advisor about upcoming sessions.

Transitional Academic Plan (TAP)

Many students at Ohio State will be required to complete a Transitional Academic Plan (TAP).  The TAP is designed to help students plan and schedule their classes while the university transitions from a quarter system to a semester system.  All students will fall under one of the following three categories:

1.  TAP required--Quarters

These students have been identified as students who could potentially graduate by Spring 2012.  They are required to complete a TAP prior to Autumn 2011 and submit a graduation application three quarters in advance of graduation

2.  TAP required--Semesters

These are students who cannot graduate by Spring 2012 and will be transitioning to semesters.  They are required to submit a TAP and complete a graduation application three quarters in advance of graduation.

3.   No TAP required

These students have indicated that they intend to graduate prior to Summer 2012 by either (a) completing a graduation application or (b) selecting the ‘no help required’ option from the graduation planning session survey.  They are not required to complete a TAP.

If you select 'no help required' you are indicating that you will not be working with an advisor to plan your schedule before graduation, and you will not be completing a TAP.  You agree to the terms of the Pledge and you take full responsibility for your academic planning process during the Semester Conversion.