Advising and Student Services

Mission of the Office of Academic Programs and Student Services 

In support of the mission of the College of Public Health, The Office of Academic Programs and Student Services (OAPSS) in the College of Public Health through passionate, dedicated and experienced professionals is committed to providing student centered academic advising, recruitment, career services and success at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Academic Advising for Undergraduate Students

Undergraduate students are advised by professional staff in the Office of Academic Programs and Student Services (OAPSS) to facilitate student achievement of academic goals in a timely manner. This is achieved by providing dependable, accurate, friendly, respectful and professional services to students in the following areas:

• Major and pre-major requirements
• Course selection
• Petitions
• Honors
• Public health career and graduate school opportunities
• Graduation
• Public Health minors

Academic advisors are knowledgeable about other support resources and will refer as necessary. Self-reliance is encouraged by the College of Public Health by helping students make informed and responsible decisions; students are encouraged to be responsible for their own success and progress. One of the main functions of academic advisors is to help students select courses that best suit the student’s individual capabilities and educational goals. Students should arrange an appointment with their advisor in advance of registration to discuss their following term's course schedule.  Students are required to meet with their academic advisor at least one time per year (between July 1 and June 30).  Students who do not meet this requirement will have a Registration Lock Hold (preventing registration, adding classes, or moving off a wait list) placed on their Buckeyelink account until they meet with their academic advisor. (Excerpt from CPH Undergraduate Student Handbook)  

Undergraduate Advising Staff

Academic Advising for Graduate Students

Graduate students are assigned a faculty advisor at the beginning of their studies. Each graduate student is assigned a faculty advisor based on:

• Degree program
• Student’s stage within the program
• Students interests and/or research program

Students in the master’s degree programs usually need relatively little assistance early in the curriculum, and are more likely to consult the advisor for professional and career-oriented questions. Students are encouraged to discuss professional decisions, academic problems, or any other matters of interest with their advisors. This should not, however, prevent a student from approaching another member of the faculty when that would be helpful. Students in the MS and PhD programs rely more heavily on their advisors from the outset because the curriculum is more individually tailored. The advisor assignment reflects these differences.
(Excerpt from Section 3 of the CPH Graduate Student Handbook)

To reach a faculty advisor, students should search the College of Public Health Directory.

The Office of Academic Programs and Student Services (OAPSS) also works closely with graduate students, but primarily with admissions and recruitment functions as well as graduation and career services. 

Graduate Support Staff