All students enrolled (either part-time or full-time) are expected to maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA in all graduate work completed at The Ohio State University and maintain reasonable progress [GSH 5.4] toward Graduate School or graduate program requirements.

The following policy and procedures apply to all students in degree programs:

1. The faculty of the College of Public Health has determined that no course in which a grade of C- or below is earned may be counted as credit toward completion of the degree. If the student repeats the course in order to earn the hours, the original grade will continue to be in the cumulative point-hour ratio along with the new grade and hours.
2. A student whose graduate cGPA is below 3.0 after nine graduate credit hours of completed coursework will receive a warning letter from the Graduate School urging consultation with the advisor and graduate studies committee. For College of Public Health graduate students, the committee is the Academic Studies Governance Committee (ASGC). Section 5 of the Graduate School Handbook explains in detail the range of consequences that may result from inadequate performance.
3. In addition to the general Graduate School requirements of a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher, students must meet the following requirements as they apply to their degree programs:

MPH and MHA Degree Program Required Integrated Foundational Curriculum Courses: 

• Students are expected to earn a grade of B- or higher in each of the required integrated foundational curriculum courses. However, students may count a maximum of one foundational course if grade is below a B- provided the grade earned was no lower than a C. Also, as an alternative, any required foundational course in which a grade below B- was received may be repeated one time and counted provided the student earns a grade of B- or higher.

All MPH, MS and PhD Degree Program Required Specialization Courses: 

• Students are expected to earn a grade of B- or higher in each required degree program specialization course (even if taught outside the student's division). However, students may count a maximum of one specialization course in which a grade below B- was received provided the grade earned was no lower than a C. Any required specialization course may be repeated one time and counted provided the student earns a grade of B- or higher. The Associate Dean of Graduate Studies, in consultation with the student's advisor, may approve an equivalent alternative course as a substitute for retaking the same course. A student who fails to earn a grade of B- or better on a second attempt will be considered to have failed this requirement. 

Petition: 

• If a student does not meet the minimum grade criteria and options for the required foundational and/or required specialization courses as stated above, they may prepare and submit a petition to the Associate Dean of Graduate Studies and the ASGC Chair for their review and possible approval for course credit to count towards the degree. 
   

  MHA Required Specialization Courses: 

• Students are expected to earn a grade of B- or higher in each required MHA specialization course (even if taught outside the student's division). 

• If a student receives a grade below a B-, the course can be repeated one time. The Associate Dean of Graduate Studies, in consultation with the student's advisor, may approve an equivalent alternative course as a substitute for retaking the same course. If a grade of B- or higher is received in the repeated or substitute course, that new grade will count toward passing the course requirement. A student who does not earn a grade of B- or higher on a second attempt will have failed this requirement. 

  Petition: 

• If a student does not meet the minimum grade criteria  for the required MHA specialization courses as stated above, they may prepare and submit a petition to the Associate Dean of Graduate Studies and the ASGC Chair for their review and possible approval for course credit to count towards the degree. A waiver will not be granted absent extenuating circumstances.
   

4. Cases in which a student is not in compliance with the 3.0 GPA or reasonable progress requirements will be referred to the ASGC. Even if a student is in good standing with the Graduate School, there may be circumstances that warrant placing the student on probation, such as (1) failure to maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 prior to the completion of 9 graduate credit hours; (2) failure to maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 in any given semester; or (3) failure to show “reasonable progress” toward the degree, as determined on a case-by-case basis (see Section 5.4).
5. A probationary student who does not re-establish good standing within one semester will be warned that dismissal/denial of further registration is likely if the record does not improve.
6. A student placed on probationary status by the ASGC may petition the Committee for a hearing and reconsideration of the action. In the case that the ASGC does not reverse its decision, the student may direct an appeal to the Dean of the College of Public Health. The Dean will appoint an Ad Hoc Faculty Committee comprised of three faculty members (who at the time do not serve on the ASGC) to hear the case and recommend a course of action.